About Us

 The Rocky Mountain NASA Space Grant Consortium was formed on September 1, 1989, after the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program was established by the U.S. Congress. As one of the founding Consortia in the Nation, our initial institutions included Utah State University, University of Utah, University of Denver, and ATK Launch Systems. The Rocky Mountain NASA Space Grant Consortium name was changed to the Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium in 2012 as at that time there were Space Grant programs active in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.

What We Do

The Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium seeks to develop a comprehensive program devoted to providing opportunities for students, faculty, and the general public throughout Utah to engage with NASA’s aeronautics and space missions.

  • Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium (UNSGC) seeks to accomplish this through unique opportunities in higher education, research, K-12, and informal education. Our statewide network of 19 affiliate members includes three PhD granting institutions of higher education and research, one industrial member, eight masters/bachelors/associates degree-granting institutions, two government centers, and five outreach institutions who work together to support NASA Mission Directorates and the needs of the State of Utah.

    Due to Utah’s unique demographics and the youngest median age in the nation, our student population will continue to expand into the foreseeable future. The Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium (UNSGC) seeks to contribute to the preparation and diversity of NASA’s future workforce in disciplines needed to contribute to aeronautics, space, and science missions. The unique mix of projects funded at our affiliate partners through our base award core programs, along with the statewide competitive opportunities, are strategically designed to align with NASA Mission Directorates while also fulfilling the needs of the state. The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development has targeted industries which include aerospace and defense, energy, and life and computer sciences. Utah’s core aerospace and defense competencies include propulsion systems design, composites manufacturing, software and control systems, sophisticated testing, and repair/maintenance. All of these support regional and national air service as well as advanced space systems. Utah is a leader in aerospace technology development. The NASA-unique programs, projects, and people involved with the Utah Space Grant Consortium provide an integrated and comprehensive statewide program that benefits the STEM ecosystem in the State of Utah.

NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships

UNSGC Goal #1: Contribute to the preparation and diversity of NASA’s future workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s strategic goals through internship, fellowship, and scholarship awards.

Encourage students from underrepresented and underserved Utah communities to participate in these opportunities:

  • NASA internship awards

  • NASA fellowship awards

  • NASA scholarship awards

  • Recruiting of underrepresented and underserved students in STEM

Research connecting students and faculty with NASA

UNSGC Goal #2: Support research seed funding projects at UNSGC affiliate institutions with faculty and student teams doing projects that align with NASA Mission Directorate work as well as the State of Utah STEM needs.

We will encourage student participants plus cooperation among universities, industry, and federal/state/local government to foster STEM ecosystems within Utah.

  • Competitive Projects: Research seed funding awards to develop core expertise and infrastructure to enable early career investigators to build a sustainable capability

Fostering cooperation among higher education, industry, government, and outreach

UNSGC Goal #3: Continue the success of the Utah Space Grant Consortium and its 19 affiliate members to maintain a state network of colleges and universities along with industry, government partners, and outreach institutions who have interest and capabilities in aeronautics, space, and related fields.

  • Convene annual fellowship symposium where all supported NIFS students as well as research and higher ed awarded students and faculty present research through papers, presentations, and a poster session.

  • Conduct annual meetings of affiliates to network, coordinate, and plan projects in Utah to expand on capabilities and opportunities in aeronautics and space.

  • Maintain UNSGC website with contact information, database of all stakeholders, opportunities, applications, and highlights.

Building a diverse future STEM workforce

UNSGC Goal #4: Build a diverse future STEM workforce in Utah by creating unique, hands-on, innovative opportunities in Utah for students and faculty to contribute to NASA’s endeavors in exploration and discovery. Interdisciplinary projects will be encouraged.

  • Affiliate base award core programs: Utah awards funding to the majority of our affiliates with pre-proposed base award core programs to give each affiliate an opportunity to use their unique strengths and resources in higher education to benefit students and faculty through their programs and expertise at their institutions to build a diverse future STEM workforce.

  • Competitive Projects: Higher education minigrant awards for student teams, competitions, and curriculum development opportunities

Supporting STEM education for K-12 and the general public

UNSGC Goal #5: Engage a diverse set of middle and high school teachers and students in NASA’s mission.

Prepare teachers in these grade levels to become more effective at improving student academic outcomes by strengthening understanding of concepts and content through NASA STEM engagement resources and content. Give students exposure to STEM careers through direct and virtual experiences with NASA’s people and work.

  • Affiliate base award core programs: Utah awards funding to the majority of our affiliates with pre-proposed base award core programs and some of these include outreach, STEM teacher workshops, and opportunities to engage middle and high school students to improve student academic outcomes and strengthen their interest in STEM fields.

  • Support development of precollege education standards-based STEM materials to enrich education experiences through outreach affiliate partners to deliver STEM content.

About the image featured on the top of this page:
This image was taken by our longtime trustee Durand “Duke” Johnson, Director of Clark Planetarium. The image captures Geminid Meteor Shower in 2018. It is a composite photo with over five hours of meteors over Balanced Rock, Arches National Park, Utah.