Faculty Funding Opportunities

The Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) provides funding opportunities that support faculty-led research, STEM education initiatives, curriculum development, workforce development activities, and other projects aligned with NASA's mission priorities.

The information below summarizes faculty funding opportunities available through CTSGC. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all eligibility requirements, proposal guidelines, and required application materials before submitting an application.

Additional program details can be found in the CTSGC Faculty Request for Proposals (RFP). An updated version of the RFP is expected on September 1, 2026.

Faculty Request for Proposals (RFP):
PENDING

Application Status

We are not currently accepting faculty proposals.

Spring award recipients are posted at: https://ctspacegrant.org/10798/10798

Fall 2026 Application Period

Applications for Spring 2027 funding will be accepted from September 1, 2026, through October 13, 2026.

Please note: The Spring 2027 funding cycle is tentatively expected to open in January 2027. Specific dates will be announced at a later time.

Fall 2026 Faculty Proposal Opportunities

The following award categories are anticipated for the Fall 2026 proposal/application cycle. Award availability and funding levels are subject to change based on available resources and proposal quality.

Faculty Research Grant

Supports faculty-led research projects aligned with NASA mission priorities.

  • Audience: Faculty
  • Award Amount: Up to $10,000
  • Expected Awards: Not offered for Fall 2026

Faculty Project Grant

Supports STEM-focused projects, programs, and initiatives that advance CTSGC and NASA goals.

  • Audience: Faculty
  • Award Amount: Up to $5,000
  • Expected Awards: TBD

Faculty STEM Education Research Grant

Supports research focused on STEM education practices, outcomes, and innovation.

  • Audience: Faculty
  • Award Amount: Up to $4,000
  • Expected Awards: Not offered for Fall 2026

Faculty STEM Education Programming Grant

Supports STEM outreach, engagement, and educational programming activities.

  • Audience: Faculty
  • Award Amount: Up to $2,000
  • Expected Awards: TBD

Faculty Travel Grant

Provides support for professional travel related to NASA-relevant research or NASA-related collaboration.

  • Audience: Faculty
  • Award Amount: Up to $2,000
  • Expected Awards: TBD

Curriculum Development Grant

Supports the development or enhancement of STEM curriculum and instructional materials.

  • Audience: Faculty
  • Award Amount: $2,000-$4,000
  • Expected Awards: TBD

Faculty-Student Research Grant

Supports collaborative research teams consisting of faculty and student investigators (one student must be from a participating Community College).

  • Audience: Faculty and Student Teams
  • Award Amount: Up to $14,000 per team
  • Expected Awards: TBD

Award numbers are estimates and may increase, decrease, or change based on funding availability.

Faculty Research Grants and Faculty STEM Education Research Grants will not be offered during the Fall 2026 funding cycle.

How to Apply for Faculty Funding

A single faculty application is used for all faculty funding categories (excluding the Community College Drone Challenge).

Faculty Application: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0198c7aa62ea7c4987538fc3e553942e

Before applying, applicants should carefully review the applicable Funding Opportunity description and Faculty RFP to ensure that all eligibility requirements and proposal guidelines are met.

Community College Drone Challenge

The NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) invites proposals from faculty-led student teams at Connecticut State Community College campuses to participate in the 2026–2027 Community College Drone Challenge (CCDC). This hands-on engineering competition engages students in drone design, fabrication, programming, and flight operations while strengthening STEM pathways and supporting NASA’s Aeronautics Mission Directorate.

  • Audience: Faculty-led Student Teams
  • Award Amount: Up to $8,000 per team
  • Expected Awards: TBD

Apply to the Community College Drone Challenge

A single faculty application is used for all faculty funding categories.

CCDC Faculty Application: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019952b405a87265983bb61f0a6d35d9

Before applying, applicants should carefully review the applicable Program RFP to ensure that all eligibility requirements and proposal guidelines are met.

Need Assistance?

All CTSGC applications are submitted electronically.

If you have questions regarding eligibility, proposal requirements, or technical issues with the application process, please contact the CTSGC office:

  • Phone: 860-768-4890
  • Email: csgcinfo@hartford.edu

Important: To ensure proper functionality and document uploads, applications should be completed using a desktop or laptop computer. Mobile device submissions are not recommended.

Please do not submit online applications using a mobile device.