Opportunity Information: Apply for 80HQTR20NOA01 21NSTGRO B4
NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities - Fall 2021 (NSTGRO21) is a competitive NASA Headquarters funding opportunity run by the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to support graduate-level research that can help create new, high-impact space technologies. The solicitation was released on September 3, 2020 and is posted in NASA’s NSPIRES system (nspires.nasaprs.com) under open solicitations as “NSTGRO21.” The program is designed to strengthen NASA-relevant technology development by investing in students whose research could contribute to the nation’s science goals, exploration priorities, and long-term economic future tied to space innovation.
The opportunity targets individuals who are pursuing, or planning to pursue, a masters or Ph.D. in space technology-related fields at accredited U.S. universities. Eligibility is centered on the student being a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a permanent resident, reflecting NASA’s intent to build domestic capacity in advanced technology areas. While the research is performed by the student, awards are not made directly to the student; instead, NASA issues a grant to the university, and the student’s faculty advisor serves as the Principal Investigator (PI). In practice, this structure places responsibility for proposal submission, compliance, and award management on the university and PI, while the student is the primary researcher supported through the grant.
A distinguishing feature of NSTGRO is the built-in collaboration model with NASA. Each selected graduate researcher works under their faculty advisor and is also matched with a technically relevant, community-engaged NASA researcher who serves as a research collaborator. The intent is to make the work more connected to real NASA technology needs and to give the student a clearer line of sight from academic research to potential mission applications. Research activities may take place both on the student’s university campus and at NASA Centers, allowing students to tap NASA facilities, expertise, and professional networks while also sharing results directly with the NASA community.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, NSTGRO awards are grants (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the discretionary funding category, aligned to science and technology and other research and development activities (CFDA 43.012). The listed award ceiling is $80,000. The solicitation emphasizes that this call covers proposals for new awards only; continuation of existing awards is handled separately. Awards were planned to align with the start of the 2021 academic year, contingent on the availability of appropriated funds, which is standard language indicating that final award decisions depend on federal budget allocations.
Proposals had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES, typically by the university’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), with limited exceptions referenced in the full solicitation. The deadline was November 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time, and applicants were encouraged to register and begin working in NSPIRES well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute system or submission issues. Detailed instructions were provided in the “Other Documents” section associated with the NSTGRO21 page in NSPIRES.
For questions, NASA directed applicants to contact the Space Technology Research Grants Program by email at HQ-NSTGRO-Call@mail.nasa.gov. NASA indicated that responses would be provided by email and could also be compiled into an FAQ posted on the solicitation’s NSPIRES page, with anonymity preserved for individuals and institutions submitting questions. The official opportunity identifiers associated with this call include the Funding Opportunity Number 80HQTR20NOA01 21NSTGRO B4, with NASA as the issuing agency.Apply for 80HQTR20NOA01 21NSTGRO B4
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities - Fall 2021 (NSTGRO21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-09-04.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-02. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $80,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities - Fall 2021 (NSTGRO21) FAQs
What is NSTGRO21?
NSTGRO21 (NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities - Fall 2021) is a competitive NASA Headquarters funding opportunity run by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to support graduate-level research intended to help create new, high-impact space technologies.
What is the goal of the program?
The program is designed to strengthen NASA-relevant technology development by investing in graduate students whose research could contribute to the nation's science goals, exploration priorities, and long-term economic future tied to space innovation.
Who runs and issues this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is run by NASA Headquarters through the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), with NASA as the issuing agency.
Where is the solicitation posted?
The solicitation is posted in NASA's NSPIRES system (nspires.nasaprs.com) under open solicitations as "NSTGRO21."
When was the solicitation released?
The solicitation was released on September 3, 2020.
What is the solicitation name used in NSPIRES?
In NSPIRES, the call appears under open solicitations as "NSTGRO21."
What types of degrees does this opportunity target?
The opportunity targets individuals who are pursuing, or planning to pursue, a master's or Ph.D. in space technology-related fields.
What type of institutions are eligible for participation?
The opportunity is oriented to students at accredited U.S. universities, with the award issued as a grant to the university rather than directly to the student.
What citizenship or residency requirements apply to the student?
Eligibility centers on the student being a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a permanent resident.
Does NASA award the funding directly to the student?
No. While the research is performed by the student, NASA does not make awards directly to the student. NASA issues a grant to the university.
Who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI)?
The student's faculty advisor serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) on the proposal and award.
Who is primarily responsible for proposal submission and award management?
In practice, responsibility for proposal submission, compliance, and award management rests with the university and the PI, while the student is the primary researcher supported through the grant.
Is NASA collaboration part of NSTGRO?
Yes. A distinguishing feature of NSTGRO is a built-in collaboration model with NASA.
Who collaborates with the student besides the faculty advisor?
Each selected graduate researcher works under their faculty advisor and is also matched with a technically relevant, community-engaged NASA researcher who serves as a research collaborator.
Why does NSTGRO include a NASA research collaborator?
The intent is to connect the work to real NASA technology needs and to give the student a clearer line of sight from academic research to potential mission applications.
Where may the research activities take place?
Research activities may take place both on the student's university campus and at NASA Centers.
What is the benefit of conducting research at NASA Centers?
Conducting work at NASA Centers can allow students to tap NASA facilities, expertise, and professional networks, while also sharing results directly with the NASA community.
What is the funding instrument type for NSTGRO21?
The funding instrument type is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant).
What kind of funding category does this opportunity fall under?
It is in the discretionary funding category.
What program area or classification is referenced for this opportunity?
The solicitation references alignment to science and technology and other research and development activities, and lists CFDA 43.012.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount listed?
The listed award ceiling is $80,000.
Does this solicitation cover new awards, continuations, or both?
This call covers proposals for new awards only. Continuation of existing awards is handled separately.
When were awards planned to start?
Awards were planned to align with the start of the 2021 academic year.
Is award timing guaranteed?
No. Awards were planned to start in alignment with the 2021 academic year, contingent on the availability of appropriated funds. Final award decisions depend on federal budget allocations.
How were proposals required to be submitted?
Proposals had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES.
Who typically submits the proposal in NSPIRES?
Proposals were typically submitted by the university's Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), with limited exceptions referenced in the full solicitation.
What was the submission deadline for NSTGRO21?
The deadline was November 2, 2020 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.
Did NASA provide any advice about NSPIRES registration and timing?
Yes. Applicants were encouraged to register and begin working in NSPIRES well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute system or submission issues.
Where could applicants find detailed submission instructions?
Detailed instructions were provided in the "Other Documents" section associated with the NSTGRO21 page in NSPIRES.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this call?
The Funding Opportunity Number associated with this call is 80HQTR20NOA01 21NSTGRO B4.
Who should applicants contact with questions about NSTGRO21?
NASA directed applicants to contact the Space Technology Research Grants Program by email at HQ-NSTGRO-Call@mail.nasa.gov.
How would NASA respond to questions?
NASA indicated that responses would be provided by email.
Could questions and answers be posted publicly?
Yes. NASA indicated that responses could also be compiled into an FAQ posted on the solicitation's NSPIRES page.
Would identities be shared if questions were compiled into a public FAQ?
No. NASA indicated that anonymity would be preserved for individuals and institutions submitting questions.
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