UCLA Branch
Director: C. T. Russell, email: ctrussell@igpp.ucla.edu
The University of California has been selected as the California consortium member of
the National Space Grant College Program administered by NASA. The program objectives are
to:
(1) establish a national network of universities with interests and capabilities in aeronautics,
space and related fields;
(2) to encourage cooperative programs among universities, aerospace
industry, and federal, state and local governments;
(3) encourage interdisciplinary training,
research and public-service programs related to aerospace;
(4) recruit and train professionals,
especially women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities for careers in
aerospace science and technology; and
(5) promote a strong science, mathematics, and technology
education base from elementary through university levels. UCLA's successful proposal stressed
curriculum development in space science and aerospace engineering.
This development is fostered through the annual awarding of mini-grants to UCLA faculty
in aerospace engineering and space science.
NASA Now Accepting Applications for Community College Aerospace Scholars
This is an opportunity for community college students (U.S. Citizens only) to visit NASA Johnson Space Center and learn about career possibilities in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
National Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) is a pilot program
funded by NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) and
administered by NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). Community college students
from across the nation who are interested in the areas of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics will apply to travel to NASA
Johnson Space Center (JSC) for a three day experience. This opportunity
will provide a hands-on project featuring engineering career possibilities.
Selected students will begin the semester commitment with Web-based
preparation prior to visiting JSC. The only cost to the student is a $30
registration fee; NASA covers travel (up to $1000), food, and lodging.
Students Apply Online Now! at https://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/NCAS/.
High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) - Call for Payloads 2010
Call for Payloads (CFP) for the September 2010
flight of the High Altitude Student Platform (HASP). HASP can support up to
12 student payloads (providing power, telemetry and commanding) during a
flight to an altitude of 124,000 feet for up to 20 hours. Details about
previous HASP flights and the student payloads flown can be found on the
"Flight Information" page of the HASP website at
http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp/Flightinfo.html. Details on the payload
constraints and interface with HASP can be found on the "Participant Info"
page of the HASP website at http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp/Participantinfo.html
Education EXPRESS - NASA opportunities for Undergrads, Grads and Post Doctoral Students in various disciplines
Please click here for more details.
ESMD Space Grant 2010 Research Paper Competition
The NASA ESMD 2010 Research Paper Competition has been announced. This research paper competition is for undergrad and grad students who are U.S. Citizens.
Topics:
Ground Operations
Spacecraft Landing and Recovery Architecture: Historical Approaches and Ideas for the Future
Lunar and Planetary Surface Systems
Synergistic degradation effects of materials exposed to radiation, micrometeors, thermal sinks and lunar dust
Propulsion
Loading of Cryogenic Propellant in Space Launch Vehicle
Spacecraft
Determination of the Optimum Internal Cockpit Layout
Awards
Four 1st place prizes of $3500 cash scholarships--one for each research topic
VIP seating to an upcoming launch
The deadline for submitting the research paper is midnight EST January 25, 2010.
For complete information regarding the rules and guidelines visit their website
Summer 2009 Internship at Masten Space Systems
Masten Space Systems offers summer internships from mid-May to mid-August at their Mojave facilities. Interested applicants need to be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. Projects include testing state-of-the-art rocket engines, flight testing vertical take off/vertical landing rocket vehicles, fabricating and testing components for future projects, and evaluating new hardware concepts.
The deadline to apply for internships this summer is Sunday, April 5th.
Details can be found at:
http://masten-space.com/internships.html
Microgravity is a unique window on biological and physical processes. Its value has been demonstrated by NASA and international researchers over the past several
decades.
In the past, it was difficult for the broad research community to access microgravity. In the 2010 timeframe, this is expected to change due to two significant milestones:
1. Completion of the International Space Station (ISS)
2. Beginning of routine Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS)
This competition will provide an opportunity to perform innovative research while promoting use of microgravity in a wide range of near-term applications.
Notices of intent are requested by February 20 and proposals are due on March 20.
The prize offered consists of:
- Flight of an experiment in Earth orbit as early as November 2009
- A grant of $25,000
- A trip for four to see the launch of the winning experiment from Cape Canaveral
The flight is donated by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). The competition is organized by the Heinlein Prize Trust with assistance from the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. It is open to U.S. universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations with optional industry partners.
ESMD Space Grant Faculty Fellowship Project 2009 Announcement - Deadline February 17, 2009
ESMD is again funding a Faculty Fellowship Project for Space Grant faculty
to visit a NASA field center in the summer of 2009. This year the faculty
fellows will gain knowledge on one ESMD project, and then implement that
ESMD project in a senior design/capstone course at their university during
the 2009-2010 academic year. A list of ESMD projects that are eligible is
attached. Please review this exciting opportunity and share with your
colleagues. Please note: only faculty who are U.S. Citizens are eligible.
The due date is February 17, so it is a quick turn around.
NASA
Graduate Student Researchers Program -
$30,000 Fellowship
Application deadline: February 1, 2009
The NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) awards fellowships for graduate study leading to masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related to NASA research and development. This twelve month award includes an internship at the NASA Center affiliated with the NASA sponsored research.
The goal of NASA’s GSRP is to cultivate research ties to the academic community, to help to meet the continuing needs of the Nation’s aeronautics and space requirements by increasing the number of highly trained scientists and engineers in aeronautics and space-related disciplines, and to broaden the base of students pursuing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Research opportunities described on the GSRP website, are assessed and updated annually to complement the mission requirements of NASA. Research areas are in disciplines that lead to aeronautics and space careers.
The program supports approximately 120 graduate students annually. NASA’s discipline scientists and technologists evaluate applications based upon academic transcripts, research proposals, Faculty Research Adviser’s recommendation, and the proposed utilization of NASA Center or university research facilities.
Mentoring and internships at NASA Centers are important aspects of the GSRP Fellowship. It is common practice for the Centers to host students during the summer months to fulfill this purpose; however, the schedule may vary depending on each Center’s capacity. Recipients of the GSRP Training Grant must coordinate the schedule for the internship with the Center Technical Adviser and the Center GSRP Program Coordinator.
For more information please visit the GSRP website at:
http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/program/
Are you ready for the NASA Academy? Application deadline January 26, 2009
The NASA Academy is an intensive ten-week residential summer experience. Apply now at : http://www.AcademyApp.com
Space Grant 2009 Internships at JPL - Deadline February 1, 2009 for Summer internship (flexible)
Internships are open to grads and undergrads. There is no official application but interested students may send in their resume together with an unofficial transcript to the Program Coordinator, California Space Grant Consortium (email: tlazzouni@ucsd.edu). A personal statement summarizing your interest in an internship at JPL and what skills you can bring to JPL, is desirable though not a requirement. This is now a year-round program.
These internships are open to US Citizens and Permanent Residents.
The Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology Project (MUST) is Accepting Applications NOW! Deadline for Applications: February 2, 2009
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is sponsoring the Motivating
Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST) Project and is now accepting applications
for the 2009-2010 academic year. The MUST Project offers support to undergraduate
students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
disciplines. Program participants receive a scholarship, NASA internship, mentoring and
access to a wealth of professional development opportunities.
Project offerings include:
A one-year competitive scholarship covering up to one-half of tuition and fees, not to exceed $10,000 per academic year. The scholarship is renewable through the scholar's junior year provided that all eligibility criteria are continually satisfied. A 10-week paid summer internship at one of ten nationwide NASA Centers. Scholars receive a $6,000 stipend plus transportation and location allowance not to exceed $1,000. Support from MUST Professional and Academic Support System (PASS) providing scholars with an online student community and professional development/leadership training, and Invaluable resources, insight, and experience to further STEM education and career aspirations from the MUST Consortium, which is comprised of three member organizations: the Hispanic College Fund (HCF), the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
Eligibility requirements:
* Must be a U.S. citizen from underserved and underrepresented groups (i.e., women,
minorities, and person with disabilities) in STEM disciplines, including those
residing in rural and economically disadvantaged communities,
* Must reside in the United States or a U.S. Territory,
* Be a college freshman, sophomore or junior and hold a full-time academic status at
the an accredited college or university (in the U.S. or U.S. territory) for the
2009-2010 academic year,
* Must earn and maintain a cumulative grade point averal of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0
scale (unweighted), and
* must be enrolled in STEM disciplines whose major are aligned with NASA's core
competencies (physical science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degree).
Visit www.uncfsp.org/must for more information or to apply.
You may also contact Ms. Porsche Parker at (650) 961-1101.
Student Opportunities at NASA Centers - Deadlines
NASA Centers offer some wonderful opportunities for students at their following centers. Please click on this link for more details.
1. Student Opportunities at Ames Research Center.
2. Glenn Research Center Hosts Broad Spectrum of NASA Higher Education Programs.
3. Goddard Space Flight Center Education Programs
4. Student Opportunities at Johnson Space Center
5. Student Opportunity: Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating
Research and Education Experience
6. Higher Education Student Opportunities at Marshall Space Flight Center
7. Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Space Grant Project
The ESMD Summer Internship Application is now open. Deadline February 1, 2009
Interested students must first go to,
http://education.ksc.nasa.gov/esmdspacegrant/ to find ESMD Internship
opportunities and the password to access the ESMD Intern Application. You
can then link to the ESMD Intern Application at
https://secureworkgroups.grc.nasa.gov/esmd-spswg.
The application is open November 17, 2008 - January 12, 2009. Applications
must be complete, including transcripts and letters of recommendation. Every
student is required to complete an online application. The transcripts and
letters of recommendation may be electronically attached to the application
or mailed in hard copy. Hard copies must be postmarked no later than January
12, 2009.
Students must meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for an ESMD
internship. These requirements include the following:
* Must be a U.S. Citizen to participate. Proof of citizenship will be
required if selected.
* Age 18 or older
* Community college, undergraduate and graduate students are eligible
to apply
* Minimum of 30 credit hours/45 quarter hours completed
* Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
* Enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. university, college, or
community college.
For a copy of the ESMD Student Information Handbook, please
click here
NASA Langley Research Center in partnership with the Virginia Space Grant
Consortium (VSGC) is offering the NASA-VSGC GIS Internship Program to
provide student support to the NASA GIS Team. Internships are open to high school, community college, undergraduate, and
graduate students majoring in the fields of geography, technology, civil
engineering, and other areas with an interest in developing their skills in
spatial data technology in support of NASA's mission. Positions in fall and
spring are available. Application deadline for fall internships is July 8
and November 1 for spring internships. These internships are fully funded by NASA.
Mini-Grants
Those interested in applying for mini-grants under this program should prepare a brief
proposal (up to 5 pages) stating the objectives of their effort, and how they intend to achieve
these objectives, and including a budget for one year showing how the University will share the
costs of this effort (for example by purchasing teaching materials or paying the applicant's
salary). Also include a brief resume with emphasis on the qualifications of the applicant for the
proposed effort. We expect this opportunity to be renewed on an annual basis. There is no
(further) overhead on the use of these funds. Successful proposals in previous years have
included the preparation of textbooks, computer-aided instruction software, and other instructional
aids.
Interested parties should be aware that a condition on the grant to UCLA is at least 50%
cost sharing by the University, that the total funds available at UCLA are limited to
approximately $50K per year, that all projects that further the objectives of the National Space
Grant College Program are welcome but that some priority will be given to projects that further
curriculum development in the space sciences and engineering. Successful applicants will be required
to document both the statement of work and the cost-sharing with a joint memorandum of
understanding and also to prepare a brief final report.
Some of the projects funded at UCLA include:
Fellowships
Since these monies are limited (a total of $20,000) and since one of the biggest obstacles
to attracting the top talent nationwide into our programs is out-of-state tuition,
additional priority will be given to freshman graduate students from out-of-state.
We expect that in the second year of their studies, they will have qualified for in-state
residency. NASA has stipulated that these funds may be given only to U.S. citizens or
permanent residents.
Those departments interested in applying for one of these fellowships should prepare a
brief (one page) statement describing the candidate and his or her qualifications. Supporting
materials including transcripts, GRE scores and a statement of career goals from the applicant
are requested. Priority will be given to those students most likely to pursue a career contributing
significantly to aerospace engineering or one of the space science related disciplines. If the
research advisor of the student is known at this time and if that advisor has on-going research
projects in these fields, information to that effect will be useful in the selection process. Finally,
since NASA is interested in recruiting and training underrepresented groups such as women,
minorities and the disabled, such information about the candidates will be most helpful.
Other fellowship monies may be obtained directly from NASA. For details visit:
http://edassoc.arc.nasa.gov
Workshops
The goals of the National Space Grant College Program can also be furthered
by workshops of interested and dedicated individuals who both exchange
information and experiences and coordinate future activities. The UCLA
branch welcomes proposals for workshops that promote the objectives of the
Space Grant Program. An Annual Planetary Science Summer School, directed toward
Ph.D. students and recent (within 5 years) Ph.D. graduates, is held every August
at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California. Enrollment for workshops is limited.
Details at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/pscischool
NASA Academy Program
The NASA Academy programs are scheduled to take place at the Ames
Research Center and Goddard Space Flight Center and the application
deadline is early February. The applications are available on the
Internet:
http://www.nasa-academy.nasa.gov/
Eligibility/selection is based on the following criteria:
1) US citizen or permanent resident
2) academic rank (junior, senior, first, or second year graduate)
3) academic performance (GPA higher than 3.0 or equivalent)
4) demonstrated interest in the space program
5) demonstrated leadership qualities
6) research and/or project interest and experience
7) maturity
8) recommendation and references
For further information contact:
Ames Research Center:
Dr. Douglas O'Handley,
dohandley@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Goddard Space Flight Center:
Mablelene Burrell,
mburrell@pop100.gsfc.nasa.gov
Space Grant Consortium
The California Spacegrant Program is administered by the California
Space Institute on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
campus. Information about the overall UC Spacegrant Program is available at
http://calspace.ucsd.edu/casgc/.
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