The LaSPACE Student Team Engagement & Mentorship Support (STEMS) program provides significant financial support to a cohort of undergraduate students at a LaSPACE-affiliated institution of higher education collectively participating in a NASA-aligned research or design project which includes mentoring and professional development activities. The intent of this program is for the institution to develop and maintain a coordinated program to attract, engage, and retain students in NASA-relevant STEM fields providing training not normally obtained in the classroom such as technical presentation skills, mentoring to guide the student through their academic program, providing experiences relevant to aerospace / space sciences, and exposing the students to a wide array of NASA and NASA-aligned careers. Proposed teams should include at least 3 and up to 10 undergraduate students led by an authorized institutional PI (Faculty or Staff Member). STEMS projects will range from $12,000 to $30,000 with most of the funding (≥75%) distributed directly to participating students. All the requested funding may be used for direct student funding, but other costs may never exceed 25% of the total request. We anticipate funding at least two STEMS projects annually via a subaward.

Proposal Submissions

• Submit all properly executed proposals via email as fully searchable pdf documents to laspace@lsu.edu ON OR BEFORE Monday, June 15, 2026
• Important Dates:
  • Funding Opportunity Release Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
  • Proposal Due Date: Monday, June 15, 2026
  • Anticipated Award Announcements: July 2026
  • Award Period of Performance: 08/15/2026 – 05/31/2027

Download Link (Word Document): LASPACE_STEMS_ProposalGuidelines_2026-2027
Download Link (PDF Document): LASPACE_STEMS_ProposalGuidelines_2026-2027