Educator and Faculty Opportunities (SDSGC)

Award Amount

• Total of up to $10,000 in funding.
• Individual award applications limited to a maximum of $5,000.

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Teachers and informal educators.
• Must be employed by one of South Dakota educational institutions during the award period.
• Open to applicants who either (a) have completed or plan to complete robotics training to establish new programs or (b) have an existing robotics program in need of additional support.
• Eligible regardless of whether their institution has an existing robotics program.
• Eligible for both first-time applicants and past award recipients.

Objectives

• Continues and honors the legacy of Daniel Swets, founder of the South Dakota Robotics Association.
• Supports the use of robotics to recruit students into STEM fields at an early age.
• Helps produce high-quality students to support NASA's mission.
• Funds robotics materials for classroom or institutional use, either to launch new programs or sustain existing ones.

Notes

• The robotics materials must be purchased directly by the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium through South Dakota State University and either delivered to/picked up by the applicant(s) or their institution.
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions

Award Amount

• Up to $8,000 in funding for one selected recipient.

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Teachers and informal educators.
• Provide instructions in STEM at a public, private or tribal K-12 school in South Dakota.

Objectives

• Recognize and support outstanding individuals and innovative educational programs at the precollege level.
• Foster early engagement in STEM to help prepare students for future education and careers in STEM fields.
• Promote innovative uses of technology that inspire students and fellow educators.

Notes

• Funds may not be used to supplement or replace the applicant’s salary, and no facilities and administrative (overhead or indirect) costs are allowed.
• Supplies must be purchased directly by the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium through South Dakota State University and either delivered to/picked up by the applicant or their school.
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions

Award Amount

• Approximately $100,000 total funding for the 2026-2027 award period.
• $1,000-$25,000 per project.

Eligibility

• South Dakota Space Grant Consortium Affiliate organizations.
• U.S. citizenship is required for students receiving direct NASA Space Grant funding.
• U.S. citizenship is not required for principal investigators and co-investigators unless they receive direct NASA Space Grant funding.

Objectives

• Focus on one or more of the following program areas:

  a) Higher Education (Research Included)
  b) Precollege Education
  c) Informal Education

• Align with NASA Mission Directorate research priorities and/or NASA Center Areas of Interest.
• Show potential to develop into long-term, sustainable programs.

Notes

• One to one nonfederal matching funds required.
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions

Award Amount

• Up to $8,000 in funding for each selected recipient (three in total).

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Secondary school teachers.
• Must provide instructions in STEM at public, private, or tribal secondary schools in South Dakota.
• Must be a full-time teacher in the 2025-2026 school year and commit to a full-time South Dakota teaching role for at least three additional years.

Objectives

• Enhance teachers’ knowledge and skills in science and engineering.
• Connect teachers with university and laboratory research aligned with NASA and South Dakota Space Grant Consortium missions.
• Support the integration of research experiences into classroom teaching to improve student outcomes.

Notes:

• Teachers are responsible for arranging research placements with a research group. South Dakota Space Grant Consortium can assist with contacting faculty members upon request.
• This award is contingent upon U.S. Congressional approval of the 2026 federal budget and the availability and receipt of FY2026 Space Grant funding from NASA.

Application Instructions