Application opens: December 1, 2025
Application closes: March 1, 2026
Purpose:
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) will award scholarships to outstanding students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines that support NASA’s mission.
Awards:
A total of up to (18) $3,000* scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Funding will be released, subject to NASA’s authorization.
Requirements:
To be considered for this Illinois Space Grant award, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a U.S. citizen. |
| Enrollment | Must be enrolled at least half-time during both the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters at one of the following ISGC affiliate institutions: – Bradley University – Chicago State University – City Colleges of Chicago – DePaul University – Illinois Institute of Technology – Northern Illinois University – Northwestern University – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – The University of Chicago – University of Illinois at Chicago – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Academic Level | Must be an undergraduate student during both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. |
| Field of Study | Must be majoring at least half-time in a STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics), including but not limited to: engineering, computer science, biological and life sciences, chemistry, geological sciences, physics, or astronomy. Students whose academic interests and career goals align with NASA’s mission areas are especially encouraged to apply. |
| Academic Standing | Must be in good academic standing with their institution. |
| Funding Limit | Students may receive this award a maximum of two times during their degree program. |
| Application | A completed online application is required. Incomplete applications will not be considered. |
| NASA STEM Gateway | Create a profile in Gateway or use an existing one Link your profile to the Illinois Space Grant Scholarship |
| Deadline | All materials must be submitted electronically by March 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
To Apply:
Complete the Scholarship Application. As part of the application, you will be asked to upload the following:
- A current resumé.
- A copy of your most recent college transcript (Fall 2025). It may be an unofficial transcript.
- Statement of Interest (1–2 Pages)
Your Statement of Interest helps us get to know you — your goals, your curiosity, and how this scholarship will support your growth in STEM fields connected to NASA’s mission.
Please keep your statement to one to two pages and include your responses to the following areas:
| Topic | Guiding Questions |
| Your Reasons for Seeking this Scholarship | Share examples of your previous or current involvement in STEM — through classes, research projects, internships, clubs, outreach, or other experiences. How do these connect to NASA’s areas of interest, such as space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, or technology innovation? |
| Evidence of Interest and Experience in STEM | Share examples of your previous or current involvement in STEM — through classes, research projects, internships, clubs, outreach, or other experiences. How do these connect to NASA’s areas of interest such as space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, or technology innovation? |
| Academic and Professional Goals | What are you studying, and what excites you about it? How did you become interested in your field, and how does it connect to NASA’s work or to STEM more broadly? |
| Current and Near-Future Plans (1–3 Years) | What are you working on now — in classes, clubs, research, or community activities — that relates to your goals? What are you planning to do in the next few years to keep learning and growing? |
| Looking Ahead (5–10 Years) | What’s your big dream? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years, and how do you hope to make an impact in your field, your community, or the world? |
Selection:
Scholarships will be awarded to students with the highest academic merit who submit a complete application.
Awardees must complete the following before their funding will be established:
- Sign and return their award letters by the deadlines provided.
- Create an account on the NASA gateway system.
- Awardees agree to participate in the Illinois/NASA longitudinal tracking process. This involves requesting information from recipients to determine whether Space Grant-funded opportunities affect a student’s future educational and career plans. All awardees must agree to provide timely information for this report. The data is used to demonstrate the Space Grant program’s success to NASA, so that funding will continue to be appropriated for future students. Tracking occurs until the first year of your next step. For example, if you are a junior who receives a scholarship, we will ask for your information yearly until you enter graduate school or take a position in your career field.
Failing to meet the above criteria will result in cancellation of the award, and the student will receive a rescission letter.
Provided candidates meet minimum eligibility requirements, at least one applicant from each affiliate institution will be awarded a scholarship.
Acceptance of this award may impact a student’s income level to a degree that could affect eligibility for other funding, including student loans. The student must consult with their undergraduate student office and their campus financial aid advisors. ILSGC encourages students to meet with their financial aid officers before submission of an application.
Deadline and Notification of Awards
| Submission Deadline: |
|---|
| Extended to March 1, 2026 11:59 pm |
After screening for eligibility, the ILSGC and the affiliate institution will notify successful applicants of their award and send notifications to the affiliate institution.
Timeline
- December 1, 2025 – Application Opens
- March 1, 2026– Application Closes
- March 2026 – The selection process occurs
- By May 15, 2026 – Notification to awardees
- June 10, 2026 – Awardees must accept by this date, and all criteria must be met
- Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 – Your institution will disburse the payment in accordance with its policies.*
* Funding will be released, incumbent upon authorization of funds by NASA, and the affiliate subaward is in place