Nevada System of Higher Education Awarded $3.4 Million NASA Space Grant

June 9, 2025

Nevada

Funding will expand internships, research, and faculty development across Nevada’s colleges and universities

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has secured a $3.4 million, four-year grant from NASA to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and research in Nevada. The Nevada Space Grant Consortium (NVSGC) will administer the grant, connecting students and faculty to NASA’s mission and advancing workforce development across the state.

“This award strengthens Nevada’s efforts to grow a highly skilled STEM workforce and connect our students to NASA’s mission,” said Chair of the Board of Regents Amy J. Carvalho. “Through these programs, students and faculty gain valuable experience that opens doors to new opportunities in STEM.”

The funding will support a range of programs, including:

Internships, fellowships, and scholarships for NSHE students

Curriculum development and hands-on training grants for faculty

Research infrastructure and workforce development projects that engage students in NASA-aligned research

Pre-college STEM education initiatives, including teacher training and classroom projects

Dr. Eric Wilcox, Project Director for the Nevada Space Grant Consortium and Nevada NASA EPSCoR, said the award builds on years of successful collaboration. “NASA Space Grant is a vital element of achieving the STEM education and workforce development goals of NSHE, Nevada, and NASA,” he said. “The program has supported authentic, faculty-mentored, hands-on experiences for hundreds of students across NSHE campuses and provided paid internships at NASA centers. We’re grateful to continue this essential program and connect Nevada’s students and faculty to NASA’s facilities, datasets, and resources.”

Chancellor Matt McNair added, “This grant empowers students and faculty across Nevada to tackle some of the most exciting challenges in space and STEM fields. It strengthens Nevada’s leadership in STEM education and drives innovation statewide.”

The Nevada Space Grant Consortium is part of NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, a nationwide initiative created by Congress in 1989. The program includes 52 state-based consortia, including Nevada’s, and supports efforts to prepare students for STEM careers and advance research across the country.

In Nevada, the program includes all NSHE institutions. The program provides authentic, NASA-relevant STEM education and research opportunities for students and faculty, supporting student internships, faculty research, and K-12 outreach that brings NASA content and real-world experiences into classrooms across the state.

For more information about the Nevada Space Grant Consortium, visit https://nasa.epscorspo.nevada.edu/.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.

About NSHE

The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprised of two doctoral-granting research universities, a state university, four comprehensive community colleges, and one environmental research institute, serves the educational and job training needs of Nevada. NSHE provides educational opportunities to more than 100,000 students and is governed by the Nevada Board of Regents. The System includes the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada State University, Desert Research Institute, the College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, and Western Nevada College.