Florida Space Grant Consortium Dissertation and Thesis Improvement Fellowship

The Florida Space Grant Consortium Dissertation and Thesis Improvement Fellowship is open to master's or doctoral students in space science and engineering at participating universities and institutions that are affiliates of the FSGC. Students who enroll in thesis-based programs or who have advanced to candidacy are eligible to apply. The 2026-27 cycle awards Master's Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Fellowships in areas of space science and engineering; proposals must align with topics of interest to NASA. The duration cannot be more than 1 year and the maximum fellowship amount is $5000. There are no indirect costs. These awards are intended to provide supplemental funds for items not normally available from the student's university or other sources — they are not intended to provide the total costs of a student's dissertation research. Allowable items include travel to specialized facilities or field research locations and professional meetings, use of specialized research equipment, purchase of laboratory supplies and services not otherwise available, the hiring of field or laboratory assistants, fees for software licenses (valid for the duration of the fellowship period only), and rental of environmental chambers or other research facilities. Funds also may be used for textbooks, journal subscription (valid for the duration of the fellowship), or dissertation preparation or reproduction. Funds cannot be used for salaries or tuition. A restriction of no more than 2 students per PI applies. Notice of intent (not binding): email the title of the research and abstract (250 words) to fsgc@ucf.edu by April 17, 2026. Electronic submission of proposals due by May 29, 2026. Anticipated award announcement: July 31, 2026 (subject to availability of the 2026 NASA funds). Only U.S. citizens are allowed to receive direct support from FSGC.