Application for FY26-27 NCAS Partner Institute is now closed.
June 9, 2026
• MUREP: Minority University Research and Education Project
• OSTEM: Office of STEM Engagement
• STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• NCAS: NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars
• Participant: Any eligible Partner Institute competing for the challenge
• Partner Institute: An eligible organization as defined in the rules
• Principal Investigator (PI): A Partner Institute’s affiliated staff or faculty member leading their entry to the challenge
• MPLAN: The MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification. MPLAN was a competitive program administered through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) that connects Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) with NASA’s Mission Directorates to promote research collaboration.
• Challenge Administrator: The organization contracted by NASA to serve as the administrators of the challenge on behalf of NASA. For the NCAS Partner Institute Challenge, the Challenge Administrator is the Institute of Competition Sciences.
NASA’s Minority University Research & Education Project (MUREP) seeks to build on the results achieved through previous NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) activities by engaging NCAS Partner Institutes in a competition to demonstrate their prior success and win a share of a prize to support their future activities.
NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) originated in 2001 at Johnson Space Center as a community college robotics competition. By 2009, it had expanded to JPL and Marshall Space Flight Center, eventually adopting a nationwide format in 2014 that combined online coursework with onsite projects. From 2014 to 2017, the program reached all ten NASA centers, engaging over 800 students annually before launching the “NASA on Campus” pilot in 2018. Although the 2020 pandemic disrupted growth and shifted engagement to virtual simulations, the model evolved to include 10 MPLAN prize-winning campuses by 2025.
The NCAS Partner Institute Challenge supports NASA OSTEM’s FY26 Learning Agenda and is organized around the following performance goals:
The rapid expansion of the space economy, combined with renewed national priorities in human space exploration, has created an urgent demand for a robust, skilled technical workforce. Yet, the aerospace and defense sectors are facing critical labor shortages, particularly in technical roles such as machinists, electronics technicians, and systems integrators.
These shortages are driven by:
• An aging workforce
• Rising educational costs
• Limited awareness of career pathways
• Fragmented coordination among education, industry, and workforce systems
NCAS has an opportunity to address these challenges and ensure the U.S. remains competitive in space through community college partner institutes as well as a NASA student challenge.
The key shift in strategy for 2026 will be the addition of developing and sustaining a skilled technical workforce (STW) aligned with aerospace industry needs.
The Skilled Technical Workforce (STW) includes individuals without bachelor’s degrees who perform essential science and engineering-based roles. According to the National Science Board, shortages in this workforce threaten national security.
NCAS will accelerate workforce readiness and create clear pathways into high-demand technical careers, supporting U.S. competitiveness in the global space economy.
While NCAS has always addressed Learning Agenda Item 2, Building the STEM Workforce, NCAS will broaden its focus to address OSTEM Learning Agenda Item 3, Developing Students’ STEM and Industry Skills — how do experiential learning opportunities build industry-aligned skills and credentials for immediate workforce entry?
The NCAS Partner Institute Challenge will allow Partner Institutions to continue their work meeting the needs of their STEM-focused students in pursuit of a 2-year or 4-year degree or technical certificate.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting this Challenge under the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended [15 U.S.C. § 3719].
In order to be eligible to win an award through this Challenge, participating organizations shall:
• Have been a partner institute in the 2025 MUREP Planning Grant (MPLAN) competition.
Eligible institutes include:
• Be a fully accredited U.S.-based community college as defined by the U.S. Department of Education at:
https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/find-college-or-educational-program/community-college/community-college-facts-glance
• Be included in NASA’s list of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) on the date of Challenge registration:
https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/
• Be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States.
• Not be affiliated with a judge of the Challenge, or any other party involved with the design, production, execution, or distribution of the Challenge, or the immediate family of such a party, including:
• Spouse
• Parent
• Step-parent
• Child
• Step-child
• Have identified one staff or faculty member from the Partner Institute as the Principal Investigator (PI) who will be responsible for communication with the NCAS team in all manners related to this submission. This does not need to be the same PI from the previous NCAS MPLAN program.
• Only one entry per institution campus is permitted.
• Participation in the NCAS Partner Challenge is voluntary.
• By participating in this Challenge, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the following parties from any third-party claims, damages, or losses arising from or related to the team’s activities in the competition:
• U.S. Government
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS)
• Employees, agents, and contractors of the above parties
• By participating in this Challenge, each Partner Institution warrants that they are the sole author or owner of, or have the right to use, any copyrightable works included in the submission.
• Each Partner Institution also warrants that the works are wholly original with the Participant, or are an improved version of an existing work that the Participant has sufficient rights to use and improve.
• Each Partner Institution warrants that the submission does not infringe any copyright or any other rights of any third party of which the Participant is aware.
• All intellectual property created by the Participant during the competition remains the property of the Participant.
• No transfer of ownership to NASA, the Challenge Administrator, or any partner occurs by participating in the Challenge unless separately agreed to in writing.
• Each Participant agrees to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• Each Participant in this Challenge must comply with all terms and conditions of these rules.
• Participation in this Challenge constitutes each Participant’s full and unconditional agreement to abide by these rules.
• Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements herein.
• Any prize funds will be distributed to the organization listed in the Challenge registration as defined by the registered Participant’s Principal Investigator.
• It is the organization’s responsibility, in accordance with institutional policies, to determine how prize funds are managed or dispersed.
• NASA and ICS do not manage or determine the organization’s internal fund distribution.
• The Participant’s PI warrants that the appropriate officers, executives, managers, or other persons who have the authority to approve participation in this competition have approved the entry.
• Completing a submission to the Challenge indicates understanding that these terms will be binding on both the PI and the Partner Institute entity.
• By submitting to this Challenge, the PI indicates understanding that if a Participant enters without obtaining the appropriate organizational approvals, NASA may, in its sole discretion, disqualify the entry.
• If an entity is selected to receive an award, an officer or person entitled to bind the entity will be required to validate that the Participant is entitled to receive the award on behalf of the entity.
• The officer or person entitled to bind the entity must provide the appropriate information for payment of the award.
Eligible Participants must submit the materials identified below to be eligible for an award.
Submissions are intended to:
• Document institutional success
• Identify areas for growth
• Support the ongoing development of the NCAS Community College Partner Institutes
Each institution must submit the following:
6.1. Implementation Report
The Implementation Report must be less than or equal to 20 pages in length, excluding:
• Title page
• Table of contents
• Appendices
• Recruitment flyer
Formatting requirements:
• Font size must be no less than 12-point font
• Margins must be at least ¾ of an inch
The report must include the following sections:
6.1.1. Evidence of Success
The Implementation Report must include a section titled “Evidence of Success” including information covering the following:
• An overview of the NCAS program implemented during the MPLAN project
• The cumulative student population reached
• The Partner Institute’s overall impact and outcomes from their MPLAN project
• Three student success stories or program highlights
• A budget report from the previous year identifying how the funds were used
• Lessons learned and continuous improvement efforts
• Evidence of progress toward building a community STEM ecosystem, which may include letters of support from:
• Community organizations
• Educational partners
• Industry collaborators
• Evidence provided should include at least one example of how academic programs at the Partner Institute align with:
• NASA mission areas
• Aerospace careers
• Related workforce pathways
• Evidence should clearly demonstrate connections between:
• Coursework
• Credentials
• Technical skills
• NASA career opportunities
6.1.2. Comprehensive Plan for the Upcoming Year
The Implementation Report must include a section titled “Comprehensive Plan” including information covering the following:
• Budget narrative providing a description of how the Partner Institute plans to utilize the $30,000 funds if awarded through this Challenge
• Planned implementation timeline and event agenda with estimated dates
• Description of new program elements, enhancements, or initiatives
• Description of collaborations and external partnerships
• Outline of connections to structured academic programs, certificates, and workforce pathways leading to employment in aerospace and defense industries
• Recruitment and outreach plan the Partner Institute will use to engage potential student participants
6.2. Appendices
Appendices are not included in the 20-page limit for the Implementation Report.
Appendices must be:
• Less than or equal to 5 pages
• Attached to the end of the Implementation Report
Appendices may include:
• References Cited:
• Participants may provide a list of published papers, articles, or media constructs that have direct relevance to or are direct results of the Partner Institute’s previous NCAS activities.
• Do not include links to websites that do not demonstrate a direct outcome from prior Partner Institute activities.
• Proposed Budget Spreadsheet:
• Participants may provide a separate budget spreadsheet to help reviewers understand the budget plan described in the narrative.
6.3. Electronic Recruitment Flyer or Poster
Partner Institutions must submit an example recruitment poster or flyer that demonstrates how they will recruit students into the upcoming NCAS cohort.
The electronic file must be:
• No more than 6 MB in size
• Readable to reviewers
It is the Partner Institute’s responsibility to ensure that uploaded files meet this size requirement while being readable to the reviewers.
Flyers or posters must include:
• A brief program overview of 1–2 sentences
• Key program dates, estimated or expected if not confirmed at the time of submission
• Student eligibility requirements
• A quote or testimonial from a previous NCAS participant
• A QR code, website, email address, or other contact information for potential participants to receive additional information
The NCAS Partner Institute Challenge utilizes a two-step evaluation process designed to ensure:
• Program quality
• Accountability
• Continuous improvement across all participating institutions
7.1. Screening: Completeness and Compliance Review
All submissions undergo an initial screening review to verify that required materials have been submitted and meet program requirements.
Screening reviewers will verify that:
• All required deliverables are included
• Submission components are complete and accessible
• Page limits and formatting requirements are followed
• Required budget information is provided
• Supporting documentation is included where applicable
Institutions with incomplete submissions or missing required components will be notified and provided an opportunity to revise and resubmit their materials within 48 hours of the notification.
After this 48-hour period, incomplete submissions may be deemed non-compliant and not passed forward to the next round of evaluation.
7.2. Scoring: Program Quality Review
Submissions that pass screening move to the scoring phase.
Reviewers evaluate each submission using a standardized rubric aligned with:
• NCAS program goals
• Student success outcomes
• Workforce development objectives
• Community engagement priorities
The purpose of scoring is to:
• Assess program effectiveness
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement
Institutions that do not meet the minimum performance threshold will receive reviewer feedback identifying areas requiring improvement and will be required to revise and resubmit materials addressing the identified gaps.
Institutions will have seven (7) calendar days from the date of notification to submit revised materials.
Resubmission is required for successful completion of the NCAS Partner Institute Challenge.
Failure to submit revised materials within the specified timeframe may result in the institution being deemed non-compliant and not successfully completing the Challenge requirements.
Institutions that meet or exceed the minimum performance threshold will successfully complete the Partner Institute Challenge requirements.
The following criteria will be used by reviewers to evaluate institutional performance, program impact, workforce alignment, and readiness for continued participation in the NCAS Community College Network.
8.1. Program Impact & Student Success
Point value: 0–5 points
Weight: 3X
Question: How effectively has the institution engaged students and supported meaningful educational, career, and workforce outcomes?
Reviewers will consider:
• How clearly does the institution describe the NCAS activities implemented during the reporting period?
• How effectively does the institution demonstrate student participation, engagement, and retention?
• How well does the institution provide evidence of positive student outcomes related to:
• Academic achievement
• Career exploration
• Workforce readiness
• Transfer success
• How compelling and representative are the student success stories or program highlights?
• How well does the institution communicate the overall impact of the program on students and the broader campus community?
8.2. Program Management & Continuous Improvement
Point value: 0–5 points
Weight: 2X
Question: How effectively has the institution implemented, managed, and strengthened its NCAS program?
Reviewers will consider:
• How clearly does the institution describe program operations and implementation strategies?
• How effectively does the institution demonstrate responsible stewardship of program resources and funding?
• How well does the budget report align with reported activities and outcomes?
• How thoughtfully does the institution reflect on lessons learned during implementation?
• How effectively does the institution identify and address opportunities for program improvement?
8.3. Partnerships, Recruitment & Community Engagement
Point value: 0–5 points
Weight: 2X
Question: How effectively does the institution build partnerships and engage stakeholders to recruit, support, and advance student success?
Reviewers will consider:
• How effectively does the institution engage:
• Community organizations
• Educational partners
• Industry stakeholders
• Workforce organizations
• How well does the institution demonstrate progress toward building a sustainable STEM ecosystem?
• How clearly does the institution identify and implement strategies for recruiting and engaging students?
• How effective and professional are the recruitment and outreach materials?
• How well do partnerships and outreach efforts contribute to:
• Student access
• Student support
• Career development
• Program sustainability
8.4. Workforce Alignment & Career Pathways
Point value: 0–5 points
Weight: 2X
Question: How effectively does the institution connect academic programs and student experiences to NASA-related careers, internships, and workforce opportunities?
Reviewers will consider:
• How clearly does the institution demonstrate alignment between academic programs, credentials, and NASA-related workforce pathways?
• How effectively does the institution connect students to:
• Aerospace internships
• STEM internships
• Defense-sector internships
• Career opportunities
• How well does the institution describe structured pathways leading to:
• Employment
• Internships
• Transfer opportunities
• Industry engagement
• How effectively does the institution leverage external partnerships to support workforce development goals?
• How clearly and effectively does the recruitment flyer communicate these connections?
8.5. Future Planning & Program Growth
Point value: 0–5 points
Weight: 1X
Question: How well prepared is the institution to implement and enhance the program during the upcoming year?
Reviewers will consider:
• How clearly does the institution present goals and priorities for the next program cycle?
• How realistic and actionable is the proposed implementation timeline and event agenda?
• How effectively does the proposed budget support planned activities and intended outcomes?
• How well does the institution identify opportunities for innovation, growth, or program enhancement?
• How effectively does the institution build upon lessons learned to strengthen future impact and sustainability?
Up to ten (10) $30,000 prizes will be awarded to eligible NASA NCAS Partner Institutes who:
• Pass the screening review
• Meet the minimum performance threshold determined by the NCAS Partner Institute Challenge Judges
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