Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH20ZEA001N USRC
NASA Headquarters is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called the University Student Research Challenge (USRC), released as solicitation NNH20ZEA001N-USRC under an amendment to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA#82112020) notice. The program is designed specifically to motivate university students to develop and propose fresh aeronautics ideas that connect directly to NASA Aeronautics priorities, with an emphasis on turning early concepts into tangible, research-driven projects that can advance the state of aviation and aeronautics technology.
The core purpose of the USRC is to fund student-led projects from accredited U.S. colleges and universities that explore new concepts or technologies relevant to aeronautics. NASA is looking for proposals that might advance aircraft or aviation system design, develop technologies or operational capabilities that support aviation, demonstrate a novel aeronautics concept in a credible way, or otherwise enable progress in aeronautics-related technologies. In practice, this can include a wide range of research and development topics so long as the work is aligned with aeronautics and can be framed as a meaningful step forward, whether through analysis, experimentation, prototyping, or proof-of-concept demonstration.
A distinctive feature of this challenge is that it blends traditional grant support with an entrepreneurship-style requirement: selected student teams are expected to raise a modest cost share through a crowdfunding platform. NASA presents this crowdfunding component as an educational accelerator because it pushes students to communicate their work clearly, plan and market a campaign, and take initiative in a way that resembles real-world technology development and startup behavior. The crowdfunding aspect is also intended to increase public visibility of student research, helping broader audiences understand and engage with aeronautics innovation happening at universities.
From a submission and timing standpoint, this solicitation does not require a Notice of Intent (NOI), which lowers the barrier to entry and simplifies early participation. Proposals are short, limited to three pages, and are reviewed in cycles. For the cycle referenced in the posting, the first proposal due date was November 12, 2020, with two additional evaluation cycles allowing later submissions due on February 25, 2021 and June 24, 2021. This cycle-based structure gives teams multiple entry points across the academic year, which can be especially helpful for student schedules and project planning.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) supporting science and technology research and development, and it is listed under CFDA number 43.002. Eligibility is described as unrestricted in the source listing, while the narrative makes clear the program intent is to support students at accredited U.S. colleges and universities. The announcement was created on September 22, 2020, and the original closing date for the first cycle aligns with the November 12, 2020 deadline. The posting does not specify an award ceiling or the number of expected awards in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full solicitation on NSPIRES for budget limits, selection details, and any additional requirements tied to the grant and the crowdfunding cost-share component.Apply for NNH20ZEA001N USRC
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Student Research Challenge" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.002.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-09-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: NASA Headquarters
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Required)
Previous opportunity: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program CFDA Number 84.323A
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NNH20ZEA001N USRC
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NNH20ZEA001N USRC) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Young Faculty Award (YFA) Apply for DARPA RA 21 01 Funding Number: DARPA RA 21 01 Agency: DARPA - Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Algebra and Number Theory Apply for PD 20 1264 Funding Number: PD 20 1264 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Law & Science Apply for PD 21 128Y Funding Number: PD 21 128Y Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Delaware River Basin Restoration Program - Conservation Blueprint Apply for F20AS00217 Funding Number: F20AS00217 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DOE ESPCoR) Implementation Grants Apply for DE FOA 0002431 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002431 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Computational Chemical Sciences Apply for DE FOA 0002426 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002426 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Western Kenya Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Apply for BAA OAA OEGI WASH 2020 Funding Number: BAA OAA OEGI WASH 2020 Agency: Kenya USAID-Nairobi Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| I2O PostDoc Fellowship Apply for DARPA RA 21 02 Funding Number: DARPA RA 21 02 Agency: DARPA - Information Innovation Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Naval Research Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Apply for N00173 20 S HD01 Funding Number: N00173 20 S HD01 Agency: Naval Research Laboratory Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nuclear Data Interagency Working Group (NDIAWG) Research Program Apply for DE FOA 0002440 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002440 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Scientific Discovery Through Advanced Computing: Partnerships in Basic Energy Sciences Apply for DE FOA 0002441 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002441 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| B.3 - System-Wide Safety (SWS) Project Apply for NNH20ZEA001N SWS Funding Number: NNH20ZEA001N SWS Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Materials and Chemical Sciences Research for Quantum Information Science Apply for DE FOA 0002449 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002449 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Nuclear Physics Apply for DE FOA 0002456 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002456 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Outreach Assessment Apply for F21AS00229 Funding Number: F21AS00229 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| 2021 Preservation Technology and Training Grants Apply for P21AS00252 Funding Number: P21AS00252 Agency: National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Defense Production Act Title III Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity; Call 009 Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) Production Capability for DoD Munitions Project Apply for FA8650 19 S 5010 CALL 009 Funding Number: FA8650 19 S 5010 CALL 009 Agency: Air Force -- Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) State Partnership Support Program Apply for 2021 NIST MEP STATE PARTNERSHIP 01 Funding Number: 2021 NIST MEP STATE PARTNERSHIP 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Desert Southwest CESU Apply for G21AS00269 Funding Number: G21AS00269 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU - Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G21AS00286 Funding Number: G21AS00286 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $570,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NNH20ZEA001N USRC", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.