The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium (ASGC), headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, on Friday announced it has been awarded an $800,000 grant by NASA to support workforce development, STEM education and aerospace research throughout the state.
The funding is part of NASA’s national Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, which will provide up to $870,000 annually to each of the 52 institutions in the program across the U.S. over the next four years. The program is designed to build a highly skilled workforce equipped to advance NASA’s mission and strengthen the country’s aerospace sector.
“This is our prime award and the foundation of our efforts to develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators in Arkansas,” said Constance Meadors, director of the ASGC, said in a news release. “It allows us to fund student internships, student and faculty-led research, and educational outreach across all corners of the state.”
The ASGC supports 18 colleges and universities through a variety of programs, including grants, student internships and collaborative research projects aligned with NASA’s mission directorates. In 2025, 10 Arkansas students will participate in internships at NASA centers, nine of which were funded by a previous grant.
Initiatives supported by the award include hands-on opportunities in aerospace technologies like high-altitude ballooning, autonomous vehicle competitions and competitive rocket programs.
One of the new initiatives supported by this year’s grant is a portable planetarium program. Originally housed at UA Little Rock, portable planetariums will be available at affiliate campuses across the state, including Southern Arkansas University, Henderson State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
Additionally, the ASGC is preparing to launch its first NASA ASTRO Camp program in Arkansas this fall. The camp will provide faculty and students with comprehensive materials designed to immerse young learners in space exploration, STEM topics, and authentic NASA experiences.
“We’re excited to continue and expand the work of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium,” Meadors said. “This grant will help us reach more students and communities, and we remain committed to serving every corner of the state.”
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