Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium

10/13/2026

Ready to Launch? Wisconsin College Rocketry Teams Wanted!

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) is gearing up for the 2026–2027 Collegiate Rocket Launch (CRL) Competition, and we want YOUR team to be part of the action!

Collegiate Rocket Launch: Design. Build. Fly. Compete!

Take on this year's Boosted Dart Challenge and put your engineering, creativity, and teamwork to the test!

🚀 Compete for awards of up to $3,000, including a VIP tour at Sierra Space for the Mission Grand Champion.

🚀 Receive support for rocket supplies, equipment, and eligible travel.

🚀 Gain real-world experience designing, building, and launching high-power rockets.

New to high-power rocketry? We've got you covered!

Through our Launch 2 Learn (L2L) workshop, eligible participants can build their own high-power rocket, learn flight simulation techniques, and work toward earning their Level 1 Tripoli Rocketry Association certification!

Faculty Advisors: Submit your team's Notice of Intent (NOI) and identify eligible Launch 2 Learn participants on your roster.

📅 Deadline: October 19, 2026!

💻 Visit the WSGC website to explore Collegiate Rocket Launch and Launch 2 Learn opportunities and get your team registered!

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

Take Your Team's Aerospace Ambitions to the Next Level!

Is your student team preparing to compete in a national aerospace or STEM competition? The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) wants to help you get there!

Through our National Competitions and Programs (NCP) funding opportunity, eligible student teams can receive up to $3,000 in funding to support participation in NASA-sponsored, Space Grant-administered, and industry-led competitions.

Eligible competitions and programs include:

- NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC)
- NASA Lunabotics
- NASA App Development Challenge (ADC)
- International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)
- NASA Student Launch
- NASA SUITS and Micro-G NExT
- And many more!

Whether your team is designing rockets, building lunar rovers, developing innovative technologies, or tackling real-world aerospace challenges, WSGC can help support your journey!

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Teams must apply to their selected national competition or program before submitting a WSGC funding application. Applications are submitted by the team's faculty advisor.

Applications Due October 19, 2026!

Visit the WSGC website and explore our National Competitions and Programs funding opportunity to learn more and apply.

10/12/2026

Congratulations to this week’s , Cecilia Degenhard! Cecilia is the recipient of a WSGC Second Stage Space Sciences Scholarship and is currently a Sophomore studying Geoscience and History at Carthage College.

Cecilia Degenhard is a Sophomore Geoscience and History major at Carthage College. Under Dr. Kevin Crosby, she works on the Microgravity Ullage Detection experiment, developing a non-invasive acoustic system that uses vibrations and external sensors to locate the liquid–vapor interface (ullage) in spacecraft propellant tanks under microgravity conditions. This technology aims to improve the safety and efficiency of in-space propellant transfer and refueling for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Cecilia plays an active role in designing, building, wiring, and testing payloads, including conducting acoustic tests, vibration checks, interface verification, iterative design improvements, and troubleshooting. She also assists in preparing technical documentation and user manuals for project partners, presents research at poster sessions, supports mission readiness activities, and helps lead lab tours.

In addition to her research, Cecilia is also involved in community outreach and STEM education. As a WSGC intern, she supports recruitment, communication, and engagement efforts for WSGC initiatives and the Carthage Space Sciences program. Prior to starting with WSGC and Carthage College, Cecilia was a competitive robotics team captain and assistant administrator for a middle school robotics league, where she coached elementary and middle school students, managed tournaments, and encouraged youth participation in STEM. In her free time, Cecilia enjoys reading, volunteering in the community, and working as a student ambassador at Carthage College.

Congratulations Cecilia, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors!
Carthage College

10/09/2026

Your Research. Your Ideas. Your Future!

Have a research idea you're ready to explore? The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) wants to help you turn your curiosity into discovery!

Our Undergraduate Research Scholarship provides $5,000 in funding to support independent, student-led research projects in STEM fields aligned with NASA missions.

Funding opportunities are available for: Spring 2027

Whether your interests are in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, aerospace, or another STEM discipline, this is your opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, work alongside a faculty mentor, and contribute to NASA-related research.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Applicants must submit TWO letters of recommendation, including one from their faculty research mentor. Connect with your mentor early to allow time for your letters to be submitted!

📅 Applications Due October 19, 2026!
💻 Visit the WSGC website and explore our Undergraduate Research Scholarship funding opportunity to learn more and apply.
Students from smaller colleges and universities are especially encouraged to apply!

Awards are subject to funding availability.

10/09/2026

🚀 Have a Great STEM Outreach Idea? WSGC Wants to Help!

Inspire curiosity. Spark innovation. Build stronger communities through STEM!

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) is accepting applications for its Aerospace Outreach Program, offering up to $5,000 in funding to support new and ongoing STEM outreach initiatives.

Whether you're bringing hands-on science experiences to classrooms, connecting students with aerospace professionals, or creating opportunities for communities to explore NASA missions, WSGC wants to help you make an impact!

🌟 Who can apply? K-12 schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit aerospace associations, businesses, and government agencies.

📅 Application Deadline: October 19, 2026

💻 Visit the WSGC website and explore our Funding Opportunities to learn more and apply!

Awards require a minimum 1:1 cost-share commitment.

10/08/2026

✈️ Your Future in Aviation Starts Here!

Dreaming of a career in aviation? Let WSGC help you take your passion to new heights!

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium is offering $3,000 Aviation Scholarships to support outstanding undergraduate students pursuing aviation-related careers. Scholarship recipients can use their award to attend the 2027 Women in Aviation International (WAI) Conference in Savannah, Georgia, or another aviation conference of their choice.

Whether you're pursuing pilot training, aerospace engineering, aviation management, or another aviation-related field, this is an opportunity to expand your knowledge, build professional connections, and invest in your future!

📅 Applications due October 19, 2026!
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://spacegrant.carthage.edu/live/profiles/2005-aviation-scholarship

10/07/2026

T-Minus TWO WEEKS!

The countdown is on! WSGC Fall Funding applications are due October 19.

Whether you’re interested in research, aviation, rocketry, STEM outreach, or national competitions, there’s still time to find the WSGC opportunity that’s right for you.

🎓 Scholarships

🔬 Research opportunities

🚀 Team-sponsored programs and competitions

🌎 STEM and aerospace outreach grants

First-time applicants and WSGC alumni are welcome to apply!

Explore current opportunities and submit your application by October 19 at spacegrant.carthage.edu.

10/05/2026

Questions about WSGC funding? We’re here to help!

Whether you’re a current WSGC awardee with questions about your award or are considering applying for funding this fall, drop into one of our virtual Office Hours and chat with WSGC staff.

📅 Oct. 7 | 12–1 p.m. CT
💻 Zoom

No presentation and no appointment needed—just stop by and ask your questions!

WisconsinSpaceGrant

Join Zoom Meeting
https://carthage-edu.zoom.us/j/93794449924

10/05/2026

Congratulations to this week’s , George Kharchilava! George is the recipient of a WSGC Graduate and Professional Research Fellowship and is currently a Ph.D. Student studying Astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

George V. Kharchilava is a current second year physics Ph.D. student at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), with an interest in the fields of astrophysics, astronomy, and
cosmology. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics with a minor in
mathematics at Rutgers, where he completed a senior honors thesis involving his work on emission-line spectroscopy of galaxies. Following his graduation, his work culminated into a first author paper published to the peer-reviewed journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. At UWM, he is working on mapping the circumgalactic medium of galaxies through their emission and absorption, which he plans to culminate into a Ph.D. thesis. 

George is a first-generation student who aims to work both in research and science education following his graduate degree. Beyond academia, he finds interest in traveling, playing piano, and physical activities both outdoor and indoor.

Congratulations George, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors!

UW-Milwaukee Rutgers University