Required Elements 

• Demonstrated understanding of NASA’s Universe of Learning resources.
• Clear plan for engaging diverse and underrepresented audiences.
• Strong partnerships with local or regional organizations.
• Detailed description of project goals and community impact.
• Active membership of either Smithsonian Affiliations or the Association of Science and Technology Centers.

Preferred Characteristics 

• Innovative use of NASA’s Universe of Learning resources.
• Co-creation with audiences or community partners.
• Plans for sustainability of partnerships and programming for long-term impact.

Selection Criteria 

• Alignment with NASA’s Universe of Learning educational objectives.
• Potential for broad community impact and engagement.
• Cost-effectiveness and practicality of the budget.
• Organizational capacity to execute the proposed project.

Timeline

• All awarded programs must come to a close by November 2025. 

Available Funding Tiers

This RFP offers two funding tiers, Launchpad and Voyager, to address the specific needs of both new and returning participants. This reflects our commitment to fostering both the initiation and deepening of astrophysics-themed learning collaborations.

Launchpad 

Purpose: Introduce new participants to NASA’s Universe of Learning, focusing on initial integration and community engagement.

Funding Level: $2,500 - $5,000

Eligibility: All ASTC member organizations or Smithsonian Affiliates

Expectations:

• Utilize NASA’s Universe of Learning resources to create introductory STEM programs.
• Engage local communities, especially those underserved in STEM.
• Participate in the ILN’s virtual monthly "Cosmic Conversations."

Voyager

Purpose: Deepen and expand existing partnerships, emphasizing co-creation and community-wide impacts.

Funding Level: $5,000 - $10,000

Eligibility: Returning members with prior NASA’s Universe of Learning funding.

Expectations:

• Enhance and scale up previous projects using NASA’s UoL resources.
• Demonstrate significant community and partner engagement and co-creation.
• Showcase successful implementations and collaborations.
• Participate in the ILN’s virtual monthly "Cosmic Conversations."

Core Learning Objectives

1. Science Literacy: Enhancing understanding of astrophysics concepts and the scientific process.
2. Community Engagement: Leveraging NASA’s Universe of Learning resources to engage and inspire diverse communities, especially those underrepresented in STEM fields.
3. Learning Integration: Incorporating NASA’s science content into dynamic programming to enrich learning experiences and outcomes, as well as, sharing out program models for others to adapt through the NASA’s Universe of Learning website.

Cosmic Engagement 

Engaging with the Community Through Cosmic Conversations

As part of this tier's engagement, organizations are encouraged to participate in Cosmic Conversations—monthly virtual meetings that last approximately half an hour. These sessions are pivotal for:

• Knowledge Sharing: Presenting the latest developments in astrophysics research and innovations in educational practices related to NASA’s science missions and the broader NASA Science Activation Program.
• Program Highlights: Showcasing successful past programs and detailing upcoming initiatives within the network, providing a platform for new members to learn and plan their engagement strategies.
• Community Building: Facilitating discussions and networking among members to foster collaboration and share insights across different contexts and locations.

Selection Criteria 

• Alignment with Learning Objectives: Clarity in how the program aligns with the core learning objectives of NASA’s Universe of Learning.
• Community Engagement Plan: Detailed strategies for using NASA’s Universe of Learning resources to engage diverse communities.
• Innovative Approach: Creativity in project design and potential for impactful outcomes.
• Preparedness for Network Integration: Readiness to actively participate in network activities like Cosmic Conversations.

Extended Requirements for Voyagers

1. Co-Creation and Community Impact:
   Applicants must describe how the project will be co-created with community partners. This should include details on collaborative processes and shared goals that align with both the organization’s and NASA’s Universe of Learning mission to provide resources and experiences that enable educators to engage their audiences in the science, the story, and the adventure of NASA’s scientific exploration of the Universe beyond our Solar System.
2. Showcasing Partnerships:
   Detail existing and new partnerships, including the roles and contributions of each partner. Highlight how these partnerships contribute to the project’s goals and the enhancement of community impact.
3. Sustainability of Impact:
   Describe measures that will ensure the project’s impact continues beyond the funding period. This may include developing resources that remain accessible to the community, training for educators, or strategies to secure additional funding.
4. Advancement of Previous Projects:
   Applicants should explain how the new proposal builds on their previous initiatives. Highlight advancements in the use of NASA’s Universe of Learning resources, deeper levels of community engagement, and any scaling of project scope.
5. Evaluation of Outcomes:
   Provide a clear plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the project. Include both quantitative and qualitative metrics that will measure the impact on participants and the community.

Selection Criteria

• Depth of Community Engagement: Evidence of deep and meaningful engagement with community partners.

• Innovativeness in Co-Creation: Creativity and effectiveness in integrating diverse perspectives and resources.

• Enhancement Over Previous Work: Clear advancements compared to previous projects in terms of scale, depth, or innovation.

• Sustainability and Legacy: Strong plans for the program’s sustainability and long-term community benefit.

• Effectiveness of Evaluation Strategy: Robustness of the proposed methods to assess and report on project outcomes.

Letter of Support 

Preview Application

Apply Here

Due Date

Introduction into UoL Content Themes & Resources  

Past Program Models