Graduate Application Instructions

Graduate Application Instructions

Each application should include the following components:

  • Standard cover page (online application) including project summary (2000 character limit)
  • Upload and attach the following components to the online application
    • Narrative description of the project (1-4 pages)
    • Student resume (should include relevant courses taken or enrolled in)
    • Student transcript(s)
    • Recommendation Letter from your Faculty Supervisor
    • Commitment Letter/e-mail from collaborating researcher and affiliated NASA Field Center or indication that student/faculty is working on securing a NASA collaborator

It is required that students contact a faculty supervisor prior to writing of the proposal

Review Process

Proposals should be written so that a reviewer who is not in the same technical field can understand the goals, objectives, and scope of work, anticipated resources, and benefits to the body of knowledge or science. For an undergraduate scholarship a statement should be made regarding your motivation to pursue graduate studies. A subcommittee appointed by the MSGC University of Maine Representative will conduct the proposal selection.

Proposal Selection Criteria

An applicant must provide justification about how the project will enhance the research areas in which NASA has an interest. A strong application will provide a  clear correlation to mission directorates and will include collaboration with a NASA field center.  For information regarding the mission directorates and links to the field centers go to: https://www.nasa.gov/about/org_index.html

The following criteria will be central to the evaluation of all proposals:

  • Quality of the proposal narrative.
  • How well the proposal narrative demonstrates alignment with NASA mission directorates.
  • The qualifications of the student.
  • Level of faculty supervision.
  • Level of NASA collaboration (preferred not required).

Contact Information

Questions shall be directed via Email to cugr@maine.edu or by phone at 207-581- 3583.

You can also stop by CUGR office at 124 IMRC/Stewart Commons.