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NASA International Year of Astronomy - Student Ambassadors Program

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NASA International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassadors Program is intended to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to participate in NASA's IYA activities and to help generate excitement about NASA scientific discoveries in astrophysics, planetary science and solar physics within their local communities and beyond. These students will serve as role models to others in the community.

Awards

  • Up to 52 students will be selected for a one-year award of up to $2,700. Students will receive a $2,000 stipend and up to $700 for reimbursement of materials, supplies, and travel expenses for the execution of their activities.
  • Two NASA IYA Ambassadors will be selected to participate in the IYA Opening Ceremony in Paris, France, January 2009 and each will receive a $5000 travel allowance.

Requirements for NASA IYA Student Ambassadors

  • Must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2009, and in an institution of higher learning that is a member of the state Space Grant consortium
  • Full time student- graduate or undergraduate
  • Must have or be able to secure a valid passport for travel to France by January 1, 2009 if chosen to attend IYA 2009 Opening Ceremony
  • Participate in activities that align with NASA IYA goal "to offer an engaging astronomy experience to every person in the country, nurture existing partnerships, and build new connections to sustain public interested in astronomy" to help generate excitement (view NASA's IYA Goals)

How to Apply

Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of student proposals will be based on these factors:

  • The proposed activities are clearly aligned with and support the NASA IYA goals
  • The student has the skills and capability to carry out the proposed effort
  • Academic achievement

The NASA International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassadors Program is administered by National Space Grant Foundation

NASA has become an Organizational Associate of IYA 2009, and has begun developing a series of programs aligned to the U.S. IYA themes. (See http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov/ for details of the NASA IYA efforts. See http://www.astronomy2009.us/ for the overall U.S. effort).