NASA Science Mission Directorate
The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is an organization where discoveries in one scientific discipline have a direct route to other areas of study. Visit the SMD website for calls for proposals and additional opportunities.
https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/
NASA’s Next Gen STEM Career Day
Career Day 2025 – Discover your path. Today’s students are the future of STEM – even if they don’t know it just yet.
NASA has big plans for exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond; and we’ll need today’s students no matter where they are starting from. Whether you’re aiming for a four-year degree, a two-year community college program, or pursuing hands-on technical training, there is a place in space for you! Virtual Career Connections provide valuable opportunities to connect with the people of NASA and gain insights into real-world career paths. By participating, you’ll discover the skills you need to pursue these careers. The NASA Experts you’ll meet have walked the path you’re considering and can provide authentic perspectives on the skills, challenges, and rewards of their careers. Whether you’re exploring options or have a specific career goal in mind, these connections provide crucial context for why certain skills matter and how they’re applied in the workplace.
Registration Deadline: 10.4.2025
NASA Virtual Career Connection-Career Technical Education Series
A pre-college STEM experience – “NASA is at the forefront of innovation in aerospace, and we are proud to help shape the future of transportation, technology, and exploration. The aerospace industry is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sectors, with advancements ranging from airplanes to cutting-edge space exploration. Jobs in these sectors require hands-on specialized skills and we are excited to show you what a future Career Technical Education career could look like here at NASA.”
Episodes – *varying registration deadlines, please see links
5.01.2025 -Space Welders: https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/s/course-offering/a0BSJ000002Xtiv/virtual-career-connection-cte-series-space-welders
5.08.2025 -Sheet Metal Expert: https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/s/course-offering/a0BSJ000002Xuv7/virtual-career-connection-cte-series-sheet-metal-expert
5.15.2025 -Equipment Specialist: https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/s/course-offering/a0BSJ000002Xv6P/virtual-career-connectioncte-series-equipment-specialist
2025 Kibo Robot Programming Challenge
“The Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC) is an educational program in which students solve various problems by moving free-flying robots (Astrobee) with student’s program in the International Space Station (ISS).”
Registration Deadline: 5.12.2025
https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/…/a0BSJ000001…/2025-kiborpc
GOES Virtual Visits
Schools, museums, science centers, and other educational organizations have the opportunity to interact with NASA and NOAA experts about the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites. Open now – May 31, 2025.
https://www.goes-r.gov/resources/education.htmlWebinar: 3D Thursdays for Rural Educators
A monthly series with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate that connects rural educators to resources, networking, and professional development opportunities. Webinars will be hosted on the first Thursday of every month, with a target audience of rural educators grades 3-12.
https://smd-cms.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/jan-5-2023-3d-flyer.pdfDownlink schedule
Connect to LIVE question and answer sessions with astronauts aboard the ISS! Educators can apply to host a downlink as well.
https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/in-flight-education-downlinks-schedule/Annual World Space Week
“World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10.”
Dragonfly Student and Early Career Investigator Program
Set to launch in 2028, NASA’s Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft lander to explore a variety of locations on Saturn’s moon Titan. Graduate students are invited to apply for a two-year term to work with Dragonfly mission team members to conduct Titan research, help formulate Dragonfly mission science and operations plans, or assist in the development of instrumentation, hardware, or testing.
https://dragonfly.jhuapl.edu/Student-Opportunities/
Registration Deadline: 6.9.2025
NASA Spinoff in Sports Series
Virtual Career Connections – Learn about NASA technologies that have found their way into the sporting world. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session following this talk.
A pre-college STEM experience – Registration Ends: 4.4.2025
https://stemgateway.nasa.gov/s/course-offering/a0BSJ000001FboH2AS/410-nasa-spinoffs-in-sports-series-play-ball
NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs
DEADLINE to apply: March 1, 2025
See openings here: https://npp.orau.org/index.html
Workshop: RockOn! 2025
DEADLINE to register: February 14, 2025
Join NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia for a week long, hands-on workshop. This is a great opportunity to learn the science behind building sounding rockets, and launching them into space! Learn more and register here: https://www.nasa.gov/wallops/stem/rock-on/
NASA’s Artifact Program
DEADLINE to Apply: January 31, 2025
Bring authentic space artifacts into you classroom, museum, or nonprofit events with this fantastic opportunity: https://artifacts.nasa.gov