About MSGC

The Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) is an Affiliate-based 501(c)(3) corporation and a member of the national network of Consortia in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The network is funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (also known as Space Grant).  Space Grant was established by Congress in 1988 to contribute to the nation’s science and engineering enterprise.

Our mission is to:

  • Improve our Affiliates research infrastructure in areas of mutual interest to NASA and the state of Maine;
  • Encourage more students to consider careers in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and
  • Enhance NASA’s presence throughout the State of Maine.

Our Affiliates are undergraduate and graduate institutions, not-for-profit research laboratories, state agencies, technology-based businesses and science and education organizations, all of whom help further NASA’s goals while benefiting Maine in many different areas of science and technology.

Through our Affiliates we achieve our mission by competitively funding projects in four national objectives: Research Infrastructure, Higher Education, Pre-College and Public Service.  Specifically, we:

  • Provide scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students studying science and engineering at Maine colleges and universities.
  • Provide seed research grants and travel grants to stimulate collaborative endeavors between Maine researchers and researchers at NASA’s field centers.
  • Provide undergraduate students with internship opportunities at NASA and in the State of Maine.
  • Provide support for in-service STEM-focused professional development.
  • Provide summer internships for Maine High School teachers and students with Maine businesses conducting STEM related research and education.
  • Conduct outreach to Maine schools and communities and promote opportunities in science and engineering research and education.
  • Support informal science education activities designed to inspire future scientists and engineers and enhance public awareness of the impact of S&T and NASA on everyday life.

The Maine Space Grant Consortium is overseen by a Board of Directors that is representative of the knowledge and experience to our mission. Grant programs and activities are guided and evaluated by the Board approved Strategic and Evaluation Plans.

Commitment to Accessibility and Workforce Development

The Maine Space Grant Consortium is committed to fostering a professional and welcoming environment that supports the development of a skilled and innovative workforce. To maximize our program’s effectiveness, we recognize that we must embed these values in our organizational expectations and daily operations.

Ensuring that our programs support workforce growth and opportunity will contribute to the state’s efforts to develop its next generation of professionals at a time when Maine’s population is growing older. We also recognize that addressing challenges in workforce development requires proactive measures to strengthen participation across all aspects of our programmatic portfolio.

Our program will continue to strive for excellence in workforce development by:

  • Recruiting, retaining, and preparing a highly qualified workforce across all levels of our organizational structure.
  • Engaging and serving all communities and stakeholders that contribute to the success of our programs.
  • Creating and facilitating learning and research opportunities that expand access to educational and professional advancement.

We value participation and opportunity in many forms:

Professional Growth
We support people of all backgrounds, skills, and experiences in advancing their careers. We remain committed to increasing the participation of qualified individuals in our grantee programs, workforce initiatives, and the broader professional communities we serve. Additionally, we recognize our responsibility to expand training and workforce development efforts that support long-term career success.

Equal Opportunity
We uphold the principles of fairness and equal access to opportunities for all individuals. We welcome participation from all communities and remain committed to supporting a workplace and research environment that is free from discrimination and bias. We strive to build awareness and competencies that support professional success.

Workforce Readiness
We are dedicated to developing research, education, and training programs that prepare individuals for careers in science, technology, engineering, and related fields. We believe in an adaptable approach to funding that supports emerging talent and fosters collaboration across academia, industry, and government. Our goal is to contribute to a robust and dynamic workforce pipeline that supports economic and technological growth.

We expect that implementing this vision will be an ongoing and evolving process, one which our program will support and prioritize.