NASA today released a cooperative agreement notice (CAN)
in preparation for an upcoming agency program announcement
that will provide scholarships to university and college
students.

The CAN is the first step prior to the debut of the agency’s
Science and Technology Scholarship Program (STSP). NASA is
seeking to competitively select a partner to administer and
coordinate program activities. The activities would include
eligibility criteria, scholarship funding, retention
requirements, service obligation, non-completion and non-
compliance penalties. NASA will maintain overall management
and oversight of the program.

“This program will be an unprecedented opportunity for two
and four-year university and college students,” said Dr.
Adena Williams Loston, NASA’s Chief Education Officer. “The
program will set the standard for inspiring and motivating
our young men and women to ensure our nation’s future
leadership in science and technology to fulfill the Vision
for Space Exploration.”

To attain the Vision for Space Exploration, one of NASA’s
strategic goals and missions is to inspire and motivate
students to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STSP is a competitive
scholarship program intended to guide students toward those
careers. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible.
Following graduation, students successfully completing the
program will be appointed to full-time positions with NASA.

The program will be open to diverse geographic and
demographic individuals enrolled in accredited university,
college or community college degree programs specializing in
STEM fields. The STSP was specifically created to attract the
best and brightest students in STEM areas of study. In
exchange for scholarships and research stipend support, STSP
students must agree to fulfill a service obligation following
graduation.

Organizations interested in partnering with NASA to develop
and coordinate the STSP are invited to submit proposals.
Participation is open to domestic organizations that include,
universities and colleges, professional societies, industry,
nonprofit, and academic institutions. Proposals from entities
outside the U.S. will not be considered.

Deadline for proposals is October 28, 2004.

NASA will select one organization in November. The program
will officially debut in December 2004. In December details
will be released about application procedures and deadlines,
selection criteria, scholarship funding and future NASA
workforce requirements.

To view the CAN announcement on the Internet, visit:
http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_n/nra/current/NNH04ZNH002C/i
ndex.html

For information about NASA education programs on the
Internet, visit:
http://education.nasa.gov

For information about NASA and agency programs on the
Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov