University Student Research Challenge (USRC) – A Pilot Project | NNH16ZEA001N USRC

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH16ZEA001N USRC

The University Student Research Challenge (USRC) is a NASA Headquarters grant opportunity released as part of Amendment 4 to the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2016 solicitation (NRA), posted through NASA's NSPIRES system. It is framed as a pilot project designed to spark more student-led innovation in aeronautics by supporting early-stage, high-potential ideas that could eventually create brand-new capabilities for aviation. The effort is run by NASA's Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP), which focuses on novel and potentially game-changing concepts rather than incremental improvements alone.

A defining feature of this challenge is that it combines traditional grant support with a cost-sharing expectation tied to public fundraising. In addition to receiving NASA grant funding, student teams are expected to raise cost-sharing funds using crowdfunding platforms, effectively demonstrating public interest and helping stretch the overall project budget. The intent is to encourage students not only to do strong technical work, but also to practice communicating their ideas, building momentum, and proving there is wider buy-in for the concept.

The opportunity targets students affiliated with accredited U.S. colleges or universities and looks for aeronautics-related project ideas backed by genuine commitment to developing them. Projects must align with the ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan (referenced in the solicitation at https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/strategy) and must address one of ARMD's six strategic thrusts as they relate to aviation. While the notice does not list the thrusts directly, the requirement signals that proposals need to clearly map their technical approach and expected outcomes to NASA's current aeronautics priorities, rather than being purely academic or loosely connected to flight.

NASA indicates that the solicitation's objectives can be met through a range of project types, as long as they advance aeronautics in a meaningful way. Examples include advancing aircraft or aviation system design, developing technologies or capabilities that support aviation, demonstrating a novel concept through prototyping or experimentation, or enabling progress in aeronautics-related technologies that could later mature into operational use. In practice, this means proposals should emphasize what is new or transformative about the idea, how it will be validated (analysis, testing, demonstration), and what kind of capability it could unlock for aviation if successful.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using the grant instrument, categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 43.002). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the source data, though the narrative clearly centers on student participation through accredited U.S. institutions, so applicants would be expected to fit the student-focused intent and comply with NASA's standard submission and award requirements on NSPIRES. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are explicitly not required, reducing an early procedural step and allowing teams to focus directly on preparing the full proposal.

The key deadline provided is the proposal due date of October 16, 2017, and the opportunity was created on April 18, 2017. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the included fields, so applicants would need to consult the full NSPIRES posting and the amendment text for budget limits, evaluation criteria, and detailed instructions. Overall, USRC is positioned as a student-driven, innovation-oriented aeronautics challenge that blends NASA support with crowdfunding-based cost sharing to cultivate both technical progress and broader engagement around new aviation concepts.

• The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Student Research Challenge (USRC) – A Pilot Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.002.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-04-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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