TCU Building Bridges Grant

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), in partnership with The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is excited to announce The TCU Building Bridges Grant Program, a Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) grant-funding opportunity that is being made available exclusively to Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Specifically, grants of up to $68,600 will be awarded to TCUs that prepare and respond to this call for proposals. Funds will be made available every 6 months through a competitive application process until March 2025.Through providing grant funds on a semi-annual basis, it is NASA’s hope that the Building Bridges Grant program grant will enhance the ability of TCUs to provide high quality STEM education programs, participate in collaborative STEM research initiatives, and ensure the inclusion of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in a well-prepared NASA STEM workforce. Specifically, the grant is designed to provide funds to improve infrastructure, update academic program content, student research opportunities, faculty professional development, bridging activities, and other initiatives to support TCU efforts to develop and enhance their STEM programs. Priority areas for support will include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Research opportunities for undergraduate students
• STEM program instrumentation/equipment acquisitions
• Course and curriculum enhancements (new courses, delivery support technologies)
• Professional development for TCU faculty, including conferences and workshops
• In-person meetings with NASA researchers and engineers available for collaborative projects
• Other activities that increase TCU students’ interest and engagement in STEM fields, at the elementary, high school and undergraduate level, including participation in STEM enrichment activities, conferences, workshops and competitionsIf awarded, grantees will also receive ongoing technical assistance from both AIHEC as well as NASA to support project success.

If you are interested in learning more about the TCU STEM grant launch and potentially applying for an upcoming cycle register for our webinars below and fill out the pre-application form: