The overall goal of the NC Space Grant Informal Education and Public Outreach Program is to increase interest in and understanding of STEM disciplines by inspiring and engaging individuals of all ages throughout North Carolina. The Informal Education and Public Outreach Program will consider proposals that utilize the STEM content of NASA missions to: (1) Promote life-long learning in North Carolina by students, educators, families, and retirees, using NASA-themed STEM and missions through informal education; (2) Build strategic partnerships and linkages between STEM formal and informal education providers that promote STEM literacy and awareness of NASA mission; (3) Encourage, inspire and engage large and diverse audiences via NASA contributions to everyday life; (4) Build linkages and connections to and from secondary education and higher education and informal education communities; (5) Improve understanding of NASA missions, contributions to STEM disciplines, and STEM careers, including faculty in pre-K-12 and higher education settings; and (6) Link and engage providers of informal and formal education, including institutions of higher education, particularly HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other minority serving institutions using NASA content through pilot projects that enable educators, parents, retirees, or community leaders to carry the NASA content back to their households, school, after school groups, summer camps, 4-H communities, etc.

Awards of up to $2,500 are granted and a 100% non-federal cost match required. Awardees are required to submit a final technical report at the conclusion of their project.