NASA wants Cal Poly students to join the 2024 BIG Idea Challenge!
You are invited to submit proposals for inflatable technologies, structures and systems that could support future operations on the moon. Entrants should not focus solely on the use of inflatables for lunar habitats.
When selecting proposals, NASA is actively looking to expand submissions from new institutions, diverse teams, interdisciplinary teams, partnering teams and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
Selected teams will receive awards ranging between $50,000 and $150,000 to bring their ideas to life. Finalist teams will spend nine months further designing, developing, building and testing their proposed concepts, which they will present to a panel of NASA and industry judges at a forum from Nov. 5-7, 2024. The BIG Idea Challenge is open to teams comprised of up to 25 undergraduate and/or graduate students at accredited U.S.-based colleges and universities officially affiliated with their state’s Space Grant Consortium.
Not a Space Grant member? No problem! Non-Space Grant affiliated universities may partner with a Space Grant affiliated academic institution who takes a primary role on the project. There may also be other ways to participate. Contact bigidea@nianet.org for assistance.
Interested in participating? A non-binding Notice of Intent (NOI) is encouraged by Oct. 22. Teams can still submit proposals even if they haven’t submitted an NOI by Oct. 22, but submitting a NOI will enable the team to receive pertinent challenge updates and to be invited to participate in helpful events prior to the proposal deadline, including a Q&A session with the judges on Nov. 7.
Proposals are due Feb. 1. Visit the challenge website for more information, including a comprehensive set of proposal guidelines and important dates.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at bigidea@nianet.org if you have any questions, and we can’t wait to see a proposal from your team!
