We are excited to share that we are embarking on the 10th year of the Micro-g NExT (Microgravity Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams) challenge. Micro-g NExT is an opportunity for undergraduate students to work directly with NASA engineers to design prototypes for real-world (or out-of-this-world) engineering design challenges. Those prototypes are then tested onsite with the students at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. This challenge gives students the opportunity to see the engineering design process from beginning to end under the mentorship and guidance of real NASA engineers.

Students will be able to participate directly in the Artemis missions as we design and build the tools that will take humans to sustainable habitation on and around our Moon and eventually Mars.

A letter of intent is due September 19th (though this isn't a hard requirement for selection, it is helpful for us in planning). Official proposals are due October the 10th and we will announce selected teams November 14th. For selected teams a mission briefing will follow on the 28th and 29th of November. Preliminary design reviews will take place January 30th and 31st. Test Equipment Data Packages and proof of concept videos are due in April and the onsite test week is June 3-6th at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. There are upcoming information sessions to share more and answer questions. Those take place on the following: September 6, September 14, and September 26 all at 6pm CDT.

Website: https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/about-micro-g-next

Managing Organization: NASA

Contact:

JSC-REDUCEDGRAVITY@nasa.gov

Eligibility:
Each prospective team member must meet all the following requirements:

• Enrolled as an undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (junior college, community college, college, university) at the time the proposal is submitted.
• 16 or older before arrival in Houston.
• U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

Additionally, each team must meet all the following requirements:

• Supervising faculty member from an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning.
• All primary team members must attend the orientation, preliminary design review, test readiness review, and prototype test week events.
• Primary team members may only participate with one team in the same challenge.
• Teams may not have more than two former Micro-g NExT team members per team.

Other Considerations:

• Teams can consist of multiple institutions collaborating in the same challenge.
• Team make-up should include an interdisciplinary aspect of any academic study area.
• Teams may receive support from university students of any level, faculty members, professional consultants etc., however only primary team members may participant in test week activities at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
• During prototype test week up to six primary team members and one faculty advisor will be allowed to travel to JSC.
• One proposal per team.

Registration Opens: August 22, 2023

Registration Closes: October 10, 2023

We are excited to share that we are embarking on the 10th year of the Micro-g NExT (Microgravity Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams) challenge. Micro-g NExT is an opportunity for undergraduate students to work directly with NASA engineers to design prototypes for real-world (or out-of-this-world) engineering design challenges. Those prototypes are then tested onsite with the students at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. This challenge gives students the opportunity to see the engineering design process from beginning to end under the mentorship and guidance of real NASA engineers.

Students will be able to participate directly in the Artemis missions as we design and build the tools that will take humans to sustainable habitation on and around our Moon and eventually Mars.

A letter of intent is due September 19th (though this isn't a hard requirement for selection, it is helpful for us in planning). Official proposals are due October the 10th and we will announce selected teams November 14th. For selected teams a mission briefing will follow on the 28th and 29th of November. Preliminary design reviews will take place January 30th and 31st. Test Equipment Data Packages and proof of concept videos are due in April and the onsite test week is June 3-6th at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. There are upcoming information sessions to share more and answer questions. Those take place on the following: September 6, September 14, and September 26 all at 6pm CDT.

Website: https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/about-micro-g-next

Managing Organization: NASA

Contact:

JSC-REDUCEDGRAVITY@nasa.gov

Eligibility:
Each prospective team member must meet all the following requirements:

• Enrolled as an undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (junior college, community college, college, university) at the time the proposal is submitted.
• 16 or older before arrival in Houston.
• U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

Additionally, each team must meet all the following requirements:

• Supervising faculty member from an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning.
• All primary team members must attend the orientation, preliminary design review, test readiness review, and prototype test week events.
• Primary team members may only participate with one team in the same challenge.
• Teams may not have more than two former Micro-g NExT team members per team.

Other Considerations:

• Teams can consist of multiple institutions collaborating in the same challenge.
• Team make-up should include an interdisciplinary aspect of any academic study area.
• Teams may receive support from university students of any level, faculty members, professional consultants etc., however only primary team members may participant in test week activities at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
• During prototype test week up to six primary team members and one faculty advisor will be allowed to travel to JSC.
• One proposal per team.

Registration Opens: August 22, 2023

Registration Closes: October 10, 2023