STudent Academic Research Review (STARR) | Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium

The 2025-26 STudent Academic Research Review (STARR) Award Program will currently OPEN.

STARR is open to students attending OSGC Community College and 4-Year Member Institutions.

Introduction

The Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is a member of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant). OSGC supports the Agency’s objectives of fostering and encouraging careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and STEM education to develop a skilled, high-performing, capable, and workforce-ready next generation. Access to experiential learning and research opportunities are crucial to enhancing a student’s academic experience in order to meet the needs of NASA and the nation. OSGC programs are directed towards students in STEM fields and designed to complement a student’s academic career experience.

The Oregon Space Grant STudent Academic Research Review (STARR) award program is directed towards STEM and STEM Education students attending our member community colleges and four-year universities who are interested in space science/aerospace-related careers. The STARR Program provides students an opportunity to apply for an award to enhance and supplement their study in STEM and STEM education.

STARR awards are open to students in a broad range of STEM disciplines, including aerospace-related engineering and mathematics, as well as science and math education, earth sciences, chemistry, biology, food science, and computer science relating to NASA’s vision and mission. Students are encouraged to contact OSGC with questions about field of study eligibility.

Program Description

STARR is a literature review program A literature review does not involve new, original hands-on research or data collection but is a key component of the research process. It is a deep dive into a research topic and includes an overview, a summary, and an evaluation or critique of the current knowledge that already exists about a specific area of research. A literature review identifies gaps in research and can provide new interpretations of old material, including a discussion of methodological issues and suggestions for future research.

STARR is a steppingstone opportunity designed to help students gain a more comprehensive understanding of the research process and be better prepared for future hands-on research opportunities such as NASA internships, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs), or senior capstone projects. Applicants select a topic to review that involves current NASA-relevant research. Selected topics must substantively align with one or more of NASA Mission Directorate’s top priorities and speak to the real-world challenges facing the execution of current missions. Topics should be specific and narrow in scope.

If awarded, STARR recipients thoroughly review the existing literature and research pertaining to a selected research topic and write a review paper evaluating/critiquing the current knowledge and knowledge gaps that exist on the selected topic. The paper must include insight into the contributions of the research being conducted and demonstrate interdisciplinary applications of the research and how it might potentially extend to other areas of science or engineering relating to NASA’s priorities and areas of emphasis. Students will not be conducting research and will not be proposing research, testing, or data analysis of any kind.

STARR recipients must identify a faculty member at their respective institution who has expertise relevant to the research being reviewed and who agrees to serve as faculty advisor on the project. The advisor must be willing to mentor the student, review/edit the student’s work, and provide guidance throughout the process; however, papers must ultimately be the original work of the student.

OSGC seeks to recruit applicants from a variety of higher-education member institutions and disciplines.

See the 2025-26 STARR Program Guide for complete program information.

For More Information

Direct questions to Monty Johnson, OSGC Program Manager, via email at [email protected].