University of Pittsburgh wins $100,000 grant for new space engineering research program

Pitt ORBIT will fund summer research for undergraduates across STEM majors, with applications opening December 1 and no previous research experience required

Pitt ORBIT will give University of Pittsburgh undergraduates opportunities to undertake summer research in space engineering

The University of Pittsburgh is launching a new undergraduate space engineering research program backed by a $100,000 grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation.

Pitt ORBIT, short for Opportunity, Research, Building, Innovation, and Training, will give University of Pittsburgh undergraduates funding to pursue summer research projects in space engineering, alongside technical training, career exposure and opportunities to connect with industry professionals.

The program is being run through Pitt Space in collaboration with STEMNetX, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit focused on experiential STEM learning. Part of the grant will also support a new Space Academy for high school students.

Students from any STEM major can apply to Pitt ORBIT, and previous research experience is not required. Applicants must have an interest in careers in space or related fields.

The undergraduate program builds on a fellowship piloted through Pitt Space and STEMNetX last year.

Rama Bala, Pitt Space faculty member and President and CEO of STEMNetX, says: “Last year, through our collaboration with Pitt Space, we piloted a fellowship program that provided undergraduate STEM students with opportunities to engage in hands-on space engineering research.

“I’m excited to build on that foundation by giving more undergraduates the opportunity to conduct meaningful research, develop technical skills, and prepare for careers in space engineering.”

Participants will work on summer research projects before presenting their work at a Capstone Symposium, with the program also intended to develop professional communication skills alongside technical experience.

High school Space Academy added to program

The Howmet Aerospace Foundation funding will also be used to pilot a Space Academy bringing a cohort of high school students to the university.

Students will explore space research, robotics and related technologies through hands-on activities designed to connect school learning with university research and potential careers.

The foundation, the charitable arm of Pittsburgh-based Howmet Aerospace, supports STEM and technical education, with a focus on underserved populations.

Alan George, R&H Mickle Endowed Chair, NSF SHREC Space Center Director, and Department Chair and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, says the program is intended to introduce more students to opportunities within the sector.

“With the tremendous growth in space-related industries, there is an urgent need for the next generation of space engineers,” George comments.

“Pitt ORBIT seeks to attract and engage our students in this exciting field and help them identify possible careers. I look forward to seeing our students in action this summer, working with our faculty to solve important problems.”

Pitt Space brings together research and education across space engineering, biomedicine and science. Its engineering work covers areas including spacecraft sensing, processing, storage and communications, reliability and performance, and AI integration.

Applications for the Summer 2027 Pitt ORBIT program open on December 1, 2026.