NASA launches the Space Tech Catalyst Prize

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is launching an innovative strategy to boost awareness efforts, remove barriers, and attract diverse ideas for the research and development of groundbreaking space technologies across the United States. The NASA Space Tech Catalyst Prize aims to expand the network and engagement within NASA’s Early Innovation and Partnerships (ESIP) Portfolio. The prize aims to recognize individuals and organizations that engage underrepresented and diverse innovators in space technology, offering awards of $25,000 to multiple winners. Winners will be invited to an in-person event at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where they will learn about industry best practices for fostering diversity within the space technology community as well as the projects and partnership potential of NASA.

Innovation and technology today spoke with Denna Lambert, lead of NASA’s Inclusive Innovation Team. As a blind African American woman, Denna’s work focuses on advocating for those underrepresented in the space technology industry. Denna talks about her experience working with NASA, the purpose of the Space Tech Catalyst Prize, and how inclusiveness can power greater innovation for the future.

Innovation and technology today: Can you share your experience at NASA? How has NASA promoted diversity throughout your time there?

Denna Lambert: I went to the University of Arkansas and did their business program, which was awesome. I received a very good education and many opportunities, but one of the challenges I faced was that recruiters didn’t know how it would work to hire a blind person.

I have been blind since birth. I received rejection letter after rejection letter, even though I worked at the career center on a work-study basis. And it wasn’t so much to do with my interview skills. Rather, they were recruiters who were unaware of how a disabled person could succeed in a corporate environment. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to speak at Microsoft in 2003. NASA was there and asked me if I was ready to leave Arkansas. So I was hired as a contracts specialist at Goddard Space Flight Center in 2004.

The government, particularly NASA, has been very proactive in removing various barriers to employment and retention. NASA promotes diversity in a very holistic process of looking at certain structural elements and making our processes as transparent and intuitive as possible, but also in the relational aspect of ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and invited to engage in our competition. financing process. And then also creating a community with these innovators who may not be near a NASA center.

I&T today: Can you provide an overview of the NASA Space Tech Catalyst Prize?

Lambert: The Space Tech Catalyst Prize is part of an engagement strategy aimed at inviting existing innovators, whether they come from a small university that has just started its aerospace programs, degree programs, research departments or small businesses that are just tapping into the space technology ecosystem.

I suspect that for many communities, certain individuals and mentors are those shepherds who really nurture and develop this type of next generation of innovators. And that’s what the Space Tech Catalyst Prize is for. It is open to individuals and organizations from academia and industry who are addressing barriers that may exist within the research and innovator communities. Whether it’s some sort of structural barrier to providing capacity funding or whether it helps people feel like they can see themselves as space technologists.

Many people have a very narrow view of who can contribute to NASA’s mission, and we would like to broaden that view. The prize is therefore $25,000 per winner, with a maximum of 20 winners. Again, these winners can be individuals and organizations as long as they are US citizens or have US-based businesses. We hope that we will create an atmosphere where we will have fundraising opportunities throughout the year. We would like the winners to help spread the word about these opportunities and perhaps even serve as mentors in the future.

I&T today: There is no doubt that diversity is important in every sector. How can inclusion contribute to greater innovation in space technology? How have you observed this in your past experience?

Lambert: When I go to conferences or go home and mention that I work for NASA, they might say, “Whoa! Do you work for NASA? For one thing, they may not have met someone who works for NASA. But maybe I don’t fit the profile of those they say work for NASA. I mean, a lot of people have seen the movie Hidden characters and some of the challenges these women faced.

But for example, we have a program called NIAC, NASA’s Innovation and Advanced Concepts Group. They are considered the most open financing opportunity. This way, innovators can propose ideas to NIAC that could contribute to a future mission. But we don’t impose any parameters on whether they have to have certain credentials or certain degrees.

This fall, I had the chance to meet some of their colleagues at NIAC, including a filmmaker who had optical technology that he had developed himself and that we ultimately used during a mission flight. And it’s a great example of how you don’t necessarily need to have a degree in physics or engineering. You only need that passion to find solutions to technical challenges, and those solutions can come from adjacent fields like medicine, agriculture, and film.

I&T today: What message do you have for potential applicants or people interested in the NASA Space Tech Catalyst Prize?

Lambert: I would like candidates to see space technology or the space industry as a new opportunity and a kind of new frontier. We are at the dawn of a likely multi-billion dollar industry. We want to make sure everyone is involved and contributing to Earth and space challenges so that there is mutual benefit for the people of Earth and beyond.

I would argue that every aspect of life that we have here on Earth will need a solution as we venture beyond, whether it’s how we go, how we land in these other places, how we explore, and ultimately how we live. So there is a global solution, and I believe that people who think space is not for them may be the ideal people we are looking for.

The competition is open to teachers, mentors, individuals, universities, non-profits, businesses and organizations. Interested participants should register online by February 8, 2024 and finalize submissions by February 22, 2024, including a short video describing their engagement approaches, obstacles overcome, and the potential impact of NASA’s investment on their work.