Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Artemis Research Program

The Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Artemis Research opportunity, administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of STEM Engagement, is a federal funding initiative designed to strengthen the research capabilities of Minority Serving Institutions and expand their participation in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. This program aligns with national priorities to advance space exploration, including missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, while also building a robust and diverse STEM workforce. By investing in institutional capacity and innovation, the program supports both technological advancement and workforce development critical to maintaining U.S. leadership in aerospace. The primary purpose of the program is to enhance the scientific, engineering, and technological research capacity of eligible institutions so they can contribute meaningfully to NASA’s mission objectives. The initiative focuses on advancing research aligned with key technology areas such as space transportation, planetary landing systems, surface infrastructure, in-space systems, and foundational capabilities. It also emphasizes increasing institutional competitiveness for future federal and commercial funding opportunities, fostering collaborations with NASA centers and partners, and providing students and faculty with hands-on research and internship experiences. Funding under this opportunity is provided through cooperative agreements, with a total program allocation of 12000000 dollars distributed across approximately twelve awards. Each award is expected to provide up to 1000000 dollars over a two-year period of performance. Funds may be used for research activities, faculty and student engagement, curriculum development, equipment, travel, and program administration. However, there are clear restrictions on spending, including limitations on subcontracting percentages, prohibition of foreign travel costs, and requirements to allocate minimum percentages toward student support and internships. Cost sharing is not required and does not influence evaluation. Eligibility is limited to institutions designated as Minority Serving Institutions by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of submission. These institutions must serve as the lead applicant and may partner with other organizations possessing relevant expertise. Applicants must designate a principal investigator who meets specific faculty criteria and is responsible for overall project execution and reporting. Certain previously funded institutions under specific prior NASA programs are excluded from eligibility. Proposals involving collaboration with China or Chinese-owned entities are also ineligible. The application process requires submission through NASA’s NSPIRES system and includes a comprehensive proposal package. Required components include a management plan detailing research objectives, alignment with NASA priorities, workforce development strategies, evaluation plans, and timelines. Applicants must also submit a budget narrative, data management and sharing plans, and documentation of personnel and institutional capacity. Proposals are evaluated based on intrinsic merit, relevance to NASA’s mission, and the appropriateness of the proposed budget, with weighted scoring applied to each category. The timeline for this opportunity includes a release date in June, an optional pre-proposal webinar and office hours in July and August, and a final submission deadline in mid-August. Award notifications are anticipated in October, with project performance spanning two years. NASA provides technical assistance opportunities prior to submission and requires ongoing reporting, evaluation, and data sharing throughout the award period. The program is expected to recur annually, supporting continuous advancement of research capacity and workforce development in aerospace fields. For questions and support, applicants may contact NASA program officials via the provided program email or NSPIRES help desk. The program reflects a strategic effort to integrate research innovation with workforce development, ensuring that participating institutions and their students are positioned to contribute to future space exploration initiatives while strengthening the national STEM ecosystem.

Align proposal tightly with NASA STMD priorities and clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes workforce impact and research relevance; ensure strong evaluation metrics and realistic timeline; emphasize institutional capacity building and student engagement