NASA STEM Exchange can inform partnerships for teaming opportunities and competitive federal awards such as contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants. Use the tool to identify mission-relevant capabilities at Eligible Institutions of Higher Education (EIHE) nationwide. 

The NASA STEM  Exchange was developed for:

• NASA and other federal researchers seeking academic collaborators to achieve the Mission, and to develop talent pipelines through R&D, SBIR/STTR projects, training initiatives, and competitive federal awards.
• Industry stakeholders seeking academic collaborators to build workforce capacity and address critical skills gaps through recruitment, SBIR/STTR projects, and other competitive federal awards.
• Research faculty seeking collaborators to integrate student training and career pathway programs into competitive federal awards that advance both research outcomes and workforce readiness.

The Eligible Institutions of Higher Education (EIHE) List is maintained by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement through the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP). The EIHE List serves as eligibility criteria for MUREP-funded opportunities and forms the foundation of the NASA STEM Exchange.

The EIHE List aligns to U.S. Department of Education’s two-year-delayed schedule and eligibility thresholds for the following categories:

• Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP)
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
• Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Eligible Institutions of Higher Education (EIHE) List Methodology

NASA aligns with the U.S. Department of Education Eligibility Matrix to create the EIHE List. Visit U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the ED Technical Assistance Webinar Slides  for more information.

Download the List

Download the 2026-2027 EIHE List, or refine the list with the filters above the table and select the download icon to save a customized version.

Capability Statements

A capability statement is a brief, one-page (front and back) document outlining an institution’s research, facilities, equipment, and other technical strengths. Federal agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions use these statements within the NASA STEM Exchange to identify Eligible Institutions of Higher Education (EIHE) for partnerships and to pursue federal opportunities such as grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.

MUREP provides training and resources to help EIHEs prepare and submit their capability statements to the NASA STEM Exchange.

Capability Statement Template

For additional information, please contact the NASA STEM Exchange at
nasastemexchange@mail.nasa.gov.

Q: What defines an Eligible Institution of Higher Education (EIHE)?
A: An Eligible Institution of Higher Education includes those that fall under the following categories:

• Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP)
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
• Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)

For details, please refer to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the ED Technical Assistance Webinar Slides.

Q: Why is the NASA STEM Exchange for EIHEs only?
A: The NASA STEM Exchange is a tool in the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) ecosystem. Visit the MUREP website to learn more.

Q: Is it possible to download the list of EIHEs through the NASA STEM Exchange?
A: Yes, the 2026-2027 EIHE List is available for download, or refine the list with the filters above the table and select the download icon to save a customized version.

Q: What should I do if my academic institution is not listed in the NASA STEM Exchange or on the EIHE List?
A: Please refer to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the ED Technical Assistance Webinar Slides. If there are further questions, email nasastemexchange@mail.nasa.gov.

Q: How can I submit a capability statement to be included in the NASA STEM Exchange?
A: Email the Eligible Institution of Higher Education capability statement to nasastemexchange@mail.nasa.gov.

Q: Where does the NASA STEM Exchange data come from?
A: The NASA STEM Exchange data aligns to the U.S. Department of Education Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

For general questions, please contact the NASA STEM Exchange at
nasastemexchange@mail.nasa.gov.”