Partnerships and Sustainability
NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project
Leverage strategic partnerships that drive capacity building at Minority Serving Institutions and within underrepresented and underserved communities.
MUREP INCLUDES
In support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) initiative, NASA is committed to broadening participation in STEM by establishing coalitions of organizations led by MSIs in the U.S. that can support broadening participation initiatives in engineering-related disciplines and fields.
NASA Contact
Brenda Collins, Activity Manager,
MUREP INCLUDES
NASA’s Ames Research Center
Hunsaker Rd 238, Moffett Field
CA 94035
Email: brenda.j.collins@nasa.gov
MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification
MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) awards provide resources to MSIs to further develop ideas, facilitate research and development, and engage stakeholders.
MPLAN connects MSIs with NASA Mission Directorates and promotes research collaboration. Funding up to $50,000 per award supports MSI teams to develop innovative ideas and action plans for commercialization.
NASA MPLAN consists of two phases:
Phase 1, MSIs submit proposals based on various topics provided by NASA MUREP and the Mission Directorates.
Phase 2, awarded MSIs are invited to meet with NASA researchers and MUREP representatives. The meetings will focus on fostering collaboration, enhancing technical skills, and providing insights into future NASA opportunities.
MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification 2025
NASA is soliciting research proposals that fall within the 2025 topic areas that represent a subset of pertinent mission areas for NASA. Submission deadline: June 9, 2025, 10:59 p.m. CT
Minority Serving Institution Exchange
The Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Exchange is a tool that supports your search for innovative academic collaborators by curating STEM offerings and capability statements of MSIs nationwide.
The MSI Exchange can inform partnerships for teaming opportunities and competitive federal awards such as contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants.
The user-friendly interface and mobile-responsive design makes the MSI Exchange the ideal search tool for:
- Researchers, scientists, engineers, and innovators seeking academic collaborators with capabilities that can be leveraged in mission work. Helps NASA researchers seeking partners for mission focused research through Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs), Space Act Agreements (SAAs), Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer.
- Prime and small business contractors seeking academic collaborators for mission work and Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) projects.
- Higher education faculty seeking research collaborators for competitive awards.
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship are vital to bolstering and maintaining a strong U.S. economy and a competitive workforce. To increase innovation, NASA leverages diversity to tap into underutilized resources. The awareness created by the MSI Exchange can facilitate collaboration that contributes to NASA’s mission while strengthening technical capacity at MSIs, and a competitive workforce for NASA and the Nation.
The MSI Exchange is maintained by the NASA MUREP. For more information, review our list of Frequently Asked Questions or email sharon.g.fitzgerald@nasa.gov.
MSI Exchange Data Sources
Additional Resources
Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) List is aligned to the U.S. Department of Education Eligibility Matrix and developed by the NASA Office of STEM Engagement MUREP. The list includes institutions that qualify for NASA MUREP funding and resources.
NASA Contact
Sharon Fitzgerald, Functional Lead
MSI Exchange
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop #033
Hampton, VA 23681
Email: NASA-MSIExchange@mail.nasa.gov
How to Find Funding Opportunities
Explore Engagement Opportunities in NASA STEM
The NASA Research Announcement titled “Engagement Opportunities in NASA STEM or EONS” solicits education and research opportunities in support of the NASA STEM projects. EONS is an omnibus announcement that includes a range of NASA STEM Engagement opportunities for basic and applied science and technology research and other opportunities.
NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System
Supporting research in science and technology is an important part of NASA's overall mission. NASA solicits this research through the release of various announcements in a wide range of disciplines. NASA uses a peer review process to evaluate and select proposals submitted in response to these announcements. Researchers can help NASA achieve national science and technology objectives by submitting proposals and conducting awarded projects.
