MUREP FAQs
All your MUREP Questions, answered here.
Understanding MUREP
What is MUREP?
What are the Presidential Executive Orders that influence MUREP?
What is a minority-serving institution?
What does underserved or underrepresented mean in relation to MUREP?
Student Questions
What types of programs does MUREP have for students?
May I participate in MUREP at any NASA center?
How do I contact someone about MUREP near where I live or go to school?
May I participate in MUREP projects if I do not attend a minority institution?
Faculty Questions
What types of programs does MUREP have for faculty?
May I participate in MUREP at any NASA center?
How do I initiate contact with NASA scientists or engineers to partner with a NASA center on education initiatives?
What type of funding is available to universities through MUREP?
What type of research is being conducted by institutions that participate with MUREP?
Getting Involved With MUREP
What type of funding is available to universities through MUREP?
How can my university work more closely with NASA?
Additional Resources
How may I become a reviewer for NASA proposals?
How may I find out about NASA jobs?
I am an international student or faculty member. What types of MUREP opportunities are available for foreign nationals?
How do I find out about NASA research opportunities?
Understanding MUREP
What is MUREP?
NASA Minority University Research and Education Programs are administered through NASA’s Office of Education. MUREP enhances the capabilities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs; Hispanic Serving Institutions, or HSIs; Tribal Colleges and Universities, or TCUs; and Other Minority Universities, or OMUs, to contribute to the research needs of science and technology enterprises. The MUREP staff at NASA are responsible for developing agency-wide policies, procedures and guidelines that enhance the involvement of all minority-serving education institutions in the mission of the agency.
Projects supported by MUREP ensure access to NASA careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines and are designed to address the national challenges of attracting and retaining underrepresented, underserved, and minority students and faculty in STEM courses of study. The MUREP suite of projects provides opportunities for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with NASA-related research and mission-specific technology development. MUREP also offers opportunities for these institutions to collaborate with teacher preparation programs that improve the quality and diversity of STEM teachers.
What are the Presidential Executive Orders that influence MUREP?
NASA is committed to fulfilling and implementing the following four federal mandates regarding promoting equal opportunity for participation in federally sponsored programs:
- EO 13985 – Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through Federal Government (Underserved / Underrepresented) January 20, 2021
- EO 14031 – Advancing Equity, Justice and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA & NHPI) May 28, 2021
- EO 14041 – White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) September 3, 2021
- EO 14045 – White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics (HSI) September 13, 2021
- EO 14049 – White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) October 11, 2021
- EO 14050 – White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans (HBCU / PBI) October 19, 2021
What is a minority-serving institution?
Institutions of higher education enrolling populations with significant percentages of undergraduate minority students, or that serve certain populations of minority students under various programs created by Congress, are known as minority-serving institutions.
Under part F of the HEA, 20 U.S. Code § 1067q – “Investment in historically Black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions,” the following institutions are eligible to receive funds under that section.
- Historically Black College or University
- Hispanic-serving Institution
- Tribal College or University
- Alaska Native-serving Institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving Institution
- Predominantly Black Institution
- Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution
- Native American-serving Nontribal Institution
For additional information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website.
What does underserved or underrepresented mean in relation to MUREP?
The terms “underserved” and “underrepresented” are often interchanged, particularly as they relate to the sciences and engineering disciplines. Specifically, these terms provide access and opportunity to persons of diverse racial, ethnic, gender, religious, age, sexual orientation, disabled, etc., populations with limited access to decent and affordable housing, gainful employment and other services. In the STEM arena, “underserved” typically has referred to women and persons with disabilities.
The term “underrepresented in science and engineering” means a minority group whose number of scientists and engineers per 10,000 population of that group is substantially below the comparable figure for scientists and engineers who are white (not of Hispanic origin).
The term “minority” means American Indian, Alaskan Native, black (not of Hispanic origin), Hispanic (including persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central or South American origin), Pacific Islander or other ethnic groups who are underrepresented in science and engineering.
The broader term “underrepresented” as opposed to “underrepresented minority” in the STEM arena refers to not only race and ethnicity, but the population at large. This term may encompass black or African Americans; American Indians or Alaska Natives; Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders; and Hispanics or Latinos.
Source: Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008. This law reauthorizes and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 34 Part 637.
Student Questions
What type of programs does MUREP have for students?
MUREP-funded activities are specifically designed to serve undergraduate students and graduate students. Entities such as minority-serving institutions and other awardee organizations also serve other groups, which may include primary and secondary students, educators, and other groups of individuals. Programs may include student support, research training, education, and outreach programming. While some MUREP activities are coordinated by an assigned NASA center, some are managed by awardee institutions and other entities who receive funding that is awarded via a solicitation process. Please contact the specific MUREP activity managers to obtain further information on student programs.
Please visit the website below to learn about careers at NASA:
https://www.nasa.gov/careers/
Students may apply for specific NASA student opportunities using the web links provided below:
- Pathways Programs at NASA
- Presidential Management Fellows Program, or PMF
- NASA Internship, Fellowship, Postdoc, and Employments Opportunities at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
May I participate in MUREP at any NASA center?
Yes. MUREP activities are managed at the various NASA centers and implemented nationwide. Please contact the specific MUREP activity managers to obtain information on how you can participate in a MUREP activity at a NASA center.
How do I contact someone about MUREP near where I live or go to school?
Please contact the specific MUREP activity managers to obtain information on the closest MUREP activities and awardees within close proximity to your location.
But please note that many activities resulting from MUREP awards are located nationwide. Therefore, do not emphasize contacting those NASA centers that are closest to your location. Instead, it is best to identify the MUREP activities you have an interest in, and contact the activity manager to determine which specific awardees and programs are located close to your location.
Can I participate in MUREP activities if I do not attend a minority institution?
Yes. Some opportunities do not require students to be enrolled in a minority-serving institution. However, specific eligibility requirements may be in place. Please contact the MUREP activity managers to determine which programs you may be eligible for and how you can apply.
Faculty Questions
What type of programs does MUREP have for faculty?
Faculty members may identify suitable programs to engage in research, curriculum planning and faculty development that are classified under the following initiatives:
Institutional Engagement
Increases STEM capabilities at formal and informal educational institutions and organizations by incorporating content based on NASA’s missions.
- Earth Systems, Technology and Energy Education for MUREP
- MUREP Community College Curriculum Improvement
- NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars
- MUREP Other Opportunities
- MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity
STEM Engagement
Provides opportunities for participatory and experiential learning activities in formal and informal education settings to connect learners to NASA-unique resources.
- MUREP American Indian and Alaskan Native STEM Engagement
- MUREP Aerospace Academy
- MUREP Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Engagement
Educator Professional Development
Uses NASA’s missions, education resources and unique facilities to provide high-quality STEM content and hands-on learning experiences to K-12, informal and pre-service educators.
- MUREP Educator Institutes
- Earth Systems, Technology and Energy Education for MUREP
Please contact the activity managers to identify a point of contact at a MUREP awardee institution and other entities, as well as opportunities at the NASA centers.
Can I participate in MUREP at any NASA center?
Yes. MUREP activities are managed at the various NASA centers and implemented nationwide. Please contact the specific MUREP activity managers to obtain information on how you can participate in a MUREP activity at a NASA center.
How do I initiate contact with NASA scientists or engineers to partner with a NASA center on education initiatives?
Contact a MUREP representative to facilitate your communication with a particular NASA center. See the map for MUREP contacts closest to you.
What type of funding is available to universities through MUREP?
Various NASA funding opportunities are available to consider and pursue. The funding vehicle for these opportunities are typically cooperative agreements, contracts and grants. Interested parties may identify previous, current and upcoming opportunities by visiting the following websites.
- Review upcoming opportunities at the Federal Business Opportunities website.
- Review grant program solicitation announcements at http://www.grants.gov/.
- NASA Research Announcements are announced on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, or NSPIRES website. Individuals also may register as an NSPIRES member and sign up to receive email notifications on new announcements.
- Visit the MUREP website regularly to review upcoming opportunities.
What type of research is being conducted by institutions that participate with MUREP?
Please visit each MUREP activity website to review awardee institutions and research abstracts. MUREP selection announcements also may be reviewed at the following website: News Releases – NASA
MUREP awardee institutions and proposal abstracts also may be found within the selection statements found on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, or NSPIRES, within each MUREP activity under the Education Opportunities in NASA STEM Solicitation Archives. Click on the following web link to access NSPIRES.
In addition, please contact the MUREP activity manager to obtain contact information for the principal investigator or point of contact at a MUREP Awardee institution so that you may contact them directly to inquire about the research at their institution.
Getting Involved With MUREP
What type of funding is available to universities through MUREP?
Various NASA funding opportunities are available to consider and pursue. The funding vehicles for these opportunities are typically cooperative agreements, contracts and grants. Interested parties may identify previous, current and upcoming opportunities by visiting the following websites.
- Review upcoming opportunities at the Federal Business Opportunities website.
- Review grant program solicitation announcements at http://www.grants.gov/ .
- NASA Research Announcements are announced on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, or NSPIRES website. Individuals may also register as an NSPIRES member and sign up to receive email notifications on new announcements.
- Visit the MUREP website regularly to review upcoming opportunities.
How can my university work more closely with NASA?
Your institution can work more closely with NASA in a variety of ways. You may express your interest in partnership and funding opportunities to a MUREP representative at any of the NASA centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Individuals may sign up for NASA Express to begin receiving announcements on NASA funding opportunities, education program activities, and events.
Small business opportunities and programs for minority-serving institutions are available via the NASA Office of Small Business Programs.
Additional Resources
How can I become a reviewer for NASA proposals?
Register through NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, or NSPIRES, and sign up to become a reviewer for NASA proposals.
How can I find out about NASA jobs?
The official website to apply for employment with federal agencies is at https://www.usajobs.gov/ . NASA fully uses the USAJOBS website in posting and filling NASA federal employment vacancies.
NASA contractor positions are also available with a variety of organizations and businesses. Please contact the human resources department of a specific NASA contractor to apply for opportunities to work for NASA.
Additional contractor opportunities may be found at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
I am an international student or faculty member. What type of MUREP opportunities are available for foreign nationals?
Faculty and students who are foreign nationals may be eligible to participate in MUREP programs through an affiliation with a MUREP awardee institution or other entity. Please contact the principal investigator or point of contact at a specific MUREP awardee institution or entity to learn more about the research and education programs at their location and how you can be involved.
Opportunities for foreign nationals may be available with a variety of NASA contractor organizations and businesses. Please contact the student programs or partnership development office of a specific NASA contractor to obtain additional information on what is available and how to apply.
Opportunities for international students also can be found at the following website: https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/nasa-intern-and-fellow-opportunities-for-international-students/
How do I find out about NASA research opportunities?
Interested parties may learn of research opportunities with NASA in several ways. Please visit the following websites to obtain information on previous, current and upcoming research opportunities.
- Review upcoming opportunities at the Federal Business Opportunities website.
- Review grant program solicitation announcements at http://www.grants.gov/ .
- NASA Research Announcements are announced on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System website. Individuals may also register as an NSPIRES member and sign up to receive email notifications on new announcements.
- Visit the MUREP website regularly to review upcoming opportunities.
