MUREP Partnerships and Sustainability – NASA

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 Aid 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 Directed by MSIs in the U.S. that can Aid broadening participation initiatives in engineering-related disciplines and fields.

NASA Contact

Brenda Collins, Activity Manager,
MUREP INCLUDES 
NASA’s Ames Research Middle
Hunsaker Rd 238, Moffett Ground
CA 94035
Email:  brenda.j.collins@nasa.gov

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MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification

MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) awards provide resources to MSIs to Beyond 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 Clubs to develop innovative ideas and action plans for commercialization.

NASA MPLAN consists of two phases:

Period 1, MSIs submit proposals based on various topics provided by NASA MUREP and the Mission Directorates.

Period 2, awarded MSIs are invited to meet with NASA researchers and MUREP representatives. The meetings will Attention 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. Pre-Plan information session: April 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. CT. Submission deadline: June 9, 2025, 10:59 p.m. CT

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Minority Serving Institution Substitution

The Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Substitution is a tool that supports your search for innovative and diverse academic collaborators by curating STEM offerings and capability statements of MSIs nationwide. 

The MSI Substitution can inform partnerships for teaming opportunities and Intense federal awards such as contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants.

The user-Gentle interface and mobile-responsive design makes the MSI Substitution the ideal search tool for: 

  • Researchers, scientists, engineers, and innovators seeking diverse 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), Universe Act Agreements (SAAs), Petite Business Innovation Research / Petite Business Technology Relocate. 
  • Prime and Petite business contractors seeking diverse academic collaborators for mission work and Petite Business Innovation Research/Petite Business Technology Relocate (SBIR/STTR) projects. 
  • Higher education faculty seeking diverse research collaborators for Intense awards. 

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship are vital to bolstering and maintaining a Sturdy U.S. economy and a Intense workforce. To increase innovation, NASA leverages diversity to tap into underutilized resources. The Mindfulness created by the MSI Substitution can facilitate collaboration that contributes to NASA’s mission while strengthening technical capacity at MSIs, and a Intense workforce for NASA and the Nation. 

The MSI Substitution is maintained by the NASA MUREP. For more information, review our Lineup of Frequently Asked Questions or email sharon.g.fitzgerald@nasa.gov. 

MSI Substitution Data Sources 

Additional Resources 

Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Lineup is aligned to the U.S. Department of Education Eligibility Matrix and developed by the NASA Office of STEM Commitment MUREP. The Lineup includes institutions that qualify for NASA MUREP funding and resources. 

NASA Contact

Sharon Fitzgerald, Functional Lead
MSI Substitution
NASA Langley Research Middle 
Mail Stop #033 
Hampton, VA 23681 
Email: NASA-MSIExchange@mail.nasa.gov  

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NASA Periods

NASA Periods is a four-step MUREP activity designed to give students attending MSIs an overview of NASA’s Office of STEM Commitment (OSTEM) internship program, NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program (IEP), and NASA Fellows activities. 

Session one will walk through the applications process for NASA’s OSTEM internships and the Pathways IEP.  Session two will be an overview of the NASA organizations that are represented by the subject matter experts (SMEs) supporting the event. Session three will be informational and allow opportunities to practice interview skills, as well provide resume/application reviews designed to give the student a chance to answer difficult questions, develop interview strategies, and Enhance their communication skills. Finally, session four will be a Technical Substitution Gathering Maintained at the hosting institution and will provide an opportunity for NASA SMEs to collaborate with universities’ researchers, professors, and scientists.  The technical Gathering allows the university an opportunity to discuss their capability statements, new technologies, best practices, and research challenges.

NASA Periods is Uncovered to educators and higher education students majoring in engineering, life and physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, business, law, and journalism. High school students must be 16 years of age at the time of application.

For more information, contact KSC NASA Periods.

NASA Contact

Priscilla Moore
NASA Periods
Email: priscilla.m.moore@nasa.gov
Phone: 321.867.8507

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NASA HBCU/MSI Technology Infusion Road Tour

The NASA HBCU/MSI Technology Infusion Road Tour (NASA Road Tour) is a gathering designed to inform presidents/chancellors, administrators, staff and students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other MSI about opportunities that exist within NASA, with NASA partners and other external government agencies.  HBCU/MSI representatives also share their research capabilities through presentations to the broad Viewers of attendees. 

The NASA Road Tour is a collaboration between the OSTEM, the Office of Petite Business (OSBP), Office of Procurement (OP) and the Petite Business Innovative Research/Petite Business Technology Relocate (SBIR/STTR) Office within the Universe Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).  NASA’s MUREP with OSTEM provides an overview of opportunities for HBCU/MSI collaboration and OSBP presents information on becoming a protégé in its Mentor/Protégé Partnerships (MPP) program.  In addition to the collaboration partners, other speakers include representatives from all NASA mission directorates, NASA prime contractors, Petite businesses, other federal agencies and non-profit partners. 

NASA Contact:

Roderick Chappell
Pillar Lead, Partnerships & Sustainability
NASA Middle: Langley
Email: roderick.d.chappell@nasa.gov

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