19 Colleges And Universities Win Grants Totalling $16.8 Million

NASA has awarded $16.8 million to colleges and universities nationwide to conduct research and technology development in areas of importance to the agency's mission. In addition to the research and technology development, the awards enable faculty development and higher education student support.

The selections are part of NASA's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR. The program is designed to assist states in establishing an academic research enterprise directed toward a long-term, self-sustaining and competitive capability that will contribute to the states' economic viability and development. EPSCoR assists in developing partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions and industry.

A total of 24 proposals were selected for funding in Puerto Rico and the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming. Winning proposals were selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition.

Two proposals were selected from each of the following colleges, universities and organizations:

• College of Charleston
• University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• University of Idaho
• Vanderbilt University
• West Virginia University Research Corporation

One proposal was selected from each of the following universities and organizations:

• Brown University
• Louisiana Board of Regents
• Maine Space Grant Consortium
• Montana State University System
• Nevada System of Higher Education
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
• University of Alabama in Huntsville
• University of Hawaii Systems
• University of Kentucky
• University of Mississippi
• University of Northern Iowa
• University of Puerto Rico
• University of Wyoming
• University System of New Hampshire

FMI: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/