![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/mplan-awardee.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>NASA has selected 23 minority-serving institutions to receive $1.2 million to grow their research and technology capabilities, collaborate on research projects, and contribute to the agency\u2019s missions for the benefit of humanity.<\/p>\n
Through NASA\u2019s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) award, selected institutions will receive up to $50,000 each for a six-month period to work directly on STEM projects with subject matter experts in NASA\u2019s mission directorates.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs NASA looks to inspire the next generation, the Artemis Generation, we are intentional in increasing access\u00a0for all,\u201d said Shahra Lambert, NASA senior advisor for engagement and equity. \u201cIt\u2019s a daring task to return to the Moon then venture to Mars, but NASA is known to make the impossible possible. By funding partnerships such as MPLAN, and tapping into all pools of STEM resources, including MSIs, we are ensuring the future of our missions are in good hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
The awards will contribute to research opportunities in preparation for larger funding programs such as NASA\u2019s annual Small Business Innovation Research\/Small Business Technology Transfer solicitation, the Space Technology Research Grant Program within the agency\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate, the University Leadership Initiative within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, and the Human Research Program<\/a> within NASA\u2019s Space Operations Mission Directorate.<\/p>\n \u201cThese awards will help unlock the full potential of students traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research and careers,\u201d said Torry Johnson, deputy associate administrator of STEM Engagement Projects at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cThrough this award, universities receive support, resources, and guidance directly from NASA experts, which can be a game changer for the work they do to develop technological innovations that contribute to NASA missions and benefit all of humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n The awardees are as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n Drones for Contact-inclusive Planetary Exploration<\/p>\n Bioinspired Surface Design for Thermal Extremes<\/p>\n Human-Centric Digital Twins in NASA Space Missions<\/p>\n Repurposing Lander Parts into Geodesic Assemblies<\/p>\n Crafting Biofuels via Molecular Insights<\/p>\n Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate for Seed Growth: Microgreens in Space<\/p>\n Freshmen Access to CubeSat Education<\/p>\n New Tech for Storm Tracking with Machine Learning<\/p>\n Sustained Approach for Energetic Lunar Operation<\/p>\n Information-Theoretic Multi-Robot Exploration<\/p>\n Robot Leg Design for Lunar Exploration<\/p>\n Extreme Aerodynamics Over Small Air Vehicles<\/p>\n Enhanced Aero-Composites: Reinforcement Innovation<\/p>\n Early Non-invasive Diagnosis of Heart Diseases<\/p>\n Designing Resilient Battery System for Space<\/p>\n X-Ray 3D Printing of Nanocomposites for AME<\/p>\n Plant Antimicrobial in Space Exploration using AI<\/p>\n Non-contact Optical Sensor for Biomedicine<\/p>\n Soft Tendril-inspired Robot for Space Exploration<\/p>\n Hydrodynamic Stability of Jets via Neural Networks<\/p>\n Low-SWaP Water Electrolyzer for Lunar\/Martian In-Situ Resource Utilization<\/p>\n Tuneable NanoEnergetic Microthruster Cartridges<\/p>\n Flexible Modular Robots for Extreme Access<\/p>\n Ultrasound methods for monitoring carcinogenesis<\/p>\n All-climate and Ultrafast Aluminum Ion Batteries<\/p>\n The awarded institutions and their partners are invited to meet with NASA researchers and MUREP representatives throughout the remainder of 2024. The meetings serve as training sessions to pursue future NASA opportunities. These trainings focus primarily on fostering collaboration, enhancing technical skills, and providing insights into NASA\u2019s research priorities to better prepare participants for future opportunities.<\/p>\n To learn more about MPLAN, visit:<\/p>\n https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/49gsZ9X<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Gerelle Dodson\n
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Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
gerelle.q.dodson@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n