NASA has awarded $6 million in seed funding to 20 teams from emerging research institutions across the United States, supporting projects that provide valuable career development opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This funding, part of NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success (MOSAICS) program, marks the third round of awards aimed at expanding access to NASA research and workforce opportunities.
The MOSAICS program, formerly known as the Science Mission Directorate Bridge Program, seeks to bridge the gap between academic institutions and NASA’s cutting-edge research in science and engineering. By fostering collaboration between NASA researchers and faculty at a diverse range of institutions, the program aims to equip the next generation of STEM professionals with the skills and experiences needed to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in science and space exploration.
“The STEM workforce continues to grow, and today’s students, studying at a variety of higher-education institutions — community colleges, primarily undergraduate institutions, and minority-serving institutions — are the STEM workforce of tomorrow,” said Padi Boyd, director of MOSAICS at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Exposing today’s students to the incredibly inspiring and cutting-edge discoveries made through NASA’s space science people and resources ensures that these students get the training they need to persist in STEM careers, while fostering enduring collaborations between NASA researchers and faculty at a wide range of institutions.”
The 20 funded projects represent a wide array of research initiatives, from advancing deep learning applications to studying planetary sciences and developing novel technologies for space exploration. These projects not only enhance the research capabilities of the participating institutions but also provide mentorship and hands-on training for students, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
Key projects from the third cohort include:
- “Bridging Fundamental Ice Chemistry Studies and Ocean World Explorations”
- Principal Investigator: Chris Arumainayagam, Wellesley College, Massachusetts
- NASA Center: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Southern California
- “Development of Biomechanics Simulation Tool for Muscle Mechanics in Reduced Gravity to Enhance Astronaut Mission Readiness”
- Principal Investigator: Ji Chen, University of the District of Columbia
- NASA Center: Johnson Space Center, Houston
- “Development of a Non-Invasive Sweat Biosensor for Traumatic Brain Injury Compatible With In-Space Manufacturing to Monitor the Health of Astronauts”
- Principal Investigator: Lisandro Cunci, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Pedras
- NASA Center: Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley, California
- “CSUN-JPL Collaboration to Study Ocean Fronts Using Big Data and Open Science Structures in Coastal North America”
- Principal Investigator: Mario Giraldo, California State University, Northridge
- NASA Center: JPL
- “Aerocapture Analysis and Development for Uranus and Neptune Planetary Missions”
- Principal Investigator: Ping Lu, San Diego State University
- NASA Center: Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
These projects, along with others funded through MOSAICS, reflect NASA’s commitment to diversifying and strengthening the future STEM workforce. The selected institutions span 21 U.S. states and territories, including Washington and Puerto Rico, and collaborate with seven NASA centers.
Since the program’s inception, 44 teams from 36 academic institutions have received funding, enabling them to build robust research partnerships with NASA. The new round of funding is expected to further enhance the capacity of these institutions to contribute to NASA’s mission and to prepare their students for careers in STEM fields.
A new opportunity for institutions to apply for MOSAICS seed funding is currently open, with a deadline of March 28, 2025. This ongoing initiative is part of NASA’s broader effort to ensure that a diverse and well-prepared workforce is ready to lead the agency’s future missions and scientific endeavors.–News Desk