Washington, D.C. — NASA is awarding $7.2 million to six minority-serving institutions (MSIs) as part of its ongoing effort to foster greater diversity in engineering and other STEM fields. The funding will support initiatives that enhance educational opportunities for historically underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
“NASA is excited to award funding to six minority-serving institutions, paving the way for greater diversity in engineering and STEM,” said Shahra Lambert, NASA’s senior advisor for engagement and equity. “NASA is committed to fostering diversity and providing essential academic resources to empower the next generation of innovators.”
The grants are part of NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) and are being distributed in collaboration with the National Science Foundation’s INCLUDES network. These funds are designed to create new pathways into engineering fields and provide the necessary academic resources to help college students from underrepresented groups succeed in STEM disciplines.
“With these awards, we are continuing to create pathways that increase access and opportunities in STEM for underrepresented and underserved groups,” said Keya Briscoe, MUREP manager at NASA Headquarters. “NASA continues to invest in initiatives that drive innovation, foster inclusion, and expand access to the STEM ecosystem for everyone.”
The six institutions receiving awards are:
- Alabama A&M University: Pathways to NASA: Empowering Underrepresented STEM Talent through Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Learning
- Morgan State University – Baltimore: Developing NASA Pathways to Broadening Participation in Space Exploration Technology
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University: Strengthening Opportunities in Aerospace Research and Education
- University of Central Florida: Hy-POWERED: Hydrogen-POWered Engineering Research and Education for Diversity
- University of Colorado, Denver: Seed, Support, and Cultivate: Innovative Strategies for Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Education
- University of Houston: Partnership for Inclusivity in Engineering Education and Research for Space
These investments, administered by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, aim to enhance the research and academic capabilities of MSIs and support NASA’s vision of a more diverse and inclusive workforce.–News Desk