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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently distributed a total of $3.7 million across 11 distinct teams. This funding is part of a fresh initiative by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) aimed at expanding collaboration with U.S. educational institutions that traditionally have not had significant involvement with NASA’s research activities. This move is a strategic step to bolster diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the realms of science and engineering, as well as within the workforce of NASA itself.
“By fostering new partnerships with lesser-resourced institutions via programs like the bridge program, we proactively broaden NASA’s reach to include a wider array of America’s most talented individuals,” remarked Shahra Lambert, a senior NASA advisor for engagement. “These cooperative efforts will not only enrich NASA’s workforce but also deepen our insights into the universe.”
The SMD Bridge Program is designed to disperse initial funding to research endeavors that set the groundwork for enduring partnerships with NASA. The initiative supports experiential learning and mentoring for students while offering fresh research possibilities to faculty. This is instrumental in aiding students from the fields of science and engineering to progress into graduate studies, secure employment at NASA, or pursue STEM careers.
Faculty at various institutions, many of which represent new partnerships for NASA, lead these teams. These institutions include those serving Hispanic populations, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander communities, and primarily undergraduate bodies. The varied research projects connect these institutions with seven NASA centers and are likely to benefit upwards of 100 students.
“We celebrate this pioneering group of grant awardees for their inventive research initiatives. These efforts craft vital links among students, faculty members, and NASA,” stated Michael New, Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at NASA Headquarters within the Science Mission Directorate. “These awards mark a crucial first step for the SMD Bridge Program in nurturing sustained partnerships to foster a diverse and highly capable STEM workforce.”
An additional window is now open for submitting applications for further SMD Bridge Program funding. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 29.
The inaugural recipients of the seed grants are working on the following projects:
- Using insights from planetary science to tackle environmental pollution issues through a partnership between California State University, Los Angeles, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
- FireSage, a cutting-edge venture between San Jose State University and NASA Ames Research Center, blends computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning research with wildfire science.
- A collaboration between Hampton University and NASA’s Langley Research Center focusing on advancing planetary boundary layer studies with Lidar remote sensing technology.
- Delaware State University and NASA Goddard’s joint effort to develop environmentally durable anti-reflection coatings for guidance, navigation, and control Lidar systems.
- Tuskegee University’s partnership with the Laboratory for Atmospheric Science and Physics at the University of Colorado, and NASA Ames, using CubeSats to teach faculty and students about science mission design and execution.
- Research by the University of Houston-Clear Lake in collaboration with NASA’s Johnson Space Center on developing protective nanocomposites and microbial libraries to support spacecraft durability.
- Investigation into the stress tolerance of Halobacterium by California State University, Northridge, and NASA JPL to understand extraterrestrial life potential.
- Delaware State University and NASA Goddard teaming up to create lunar rover payload instruments for detecting water isotopes and trace gases.
- Southern Nazarene University’s research with NASA JPL to enhance the prediction of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks using remote sensing.
- Colorado Mesa University’s work with NASA’s Glenn Research Center on complex fluid and soft matter studies, with an emphasis on heat transfer and multiphase flows.
- Florida A&M University’s collaborative endeavor with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Goddard focusing on additive manufacturing techniques for sensor development.
The SMD Bridge Program can be further explored here:
https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/smd-bridge-program/
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Alise Fisher
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2546a
alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov
FAQ Section
- What is the purpose of NASA’s SMD Bridge Program?
The SMD Bridge Program seeks to offer seed funding to foster new collaborations and build long-lasting relationships with educational institutions that haven’t historically been part of NASA’s research efforts, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the scientific community. - How many teams received grants in this inaugural funding round?
Eleven teams were awarded a total of $3.7 million in this first round of funding. - What kinds of institutions are represented by the award recipients?
Grant recipients are from institutions including Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and primarily undergraduate institutions. - How can institutions apply for the SMD Bridge Program grant?
There is currently an opportunity to apply for grant funding; applications must be submitted by Friday, March 29. Detailed information and application guidelines can be found at the SMD Bridge Program’s website. - Who benefits from these research projects?
The research projects aim to impact faculty and provide hands-on training for over 100 students, helping them transition into graduate schools, NASA employment, or other STEM careers.
Conclusion
NASA’s first roll-out of the SMD Bridge Program grants emphatically highlights the agency’s commitment to diversifying its research relationships and reinforcing its workforce. By channeling funds to repositories of untapped talent across a breadth of institutions, NASA is not only democratizing access to its rich array of resources but is also ensuring the infusion of a wide spectrum of ideas and innovations into its scientific endeavors. This trailblazing program reflects a forward-thinking strategy that will likely yield significant dividends in the advancement of space exploration and related fields.