NASA is looking to increase diversity in its research collaborations by teaming up with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) through its Minority Uni

Key Highlights :

1. NASA is seeking to expand its partnerships and encourage "a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility".

2. Through the Minority University Research and Education Project Partnership (MUREP), NASA provides expert guidance and financial assistance to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

3. This year's MUREP will consist of two phases, which will commence with MSI Principle Investigators (PIs) submitting proposals based on topics provided by NASA MUREP and three NASA Mission Directorates.

4. The topics they have provided address specific challenges and priorities outlined in NASA's 'Moon to Mars" mission architecture, including In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU).

5. Some examples include: Textiles for Extreme Surface Environments and High Oxygen Atmospheres: Due to the electrostatically-charged nature of lunar regolith (aka. "moondust"), it adheres to spacesuits, causes abrasion, and can muck up machinery when transported back to spacecraft (or habitats).

6. Sustainable Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Extraction and Transformation: technology that allows for the capture from the Martian atmosphere and converting it into oxygen gas and other useful products for use by astronauts.

7. Extended Reality (XR): technology that combines augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), mixed reality, and hybrid reality technology to provide improved astronaut training, analysis tools, and real-time operations support.

8. Aerospace Spinoffs: ideas that build on NASA's long history of aeronautical innovation, which has direct applications for the aviation industry and air transportation systems to make it more sustainable and accessible.

     The goal of the MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) is to reduce the “invisible barriers” that have historically prevented MSIs from engaging in partnerships and collaborations with NASA. This year’s MUREP is facilitated through the leading crowdsourcing platform HeroX and will focus on topics related to NASA’s “Moon to Mars” mission architecture, including In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU).

     NASA is looking for proposals that offer the most advantageous research and development (R&D), deliver technological innovation that contributes to NASA’s missions, provide societal benefit, and grow the U.S. economy. This includes ideas such as textiles for extreme surface environments and high oxygen atmospheres, sustainable atmospheric carbon dioxide extraction and transformation, extended reality (XR) technology, lunar and Martian propellant, space radiation, and aerospace spinoffs.

     The 2023 MUREP officially opened for Phase I submissions on April 11th and will remain open until May 30th. Winners will be announced on June 28th and will have the chance to compete in Phase 2, where NASA will facilitate communication and meetings between the awardees, MUREP and Mission Directorate representatives, and subject matter experts. This phase will run from July to December 2023 and the winning teams will be awarded up to $50,000 to further develop and mature their proposals.

     Through the MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification, NASA is hoping to increase diversity in its research collaborations and provide MSIs with valuable experience that will prepare them for other NASA funding opportunities. By partnering with MSIs, NASA gains valuable insight and ideas from a broader community, while MSIs gain access to resources and expertise that will help them succeed in their research and development endeavors.

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