EONS 2018: Appendix E Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Aerospace Academy – (MAA) | NNH18ZHA002N MAA

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH18ZHA002N MAA

The EONS 2018 Appendix E Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Aerospace Academy (MAA) opportunity is a NASA education-focused funding announcement that supports Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in delivering NASA-themed STEM engagement experiences for K-12 students, especially those who are historically underserved and underrepresented. NASA makes these awards as cooperative agreements, meaning NASA expects to have an active role during the project rather than simply providing funds with minimal involvement. Each award can run for up to two years, with an award ceiling of $325,000, and NASA anticipated making about seven awards under this specific announcement (Funding Opportunity Number NNH18ZHA002N MAA; CFDA 43.008). The original proposal closing date listed for this cycle was March 22, 2018.

At its core, the MAA is designed to use NASA missions, content, and unique assets to spark sustained interest in STEM and build real skills and knowledge that make STEM pathways feel achievable and exciting for younger learners. NASA frames this around "STEM engagement," emphasizing learning experiences where students actively participate, practice skills, and connect what they are learning to authentic problems and real-world contexts. The program description highlights established research findings that active, hands-on instructional approaches tend to improve skill acquisition, increase retention of information, encourage more positive attitudes toward STEM, and strengthen persistence in STEM studies over time. Through this effort, NASA is explicitly trying to strengthen the future STEM workforce and support the broader national interest in economic growth and global competitiveness, while cultivating talent connected to NASA mission needs.

The stated goal of the NASA MAA is to build K-12 student interest, skills, and knowledge for STEM careers by engaging them in authentic experiences grounded in NASA mission content. From that goal, the opportunity lays out several concrete objectives. First, it aims to increase the number of underserved and underrepresented students who become interested in NASA-specific STEM careers. Second, it seeks to equip parents and caregivers with skills and confidence to support and encourage their children in STEM activities and programs, recognizing that family support can be a major factor in whether students stick with STEM. Third, the MAA encourages involvement from community groups and external partners, such as businesses, industry, museums, and educational or professional organizations, through activities like mentoring, field trips, guest speakers, and related programming. Finally, it prioritizes firsthand STEM experiences for students, including hands-on learning, research exposure, use of advanced technology, peer support structures, and mentoring relationships with STEM professionals.

Eligibility is restricted to accredited Minority Serving Institutions located in the United States, and NASA directs applicants to Appendix E Section 3 for the full eligibility details. The solicitation also flags Appendix E Section 2.3 for teaming requirements and partnership guidelines, signaling that collaborations and partner roles are a formal consideration in proposal design. While the award is made to an MSI, the opportunity anticipates that institutions may work with other entities (for example, informal education organizations, nonprofits, and state or local government agencies) as sub-awardees or contractors, as long as the required registrations and proposal system rules are followed.

Operationally, the opportunity is specific about required identifiers and registrations that must be in place no later than the proposal due date. Applicants must have a DUNS number, an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), a valid CAGE code, and a valid registration in NASA's proposal system, NSPIRES. Importantly, NSPIRES registration requirements apply not only to the prime applicant but also to any entities included for sub-awards or subcontracts. In addition, all key personnel involved in the proposal, including principal investigators and co-investigators, must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the organization submits through NSPIRES directly or through Grants.gov.

Proposals must be submitted electronically by the due date, and submission must be completed by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Organizations can submit via NSPIRES or via Grants.gov, but if they choose Grants.gov they still must also be registered in NSPIRES. NASA also encourages applicants to begin system registration and familiarization early, since delays in account setup or authorization can jeopardize on-time submission. For questions, NASA requests that prospective proposers email NASAMAA@nasaprs.com at least 10 business days before the due date to allow enough time for responses. Finally, NASA notes that additional guidance may be released before the deadline in the form of FAQs or formal amendments, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking NSPIRES (http://nspires.nasaprs.com) for updates.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EONS 2018: Appendix E Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Aerospace Academy – (MAA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.008.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 09, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 22, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $325,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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