The overall goal of north dakota NASA epscor (established program to stimulate competitive research) is to increase the competitiveness of north dakota for merit-based grants and contracts in…

This federal contract award, valued at $449,999.22, was issued by the Shared Services Center to the University of North Dakota (UND) Division of Research & Economic Development. The award is a cooperative agreement to support the goals of the North Dakota NASA EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program.

The objectives of the ND NASA EPSCoR program are to build research capabilities in NASA-relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, promote collaboration and research partnerships, and support activities that enhance NASA-related research initiatives within North Dakota. The award funds seed grants, travel grants, and synergistic activities across five research focus areas: astronomy and planetary sciences, human space exploration, Earth science, materials science, and small satellites. This work aligns with NASA's strategic goals and technology roadmaps, with the overall aim of increasing North Dakota's competitiveness for merit-based federal research funding.

The overall goal of north dakota NASA epscor (established program to stimulate competitive research) is to increase the competitiveness of north dakota for merit-based grants and contracts in support of science and technology research from federal funding agencies. This mission statement is the guiding principle for all ND NASA epscor program activities. ND NASA epscor has established the following goals, objectives, and priorities, to train the north dakota workforce in stem (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines of relevance to NASA. ND NASA epscor goals include: 1) establish long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive research capabilities in aerospace and stem disciplines at north dakota colleges and universities; 2) promote research in north dakota of strategic importance to the NASA mission; 3) promote programming that demonstrates a lasting and positive impact on the overall research infrastructure, stem capabilities, economic development, and citizens of north dakota. To accomplish each of these goals, ND NASA epscor has established the following methods/techniques (objectives). 1) build core competitive research strength in NASA-relevant stem fields through seed grants awarded to faculty at north dakota colleges and universities; 2) promote collaboration and research partnerships through travel grants awarded to north dakota faculty, staff, and students participating in NASA-relevant research; 3) support synergistic activities that provide opportunities for north dakota researchers to participate in meetings, workshops, professional development, and travel to enhance NASA-relevant research initiatives. ND NASA epscor also focuses on three priorities: 1) diversity, 2) collaboration, and 3) student support. The significance of the seed grants, travel grants, and synergistic activities to NASA can be seen through the five research focus areas (rfas): RFA a astronomy and planetary sciences, RFA b human space exploration, RFA c earth science, RFA d materials science, and RFA e small satellites. These rfas align with NASA strategic goals 1, 2, and 3. All project elements also align with the NASA science technology mission directorate (stmd), NASA s science mission directorate (SMD) , and NASA s technology area (TA) roadmaps. Through this alignment, ND NASA epscor aims to meet NASA s research and technology development priorities.