NASA strategic goal 4: enhance capabilities and operations to catalyze current and future mission success. NASA investments in stem engagement are focused on building a future stem workforce,…

NASA awarded a $3.41M cooperative agreement to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents, through its Sponsored Programs Office, effective April 10, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of May 31, 2029. The award supports NASA's Strategic Goal 4 to enhance capabilities and operations for mission success through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) engagement initiatives. The cooperative agreement, which carries no set-aside designation, is funded through NASA's Shared Services Center and will be performed in Reno, Nevada. NSHE, a public higher education system encompassing institutions such as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno, brings extensive experience in executing federally-funded research and educational programs across multiple agencies.

The funding is directed toward building a future STEM workforce by supporting program elements designed to strengthen capacity and attract, engage, and enable students to pursue STEM careers through NASA-unique opportunities. This aligns with NASA's broader institutional investment in developing the next generation of science and technology professionals. NSHE's demonstrated capabilities in managing complex scientific, technological, and educational initiatives, combined with its existing portfolio of federal awards from agencies including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Education, position the organization to effectively deliver STEM engagement and workforce development activities under this cooperative agreement.

NASA strategic goal 4: enhance capabilities and operations to catalyze current and future mission success. NASA investments in stem engagement are focused on building a future stem workforce, through program elements designed to bolster capacity and to attract, engage and enable students to move toward stem careers through NASA-unique opportunities.