D.4 university leadership initiative the university leadership initiative (ULI) is a portfolio item in NASA aeronautics research mission directorate s (armd) university innovation (UI) project. The…

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc. has been awarded a $6.7 million cooperative agreement under NASA's University Leadership Initiative (ULI), a portfolio component within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate's University Innovation Project. The award, designated 24-ULI STEP-B-0049, is titled "Safety-Aware Learning and Assured Autonomy for Aviation Applications" and will be performed at the university's Daytona Beach, Florida campus through July 31, 2029. This cooperative agreement represents a non-set-aside award that enables Embry-Riddle to lead an independent research team addressing complex challenges aligned with NASA's aeronautics strategic thrusts.

The ULI program provides universities with substantial autonomy to define research direction, establish peer review mechanisms, and develop innovative teaming strategies while complementing NASA's broader aeronautics portfolio. By focusing on safety-aware learning and assured autonomy for aviation applications, Embry-Riddle's research is positioned to advance the U.S. aviation community's capabilities while supporting education and workforce development across multiple student levels. The award aligns with ULI's strategic objectives to transition research results to industry stakeholders, expand participation from non-R1 institutions and underrepresented faculty, and generate innovations that may create new product lines or influence the direction of industry and NASA programs.

D.4 university leadership initiative the university leadership initiative (ULI) is a portfolio item in NASA aeronautics research mission directorate s (armd) university innovation (UI) project. The university leadership initiative is a grant and cooperative agreement funding opportunity in NASA s armd UI project. D.4.1 ULI overview and goals armd created ULI for universities to take the lead, build their own teams, and set their own research path. ULI seeks new, innovative ideas that can complement the NASA armd portfolio and support the U.S. Aviation community to benefit the american public. ULI s strategic goals are: assist in achieving aviation outcomes defined in the armd strategic implementation plan 2023 ( strategic plan ) [REF. 1] through NASA-complementary research. Transition research results to an appropriate range of stakeholders that leads to a continuation of the research. Transition can occur in several ways, including the following: o creates a new product line in U.S. Industry or a new armd project, o whole ULI concept is transitioned to U.S. Industry/armd project, o part of the ULI concept is transitioned to U.S. Industry/armd project, o ULI findings impact direction of U.S. Industry/armd. Provide broad opportunities for education and workforce development by targeting students at different levels, including k-12, community college, undergraduate, and graduate, to participate in aeronautics research and relevant educational opportunities. Promote increased participation of non-R1 institutions [REF. 2] and underrepresented university faculties in ULI activities. ULI provides the opportunity for university teams to exercise technical and organizational leadership in proposing unique technical challenges, defining 7 interdisciplinary solutions, establishing peer review mechanisms, and applying innovative teaming strategies to strengthen the research impact. By addressing the most complex challenges associated with armd strategic thrusts, universities will accelerate progress toward achievement of high impact outcomes while leveraging their capability to bring together the best and brightest minds across many disciplines. In order to transition their research, principal investigators (PIS) are expected to actively explore transition opportunities and pursue follow-on funding from stakeholders and industrial partners during the award.