Wyoming NASA epscor RID proposal 2015 - 2018 wyoming remains the state with the smallest population (slightly over 500,000) and its economy is largely driven by extractive industries, agriculture, and…

This federal contract award, valued at $500,000.00, was made by the Shared Services Center (a civilian agency) to the University of Wyoming under the WYOMING NASA EPSCOR RID PROPOSAL 2015 - 2018 program. The contract is a Cooperative Agreement with the objective of continuing to develop a coherent materials science and engineering program at the University of Wyoming that aligns with NASA's goals and objectives. The funding will support faculty seed grants, graduate fellowships, a materials science speaker series, a graduate symposium, and travel opportunities for the university to develop new partnerships with NASA centers and mission directorates. This contract is not set aside for any specific business category.

Wyoming NASA epscor RID proposal 2015 - 2018 wyoming remains the state with the smallest population (slightly over 500,000) and its economy is largely driven by extractive industries, agriculture, and tourism. The university of wyoming (UW) is the only PH.d. Granting research institution in the state and therefore scientific activities that address key areas of state concern are concentrated at UW. In the university of wyoming's academic plan for 2009-2014, one of the main areas for increased development is in critical areas of science and technology, one being materials science research. Additionally, there is a continued focus on materials science and engineering research through the wyoming governor's energy, engineering, and stem integration task force and the wyoming governor's university of wyoming science programs and facilities task force. Both of these task forces are involved in developing and identifying high-priority areas for research and economic focus for the state and the university. The university of wyoming academic plan draft for 2015-2020 is ongoing and members of the materials science group continue to give input into future plans for areas of research distinction in the state. Over the course of the past several years, wyoming NASA epscor has been key in founding the materials science and engineering program (MSE) at the university of wyoming, which brings together students and faculty with research interests and expertise in materials science and engineering from many departments. The MSE program provides a rich, collaborative research environment for graduate students, research scientists, and faculty. The main objective of funding for wyoming NASA epscor is to continue to develop mthin the university of wyoming a coherent program in materials science and engineering that is augned with stated NASA objectives and coordinated with NASA centers conducting materials science research. Although there are a number of ongoing materials science research programs at UW, collaborations are underutilized and there is a lack of coordination towards NASA goals and objectives. The university of wyoming has made the development of a materials science and engineering (MSE) program a priority in its academic plans and the NASA epscor program has been critical to its development. The core funding for wyoming NASA epscor will continue to support the development of the MSE program, in addition to supporting faculty seed grants, graduate fellowships, a materials science speaker series, a MSE graduate symposium, and travel opportunities to develop new contacts and cooperative research ties with NASA centers and/or mission directorates and to develop new partnerships within the jurisdiction. These project elements will continue to enable a cohesive, collaborative group in materials science at the university of wyoming aimed at furthering NASA goals and objectives in materials science research, meeting jurisdiction economic development needs, and strengthening university academic goals and areas of distinction. They will also enable the development of partnerships with organizations outside of the university, which will enhance the jurisdiction's abilities to respond to the research and technology development needs of NASA and the state. Wyoming NASA epscor goals and objectives include: 1) increase research opportunities in materials science at the university of wyoming, 2)continue to enable a cohesive materials science research group at the university, 3) provide student opportunities in materials science research to attract and retain students in materials science and strengthen workforce development in these areas, 4) build collaborations with NASA centers and increase partnerships within the jurisdiction, and 5) encourage participation of underrepresented minorities and women in NASA epscor programs.