Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress.…

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) was awarded a $608.7K research grant by a civilian federal agency effective October 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2028. This grant supports UC Berkeley's participation in a balanced science program aligned with National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine guidance and congressional direction. The research focuses on the agency's exploration initiative, emphasizing scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, while also advancing discovery across interdisciplinary opportunities and developing applied programs in Earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness. The award carries no set-aside designation, indicating open competition based on technical merit.

As a public research university and land-grant institution, UC Berkeley will execute this research program at its Albany, California facility. The university's extensive track record in federal research partnerships—particularly with agencies including NASA, the Department of Energy, and DARPA—demonstrates its capacity to deliver sophisticated research across quantum computing, materials science, space exploration, and advanced technologies. This grant represents the type of interdisciplinary research initiative that characterizes UC Berkeley's federal portfolio, combining fundamental scientific inquiry with practical applications relevant to national priorities in space exploration and Earth science.

Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress. Participate as a key partner and enabler in the agencys exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research of, on, and from the moon, lunar orbit, mars, and beyond. Advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines develop a directorate-wide, target-user focused approach to applied programs, including earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.