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.…

Northern Arizona University has been awarded a $88,956 research grant (Contract 23-CSSFP23-0018) by a civilian federal agency to identify active asteroids in public datasets. The award, issued on October 7, 2024, is structured as a grant for research with an ultimate completion date of October 6, 2026. The work will be performed in Flagstaff, Arizona, and represents part of the agency's broader commitment to executing a balanced science program that advances discovery in emerging fields and supports the government's exploration initiative focusing on scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond. This contract carries no set-aside designation.

NAU brings substantial expertise to this effort, having established itself as a premier public research institution serving as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Native American-serving nontribal institution with extensive federal research capabilities. The university has demonstrated particular strength in planetary science research through previous collaborations with agencies such as NASA and the National Science Foundation, positioning it well to contribute to the agency's objectives in planetary defense and space situational awareness applications. The asteroid identification project aligns with NAU's track record of delivering sophisticated scientific research in specialized domains while supporting critical national research initiatives.

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 agency s 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.