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 Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has been awarded a $65,628 research grant by NASA's Shared Services Center, a civilian federal agency, with an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2026. The contract, awarded on January 1, 2025, supports UMBC's participation in a balanced science program aligned with guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, administration priorities, and congressional direction. The specific research project focuses on NuSTAR monitoring of a changing-look active galactic nucleus with a newly-launched radio jet, contributing to broader agency objectives in astrophysical research and discovery in space science. The award carries no small business set-aside designation and is structured as a research grant with Other pricing type.

This contract positions UMBC as a key federal research partner within NASA's science exploration initiative, which emphasizes scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, while advancing cross-disciplinary opportunities across traditional scientific domains. UMBC's established track record as a comprehensive research institution with demonstrated expertise in astrophysics, Earth science, and advanced analytical capabilities makes it well-suited to contribute specialized technical and scientific support to NASA's research objectives. The relatively modest ceiling value reflects the focused scope of this particular research effort within UMBC's broader portfolio of federal research contracts and grants spanning multiple agencies and scientific disciplines.

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.