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, College Park was awarded an $80,000 research grant by a civilian federal agency's Shared Services Center on October 11, 2024, with a completion date of October 10, 2026. This grant supports a balanced science program that aligns with discipline-specific guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as administration priorities and congressional direction. The university will serve as a key partner in the agency's exploration initiative, conducting scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, while also advancing discovery in emerging cross-disciplinary fields and developing applied programs in areas including Earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.

No set-aside designation was applied to this award. The work will be performed at the University of Maryland, College Park campus in College Park, Maryland, under the administration of the Office of Research Administration & Advancement. As a research-intensive institution and land-grant university, UMD brings substantial capabilities in space exploration, advanced materials research, and scientific innovation to this effort, leveraging its extensive experience executing complex federally-funded research programs across multiple scientific and technological domains.

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.