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 $40,000 research grant by a civilian federal agency through its Shared Services Center, effective November 13, 2024, with completion targeted for November 12, 2026. This grant supports execution of a balanced science program aligned with National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine guidance, administration priorities, and congressional direction. The award encompasses participation in the agency's exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, while advancing discovery in emerging cross-disciplinary fields and developing target-user focused applied programs including Earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness. The contract was awarded without set-aside designation on a competitive basis. UC Berkeley, as a 1862 land grant institution and critical federal research partner, will perform this work at its Albany, California facility.

This award represents a child contract within the university's broader portfolio of federal grants and contracts spanning quantum computing, materials science, space exploration, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and advanced electronics. UC Berkeley's extensive experience managing federal research awards from agencies including NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy positions the institution to integrate fundamental scientific research with practical applications supporting national objectives. The modest award value reflects a focused research component within the agency's larger science and exploration portfolio, leveraging the university's comprehensive interdisciplinary expertise and collaborative research infrastructure.

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.