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.…

Villanova University in the State of Pennsylvania received a $38,500 research grant (Contract No. 23-NICER23-0043) from a civilian federal agency effective December 31, 2024, with completion targeted for December 30, 2027. Titled "The Obscured State of GRS 1915+105," this award supports scientific research execution aligned with National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine guidance and agency exploration initiatives. The research will be conducted at Villanova's campus in Villanova, Pennsylvania, with no set-aside designation applied to this competitive award.

The grant reflects Villanova's established capacity as a federal research partner, consistent with the institution's portfolio of NASA and Shared Services Center awards focused on space exploration science. The research project contributes to the agency's broader balanced science program that advances discovery in emerging fields and supports exploration-focused scientific investigations concerning the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond. As a private Catholic research institution with active federal contracting credentials since 2002, Villanova frequently competes successfully for peer-reviewed research funding across multiple federal agencies and maintains demonstrated expertise in astrophysics and space science research.

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.