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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $221,260 to The Catholic University of America (CUA) on March 3, 2025, with performance completion scheduled for March 2, 2028. Under NASA's Science program (CFDA 43.001), CUA will execute a balanced science program aligned with guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, while serving as a key partner in NASA's exploration initiative focusing on scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond. The award supports CUA's advancement of discovery in emerging fields through identification and exploitation of cross-disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines.

Additionally, CUA will develop and implement a directorate-wide, target-user-focused approach to applied programs encompassing Earth science applications, space weather research, planetary defense initiatives, and space situational awareness activities. The research and program execution will take place at CUA's facilities in Washington, DC. This cooperative agreement leverages CUA's established expertise in space science, physics, atmospheric research, and planetary science to support NASA's strategic objective of expanding human knowledge through new scientific discoveries.

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