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 Shared Services Center awarded The Regents of the University of Colorado $270,983 on December 16, 2025, under the Science program (CFDA 43.001), a project grant funding balanced science execution aligned with National Academies guidance and congressional direction.

Performance runs through December 15, 2029, at Boulder, Colorado. The award funds participation in NASA's Science Mission Directorate research portfolio across disciplines including astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and lunar discovery and exploration.

The University of Colorado passed $270,983 through to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (National Center for Atmospheric Research) as a sub-award on May 11, 2026. Under that sub-award, NCAR's team provides model simulation, mentorship, and data analysis support to a NASA ECIP investigation titled "Understanding the Responses of Composition and Temperature in the Middle Thermosphere to Geomagnetic Storms," led by Principal Investigator Dr. Xuguang Cai at LASP. Dr. Wenbin Wang mentors NCAR postdoc Dr. Haonan Wu, who conducts thermospheric TIEGCM3.0 model simulations and assists in analyzing GOLD satellite observations and model diagnostics covering October 2018 through November 2024. The NCAR team participates in joint data analysis and preparation of scientific publications with the PI.

Participate as a key partner and enabler in the age