Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded University of California Santa Cruz $144,096 through the Science program (CFDA 43.001) on February 9, 2026, for a performance period extending through February 8, 2028. This project grant supports the execution of a balanced science program aligned with guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, while advancing NASA's strategic priorities and congressional direction. The award enables UCSC to function as a key partner in NASA's Science Mission Directorate initiatives, which pursue the expansion of human knowledge through scientific discoveries across multiple disciplines including astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, Earth science, heliophysics, and planetary science.

Research activities will be conducted at UCSC's Santa Cruz, California facility. The funding supports UCSC's capacity to contribute to NASA's diverse portfolio of competitive research initiatives, leveraging the institution's established capabilities in scientific research and technical services. As a major research university and Land Grant institution, UCSC will conduct theoretical modeling, data analysis, laboratory experiments, or field studies consistent with NASA's Science Mission Directorate objectives, with proposals evaluated on scientific quality, technical merit, and alignment with NASA's strategic goals.