MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Implementation Funding | NNH21ZHA006C

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH21ZHA006C

The MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Implementation Funding opportunity is a NASA cooperative agreement program created to support the Artemis initiative by building stronger research capacity at U.S. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The focus is on helping these institutions develop the people, facilities, and programs needed to contribute meaningfully to NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) priorities, especially technologies that enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and deeper space. In practical terms, M-STAR is designed to move MSIs further along from interest and potential into real, sustained participation in NASA-relevant space technology research and development, while also promoting broader STEM literacy and workforce growth tied to national priorities.

A central theme of the program is capacity-building that aligns directly with STMD. NASA is not just looking for isolated research projects; it is trying to expand the nation’s bench of organizations able to generate new space technology concepts and execute technology development work that matters to NASA centers and missions. Under Goal 1, institutions are expected to develop significant scientific, engineering, and technology research capabilities that connect with one or more STMD programs, and to increase their ability to contribute to the needs of NASA centers and facilities. This makes the program partly about technical progress and partly about institutional maturity: strengthening labs, processes, collaborations, and research depth so an MSI can reliably perform competitive space technology work.

Another major emphasis is preparing MSIs to compete and succeed beyond this single award. Goal 2 highlights readiness for future opportunities, aiming to increase an institution’s ability to pursue additional funding from NASA, industry partners, and other government agencies. The program also encourages institutions to improve how they leverage and coordinate resources internally, so research capacity grows not only at the individual project level but also across departments, colleges, and the wider university. In other words, the funding is meant to help create durable infrastructure and organizational capability, not a one-off activity that fades when the grant ends.

M-STAR also places strong weight on people development, particularly faculty, researchers, and students. Goal 3 targets deeper participation of MSI communities in STMD research programs by building skills and experience in aerospace-related research. For faculty and researchers, this includes professional development and access to NASA research opportunities that expand technical knowledge and strengthen research credentials. For students, the program encourages curriculum enhancement, redesign, and development across courses, degrees, and departments so that aerospace-relevant content and training become embedded in the institution’s academic pathways. In addition, student readiness is expected to be strengthened through NASA internships and other hands-on opportunities, connecting classroom learning with real-world aerospace research and technology development environments.

Finally, the opportunity explicitly ties its outcomes to diversity and representation in the aerospace workforce. Goal 4 is aimed at ensuring that the diversity of NASA’s future workforce, and the undergraduate and graduate degrees earned in aerospace-related fields, better reflect the diversity of the United States. The stated objective is to identify and implement strategies that increase the number of students at MSIs who complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace-related disciplines. This positions M-STAR as both a technology capacity initiative and a workforce pipeline effort, linking institutional strengthening to measurable talent and degree-production outcomes over time.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary NASA opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning NASA typically expects substantial involvement during the period of performance (for example, coordination, guidance, collaboration, or shared technical engagement, depending on the award terms). The funding opportunity number is NNH21ZHA006C under CFDA 43.008, issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The opportunity was posted March 11, 2021, with an original closing date of May 10, 2021. NASA anticipated making about five awards, with an award ceiling of $250,000 per award. Eligibility is listed broadly as “Others,” with the expectation (based on the program’s stated purpose) that applicants are U.S. MSIs or MSI-led efforts consistent with the additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.

Overall, M-STAR Implementation Funding is best understood as a targeted investment in MSI-led space technology capability that supports Artemis and STMD priorities by strengthening research infrastructure, expanding NASA-aligned technical capacity, increasing competitiveness for future funding, developing faculty and student expertise, and advancing a more representative aerospace workforce pipeline through degree growth and experiential opportunities.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Implementation Funding" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.008.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 11, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 10, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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