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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Implementation Funding

What is the MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Implementation Funding opportunity?

M-STAR Implementation Funding is a NASA cooperative agreement program designed to support the Artemis initiative by building stronger space technology research capacity at U.S. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). It aims to help MSIs 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.

Which NASA organization is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with alignment to priorities of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).

What type of funding mechanism is M-STAR?

M-STAR is offered as a cooperative agreement. This typically means NASA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as coordination, guidance, collaboration, or shared technical engagement, depending on the specific award terms.

How does M-STAR connect to the Artemis initiative?

M-STAR is explicitly designed to support Artemis by strengthening MSI-led research and development capacity in space technologies relevant to exploration goals, including technologies that enable missions to the Moon and serve as stepping stones for Mars and deeper-space exploration.

What is the main purpose of M-STAR beyond funding a single research project?

A central theme is capacity-building aligned with STMD. NASA is not only looking for isolated research results; it is seeking to expand the number of organizations that can consistently generate new space technology concepts and execute technology development work that matters to NASA centers and missions. The program emphasizes durable institutional capability, not one-time activities that end when funding ends.

What are the program goals described for M-STAR?

The opportunity describes four major goals: (1) build significant scientific, engineering, and technology research capabilities connected to one or more STMD programs and increase the ability to contribute to NASA center and facility needs; (2) increase readiness to pursue future funding from NASA, industry, and other government agencies by improving how institutions leverage and coordinate internal resources; (3) deepen participation of MSI communities in STMD research by developing faculty, researchers, and students through professional development, curriculum enhancement, and hands-on opportunities such as NASA internships; and (4) strengthen diversity and representation in the aerospace workforce by increasing the number of MSI students completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace-related fields.

What kinds of activities does Goal 1 support?

Goal 1 focuses on developing significant scientific, engineering, and technology research capabilities that connect with one or more STMD programs. It also emphasizes increasing an institution's ability to contribute to the needs of NASA centers and facilities, which implies strengthening research depth, labs, processes, collaborations, and overall research maturity.

What does "capacity-building" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this program, capacity-building refers to strengthening an MSI's ability to perform competitive NASA-relevant space technology research and development reliably over time. That includes building research infrastructure, enhancing institutional processes, deepening collaborations, and developing the human capital needed to sustain NASA-aligned technical work.

How does M-STAR encourage long-term sustainability after the award ends?

Goal 2 emphasizes preparing MSIs to compete and succeed beyond this single award by increasing their ability to pursue additional funding from NASA, industry partners, and other government agencies. The program also encourages institutions to improve coordination and leverage of internal resources so capacity grows across the institution rather than remaining limited to a single project team.

Does M-STAR focus on faculty and researcher development?

Yes. Under Goal 3, the program emphasizes people development, including professional development for faculty and researchers and access to NASA research opportunities that expand technical knowledge and strengthen research credentials in aerospace-related research areas.

How does the opportunity support student development?

The program encourages curriculum enhancement, redesign, and development across courses, degrees, and departments to embed aerospace-relevant content and training into academic pathways. It also highlights strengthening student readiness through NASA internships and other hands-on opportunities that connect classroom learning with real-world aerospace research and technology development environments.

Is workforce diversity an explicit objective of M-STAR?

Yes. Goal 4 explicitly ties outcomes to diversity and representation in the aerospace workforce. The opportunity states an objective to identify and implement strategies that increase the number of MSI students who complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace-related disciplines, helping NASA's future workforce better reflect the diversity of the United States.

What kinds of technology areas is NASA most interested in through M-STAR?

The opportunity is aligned with STMD priorities, with particular emphasis on technologies that enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and deeper space. It is intended to strengthen MSI participation in NASA-relevant space technology research and development connected to STMD programs.

Is M-STAR meant to increase collaboration with NASA centers and facilities?

Yes. Goal 1 specifically calls for increasing an institution's ability to contribute to the needs of NASA centers and facilities, and the cooperative agreement structure suggests active engagement and coordination with NASA during the period of performance.

How many awards did NASA anticipate making?

NASA anticipated making about five awards under this opportunity.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling was listed as $250,000 per award.

When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was posted on March 11, 2021, with an original closing date of May 10, 2021.

What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?

The funding opportunity number is NNH21ZHA006C, under CFDA 43.008.

Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." However, the program's stated purpose indicates an expectation that applicants are U.S. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or MSI-led efforts consistent with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.

Is M-STAR focused more on research outcomes or institutional growth?

It is designed to address both. The opportunity emphasizes that NASA is not just looking for isolated research projects; it is also focused on institutional maturity, including strengthening labs, processes, collaborations, and research depth so MSIs can perform sustained, competitive space technology work aligned with STMD priorities.

How does the program relate to broader STEM literacy and workforce growth?

M-STAR is described as promoting broader STEM literacy and workforce growth tied to national priorities by embedding aerospace-relevant training in curricula and providing hands-on opportunities. It also targets increased degree completion in aerospace-related fields as part of building a stronger, more representative pipeline into the aerospace workforce.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary NASA opportunity?

It means the awards are made at NASA's discretion under the terms of the solicitation and cooperative agreement framework, rather than being an entitlement or formula-based allocation.