MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO) Group 6R | NNH18ZHA008C MIROG6R

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH18ZHA008C MIROG6R

The MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO) Group 6R is a NASA funding opportunity designed to strengthen research capacity and STEM talent development at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that previously received MIRO awards under NASA's FY14 EONS solicitation (specifically those designated as "Group 6"). Offered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under CFDA 43.008, this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees should expect active collaboration and involvement from NASA as the project is carried out. The program sits at the intersection of NASA's research mission and its STEM education and workforce goals, aiming to build durable institutional capabilities rather than short-term, isolated projects.

At the core of MIRO Group 6R is the goal of expanding the national aerospace research and development base by helping eligible MSIs develop new or strengthened research and technology concepts that directly align with NASA priorities. Proposals are expected to connect clearly to the work of one or more NASA Mission Directorates, including Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Operations, Science, and Space Technology, and to build meaningful engagement with NASA's Centers. A key expectation is that the lead institution will grow into a stronger contributor to NASA's mission by establishing or enhancing substantial scientific, engineering, and technology research centers or center-like capabilities on campus.

A second major emphasis is institutional advancement through partnerships. MIRO Group 6R encourages MSIs to build strategic, sustainable collaborations with other academic institutions, NASA research assets, and industry partners. These partnerships are not treated as optional add-ons; they are part of the pathway to building long-term research strength, helping institutions sustain work beyond the period of performance and positioning them to compete for additional support from NASA, other federal agencies, and private-sector sources. The opportunity also stresses strengthening research leadership and the ability to leverage resources across multiple levels of the institution, from individual projects to departments, colleges, and broader university research infrastructure.

The third focus area is deepening participation of MSI faculty, researchers, and students in NASA-relevant research programs. MIRO Group 6R places value on professional development and research opportunities that build faculty and researcher expertise in NASA-aligned topics, while also enhancing student preparation through curriculum redesign, course development, and degree-level improvements. The intent is to make NASA-related research and training a more integrated and consistent part of the institution's academic and research environment, rather than relying solely on internships or isolated research experiences.

The fourth goal centers on workforce diversity and degree attainment in NASA-related fields. MIRO Group 6R aims to put mechanisms in place that increase both the number and the quality of undergraduate and graduate degrees earned by students from MSIs in disciplines aligned with NASA needs, with an explicit focus on ensuring the diversity of the NASA workforce and the national aerospace talent pipeline more closely reflects the diversity of the United States. In practice, this means proposals should show how their research, training, and curricular components translate into stronger pathways for students into aerospace careers and advanced study.

Administratively, the solicitation was created on March 4, 2020, with an original closing date of May 8, 2020. NASA anticipated making about five awards, with an award ceiling of $2,000,000 per award. Because it is a cooperative agreement, applicants should plan for ongoing coordination with NASA during execution, including alignment with NASA priorities and program expectations.

Eligibility is narrow and specific: proposals must come from lead institutions that were previously awarded under the FY14 EONS NASA Research Announcement NNH14ZHA001N-MIRO and identified as Group 6. Institutions that do not meet that requirement cannot apply as the lead, but they are encouraged to participate as partners with eligible lead institutions. The solicitation also notes that if the awardee chooses to use a third party for fiscal management or administration (such as a university system, board of regents, or foundation), that arrangement is handled between the awardee and that third party and does not change the core eligibility requirement for the lead applicant.

Finally, MIRO Group 6R requires that proposed activities align not only with the goals listed in the appendix but also with the broader framework and requirements described in the Education Opportunities in NASA STEM 2019 (EONS-2019) solicitation materials. The awards are authorized under the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (51 U.S.C. 20113(e)), which underpins NASA's authority to support these types of research capacity-building and STEM advancement efforts.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO) Group 6R" 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 04, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 08, 2020. (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 $2,000,000.00 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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