Minority Serving Institutions Exchange

News and Highlights

Learn how Minority Serving Institutions and students from MUREP-awarded institutions engage with NASA missions.

		The South Pole Safety: Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System Challenge Q & A Panel Discussion What is the South Pole Safety: Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System Challenge and how can you participate? Join the NASA team for a live Q & A panel discussion at 1 p.m. CST Jan. 23 on Zoom. Create a compact, efficient system for astronaut rescue on the lunar surface - helping ensure swift, safe evacuation in extreme conditions.
		Exploration Science Summer Intern Program NASA and its partners in academia, industry, and the international community are examining options for a new era of robotic and human exploration using the Orion vehicle and other new assets that are being developed for missions beyond low-Earth orbit. A new program, called Artemis, is scheduled to land two astronauts near the lunar south pole in 2025, followed by a series of crew landings that broaden our exploration of the lunar surface. These and other efforts are contributing to the international community’s Global Exploration Roadmap. The application deadline is Jan. 20.
		NASA Open Science Reveals Sounds of Space NASA’s "A Universe of Sound" turns astronomy data from observatories like Chandra, Hubble, Webb, and Spitzer into immersive audio experiences. Designed for accessibility, the project allows blind and low vision audiences and sighted listeners to explore space through sound. Led by Dr. Kimberly Arcand, the team assigns musical instruments to data from different wavelengths, creating layered symphonies of data that are openly shared to promote collaboration and transparency. [READ MORE]
		NASA Knows – How Can I Get Involved With NASA Research? NASA provides a variety of pathways for those outside the agency to contribute to authentic and meaningful research. Whether you’re a student pursuing a degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics), an educator looking for new ways to engage your classroom, or a citizen scientist enthusiastic about sharing your observations, there’s a wide array of opportunities to get involved in NASA research.
		For the Benefit of Humanity In 2024, NASA made leap after giant leap to explore, discover, and inspire—all while bringing real, tangible, and substantial benefits to the American people and to all of humanity.
		A Lakota Perspective on STEM: Caitlin Bordeaux’s Journey to NASA and Beyond Caitlin Bordeaux’s journey in education began with a strong commitment to both her heritage and her students. Bordeaux is a Sicangu Lakota educator from the Rosebud reservation, now living on Oglala lands in Thunder Valley, South Dakota. She’s been teaching high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and computer science for eight years, creating culturally relevant curricula that honor Indigenous perspectives.
		NASA Performs First Aircraft Accident Investigation on Another World The review takes a close look the final flight of the agency’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which was the first aircraft to fly on another world. Engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and AeroVironment are completing a detailed assessment of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s final flight on Jan. 18, 2024, which will be published in the next few weeks as a NASA technical report.
		Tara Roanhorse: A Navajo Star Rising at NASA The first words spoken by Tara Roanhorse at her NASA internship were in Navajo: “Yá’át’ééh shík’éí dóó shídiné’é, shí ei Tara Roanhorse dashijiní. Bítsiigha’ Łichí’í Diné’é Bilagáaná níshłǫ́ǫ, Tsi’naajinii báshíshchíín. Áádóó índá Bítsiigha’ Łichí’í Diné’é Bilagáaná eí dashicheii, áádóó Tó Dích’íi’nii dashínálí. Ákót’éego Diné níshłį́į dóó Kimberling City, Missouri hóólyéédę́ę́’ naashá. Ákót’éego nihich’į’ ádééhósiszįįd dooleeł dííshjį́. Ahéhee’!” A traditional greeting, “Hello my friends and my relations, my name is Tara Roanhorse. I am of Irish heritage, born for the black streak wooded people. My maternal grandfather is of Irish heritage and my paternal grandfather is of the bitter water people. I am from Kimberling City, Missouri. In this way, I am a Navajo woman. Thank you!”
		Find Your Place in Space: Explore Your Future with NASA Are you curious about internship opportunities for Summer 2025? Join us at 2 p.m. MT Jan. 15 for an exciting webinar hosted by AISES and featuring Lisa Wininger, an education specialist with NASA's MAIANSE program. This is your chance to learn about invaluable internship options, including NASA internships and Pathways internships, that provide hands-on experience working alongside research scientists and engineers.
		LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science The LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to perform cutting-edge research, learn from widely respected planetary scientists, and discover exciting careers in planetary science. The 10-week program runs from June 2–August 8, 2025. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST Dec. 12. Summer interns will work one-on-one with a scientist from the LPI or the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project.
		Space Station Research Tests Performance of Self-Healing Quantum Technology The Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility mounted on the outside of the International Space Station allows researchers to test the performance and durability of materials and devices. This is done by exposing items of interest to everything that makes the space environment harsh, including radiation, highly reactive atomic oxygen, microgravity, and extreme temperatures.
		Aaron Yazzie: Bridging Indigenous Heritage and Space Exploration Aaron Yazzie’s dream of being part of humanity’s exploration of space took him on a journey from his childhood home on the Navajo Nation to working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. His journey reflects not only his personal ambition, but also a commitment to elevating Indigenous representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
		Access to Capital and Federal Funding Resources Overview Join the NASA Office of Small Business Programs for the session “Access to Capital and Federal Funding Resources Overview at 1 p.m. EST Dec. 18. This session features a dynamic Capital Panel discussion with private lenders, including banks, alongside a Federal Resources Panel. Attendees will hear from representatives of the SBA Financial Assistance Program and the MBDA Financial Assistance Programs, who will provide valuable insights into accessing capital and federal funding resources. Learn about various financial assistance options, eligibility criteria, and application processes designed to support small business growth and innovation.
		Why NASA is a Great Place to Launch Your Career Recently recognized as the most prestigious internship program by Vault.com, NASA has empowered countless students and early-career professionals to launch careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. NASA interns make real contributions to space and science missions, making it one of the best places to start your career.
		IES Invites Applications to NCER’s Research Training Grant Competition The National Center for Education Research at IES released a new funding announcement for Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences (84.305B) for Fiscal Year 2025. These research training programs seek to train and mentor students and researchers to encourage their entry into and success in education research careers. These investments are intended to improve the quality of education research and to build talent in the education sciences workforce.
		NASA Mentor-Protégé Program Relaunch Lunch and Learn The NASA Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) will host an informative Lunch and Learn session on the NASA Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) application process at 1 p.m. EST Nov. 7. This event, tailored to industry and small businesses, will provide insights into the enhanced MPP structure, especially regarding its targeted focus on Research & Development, Aerospace Manufacturing, advanced software, and other cutting-edge technologies.
		NASA MINDS Challenge Information Session Join us for an information session at 3 p.m. EDT Sept. 23 to learn more. “Help NASA get to the Moon – join NASA MINDS” for all interested teams. Visit the timeline to learn more.
		NASA Enhanced Mentor Protégé Program Overview Explore the updated dynamics of NASA’s Enhanced Mentor Protégé Program in our comprehensive webinar, NASA's Enhanced Mentor Protégé Program Overview from 1-2:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 18. This session provides a detailed look at the program’s new features, maintaining its core mission while introducing significant improvements. Attendees will learn about the key changes designed to foster stronger mentor-protégé relationships, the benefits for participating small businesses, and the steps for successful enrollment. Gain valuable insights into the updated timeline for application submissions and discover how this program can accelerate your business growth and innovation within the NASA ecosystem.
		NASA Funds Research Projects Advancing STEM Career Development NASA has awarded $6 million to 20 teams from emerging research institutions across the United States supporting projects that offer career development opportunities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students.
		NASA STEM Program for Indigenous Communities Honored for Excellence NASA has been selected by the International Astronautical Federation to receive its 2024 “3G” Diversity Award, which recognizes organizations for their contributions to fostering geographic, generational, and gender diversity in the space sector.
		NASA Awards Support STEM Research at Minority Serving Institutions NASA has selected 23 minority-serving institutions to receive $1.2 million to grow their research and technology capabilities, collaborate on research projects, and contribute to the agency’s missions for the benefit of humanity.