- Type
- Cooperative Agreement Notice
- Dates
- Release
- Jun 11, 2026
- M STAR Proposals Due
- Aug 11, 2026
- Title
- MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR)
- Number
- NNH26ZHA002C
- Pdf Text
- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)
Office of STEM Engagement
Fiscal Year 2026
Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP)
Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR)
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: NNH26ZHA002C
ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 43.008
ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:
Initial announcement of this funding opportunity
ISSUED DATE: June 11, 2026
KEY DATES
NOFO Released June 11, 2026
Proposals Due August 11, 2026, 11:59 pm ET
Pre-Proposal Webinar (Optional)
July 9, 2026, 3 p.m. ET
(DATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Check M-STAR landing page for details
Pre-Proposal Office Hours (Optional)
August 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET
(DATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Check M-STAR landing page for details
Anticipated Notification of Award October 2026
OMB Control Number: 2700-0092
FY 2026 M-STAR NOFO
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. Basic Information .................................................................................................................... 2
1. Funding Details ................................................................................................................ 2
2. Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 3
3. Agency Contact Information .......................................................................................... 4
B. Eligibility .................................................................................................................................. 4
1. Eligible Applicants ........................................................................................................... 4
2. Cost Sharing ..................................................................................................................... 5
3. Other Eligibility Criteria ................................................................................................... 5
C. Program Description ............................................................................................................... 5
The goals and objectives of M-STAR awards are as follows: ............................................. 6
National Priorities ................................................................................................................... 7
Research Priorities for NASA Mission Directorates and Centers ...................................... 9
Roles and Responsibilities of Key Personnel ........................................................................ 9
3. Program Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 10
D. Application Contents and Format ....................................................................................... 11
Content and Form of Application Submission ................................................................... 11
E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines ........................................................................... 14
How To Request an Application Package ........................................................................... 15
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) ................. 15
F. Application Review Information .......................................................................................... 16
Application Evaluation Criteria........................................................................................... 16
Review and Selection Process ............................................................................................... 18
G. Award Notices ........................................................................................................................ 19
Notice of Award ..................................................................................................................... 19
H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration ................................................................. 20
1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements .................................................... 20
2. NASA Terms and Conditions ....................................................................................... 20
3. Summary of M-STAR Recipient Responsibilities....................................................... 20
4. Funding Restrictions...................................................................................................... 21
5. Environmental Statement ............................................................................................. 23
6. Reporting ........................................................................................................................ 24
I. Other Information ................................................................................................................. 27
J. Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 27
Appendix 1: Guidelines for Submitting Comprehensive Evaluation Plans ............................ 27
A. Basic Information
1. Funding Details
Available Appropriated Funding for the NOFO: $12,000,000.00 (over a 2-year period)
Anticipated Number of Awards: 12 Awards
Expected Dollar Value of Awards: $1,000,000 Per Award
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Anticipated Award Date: October 2026
Availability of Funds:
Awards issued pursuant to this NOFO are contingent upon the availability of appropriated
funds. Although awards issued under this NOFO may have multi-year periods of performance,
NASA generally will obligate funds only for the initial budget period at the time of award.
Funding for subsequent budget periods is contingent upon the availability of appropriated
funds, satisfactory recipient performance, and NASA’s determination that continued support is
in the best interest of the Government.
The publication of this NOFO does not constitute a commitment by NASA to make awards or
to provide funding beyond the level currently appropriated and available for obligation.
2. Executive Summary
The Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis
Research (M-STAR) opportunity is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
initiative through its Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). Its primary purpose is to enhance
the research capabilities and infrastructure of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), enabling
them to participate in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) research to
support the Agency’s advancement of technologies needed for exploration of the Moon, Mars,
and beyond.
The M-STAR opportunity has four key goals that guide its mission:
1. Advance Research: M-STAR helps MSIs expand their capacity to conduct advanced
science, engineering, and technology research that directly supports NASA's STMD. This
includes fostering new and innovative ideas and strengthening their ability to contribute to
NASA missions.
2. Increase Participation: M-STAR works to make MSIs more competitive for future
research funding from NASA, other federal agencies, and the private sector. It helps these
institutions build robust and self-sustaining departments and research infrastructure.
3. Engage the Community: M-STAR creates opportunities for faculty and researchers at
MSIs to collaborate with NASA, which in turn enhances their expertise in space-related
fields. The program also helps institutions design academic curricula and offers students
valuable hands-on experience and internships at NASA.
4. Develop the STEM Workforce: In alignment with the federal “America’s Talent Strategy:
Building a Workforce for the Golden Age,” a core objective is to increase the number of
students from MSIs who earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace-related
fields. By focusing on this, the program helps build a sustainable talent pipeline for the
future STEM workforce.
The target audience and eligible recipients of the M-STAR opportunity are MSIs. The funding
and collaborative opportunities are designed to directly benefit the faculty, researchers, and
students at these institutions, helping them grow as leaders in space technology and research.
In addition, M-STAR aligns with national priorities to strengthen the United States research
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enterprise, expand participation in federally supported research, and cultivate a highly skilled
STEM workforce.
3. Agency Contact Information
Project Office Contact
Selection Official
Alicia Baturoni Cortez, Acting MUREP Manager
Mary W. Jackson - NASA Headquarters
300 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20546
Dr. Vemitra Alexander, M-STAR Activity Manager
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Email: NASAMSTAR@nasaprs.com
NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES)
NSPIRES is the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System.
This web-based system supports the entire lifecycle of NASA research solicitation and
selection, from the release of Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) through proposal
submission, the peer review and the decision process. Applicants may search for and apply
for funding opportunities available at NASA through NSPIRES. For technical assistance
with NSPIRES, please contact the NSPIRES Help Desk at nspires-help@nasaprs.com or
(202) 479-9376, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.
B. Eligibility
1. Eligible Applicants
☒ Limited Competition: Eligibility to apply is restricted to the entity or entities identified in
this NOFO. Proposals from entities not specifically identified as eligible will not be reviewed.
To be eligible for this funding opportunity, all proposals shall originate from two-year or four-
year institutions designated and listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a MSI at the time
of proposal submission (see NASA MSI List), including public, state-controlled, and private
institutions. Proposals from institutions that are not designated and listed by the U.S.
Department of Education as MSIs at the time of proposal submission will result in NASA
returning the application without review. Institutions not meeting these criteria are encouraged
to partner with colleges or universities that do satisfy the requirements. Any arrangement or
agreement to have the fiscal management and/or administration of the award performed by a
third party is between the recipient and the third party, (e.g., an affiliated Board of Regents,
University System or Foundation). Further information defining the individual types of
organizations are available on Grants.gov and 2 CFR Part 200.1.
The MSI shall serve as the lead institution and identify one or more local, regional, or national
partners with expertise or capabilities related to the advancement of research directly related to
NASA’s STMD.
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Eligible organizations may submit multiple lead proposals per Unique Entity Identifier (UEI);
however, each proposal shall have a different Principal Investigator (PI). If a PI submits more
than one proposal, all the proposals will be returned without review by NASA and will not be
considered for a federal award.
Institutions awarded M-STAR Implementation Funding cooperative agreements under the
EONS-2023 NOFO (NNH23ZHA001N-MSTAR) are not eligible for this funding opportunity.
2. Cost Sharing
Cost sharing is not required. Voluntary cost sharing or matching will not be considered in the
evaluation of a proposal.
3. Other Eligibility Criteria
Ineligibility of Proposals That Include Participation of China or Chinese-Owned
Companies
Proposals involving bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination in any way with China
or any Chinese-owned company, whether funded or performed under a no- exchange-of-funds
basis, shall be ineligible for award.
C. Program Description
This NASA OSTEM Minority University Research and Education Project – Space Technology
Artemis Research (M-STAR) NOFO aims to expand the nation's participation base for
competitive Space Technology Mission Directorate research opportunities. Through M-STAR,
NASA solicits proposals from MSIs to strengthen and develop research capacity and
infrastructure in areas of strategic importance to NASA’s mission and national priorities for
STEM Education and workforce development.
Technology is the foundation of space exploration and a driver of the space economy. STMD is
shaping the missions of the future while delivering the cutting-edge technology that defines
American leadership in space exploration. STMD fosters breakthrough ideas, embraces risk,
and fuels a vibrant aerospace economy that empowers both established leaders and emerging
innovators. As NASA enters a Golden Age of innovation and exploration, STMD is advancing
technologies and testing capabilities at the Moon that will also be critical for future Mars
missions.
STMD’s portfolio spans a wide range of disciplines and technology readiness levels, supporting
research and development at NASA Centers, universities, national laboratories, small
businesses, and in partnership with other federal agencies, commercial entities, and
international collaborators. By fostering creative ideas from researchers and innovators across
the country, STMD builds a community tackling the nation’s toughest space technology
challenges.
NASA’s STMD’s activities are organized around functional-based programs, referred to as
Domains.
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1. Space Transportation (GO) – Enable future science missions and human exploration of
the Moon, Mars, and beyond by maturing propulsion, propellant management,
maneuverability, and long-duration operational technologies required for reliable
transportation across the exploration architecture.
2. Space to Surface Access (LAND) – Develop technologies for entry, descent, and landing,
including sensors, materials, algorithms, and modeling that enable landing higher-mass
payloads and with greater touchdown accuracy on the lunar surface, Mars, and other
planetary bodies.
3. Surface Infrastructure (LIVE) – Establish foundational surface infrastructure capabilities
needed to explore and operate on the surface of the Moon and Mars, including advanced
power and thermal systems, environments and dust mitigation, and surface sustainability
and logistics.
4. In-Space Infrastructure & Discovery (EXPAND) – Rapid development and
demonstration of capabilities that support scalable in-space infrastructure, accelerate the
pace of exploration and discovery, and support U.S. space commerce, including
communications, position, navigation, and timing; small spacecraft and distributed systems;
and in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing.
5. Foundational Capabilities (ENABLE) – Advance cross-cutting capabilities and
technologies to enable human and scientific exploration of cis-lunar space and beyond,
including advanced materials, structures, and manufacturing, and avionics.
NASA’s STMD has identified 32 Space Shortfalls, technology gaps that must be addressed to
enable a Golden Age of Exploration. These priorities guide investments that will bolster future
science and exploration missions through transformative technologies.
STMD’s Catalysts and Innovative Mechanisms (previously referred to as Early Stage
Innovations and Partnerships) is a portfolio of activities and services that leverage a wide range
of procurement and partnership mechanisms to enable NASA and its partners to address
capability shortfalls and opportunities, develop a pipeline of talent for NASA and the nation,
and manage agency-wide technology and innovation. Through Catalysts, NASA enables
partnerships with and between a wide variety of innovators, including industry, and academia,
using a broad suite of awards, activities, and mechanisms.
The goals and objectives of M-STAR awards are as follows:
FY 2026 M-STAR NOFO
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• Goal 1: Expand the nation's base for space technology by fostering new research and
technology development concepts aligned with NASA priorities.
o Objective 1.1: Develop significant scientific, engineering, and/or technology research
capabilities at MSIs that align with and engage one or more priorities of STMD.
o Objective 1.2: Increase the lead institution’s capacity to contribute to the priorities of
STMD and NASA’s Centers and facilities.
• Goal 2: Promote MSI participation in NASA STMD opportunities.
o Objective 2.1: Increase the lead institution’s readiness to pursue additional funding
opportunities offered by NASA, industry, and other Federal Government agencies.
o Objective 2.2: Increase the lead institution's capabilities to leverage resources to
enhance its research capacity at the project, program, department, college, and/or
university levels.
• Goal 3: Strengthen participation of faculty, researchers, and students at MSIs in the research
programs of the NASA STMD.
o Objective 3.1: Increase faculty and researcher knowledge and skills in aerospace-related
research through professional development and NASA research opportunities.
o Objective 3.2: Increase capacity to develop student knowledge and skills in aerospace-
related research through curriculum enhancement, redesign, and development at the
course, degree, and/or department level.
o Objective 3.3: Increase capacity to develop student knowledge and skills in aerospace-
related research through NASA internships and opportunities.
• Goal 4: Cultivate a Skilled STEM Workforce that strengthens NASA and the aerospace
workforce. This goal focuses on strengthening the talent pipeline for NASA and the broader
aerospace industry. It aims to build a skilled workforce by investing in the development of
students and professionals.
o Objective 4.1: Identify and implement strategies to increase the number of
undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded to students from MSIs in aerospace-
related fields, thereby creating a robust pipeline of qualified professionals with
transferable skills needed to succeed in STEM and aerospace-related careers.
The culmination of these objectives is to elevate the capabilities of MSIs in contributing to
NASA's STMD by fostering an environment where faculty, researchers, and students can
thrive. By enhancing professional development opportunities, refining curriculum, and
increasing access to internships, the goals align with broader efforts to cultivate a skilled STEM
workforce. Furthermore, by investing in the development of institutions and individuals, the M-
STAR awards reinforce the strategic priorities of NASA, ensuring that the nation remains at the
forefront of aerospace innovation and exploration.
National Priorities
All M-STAR awards are expected to inspire and develop a Golden Age of American explorers,
scientists, engineers, and technologists to maintain U.S. excellence and leadership in science
and technology. By aligning with national efforts to ENSURING AMERICAN SPACE
SUPERIORITY – The White House), these initiatives seek not only to enhance the competitive
edge of the nation's space endeavors, but also to foster robust collaborations between academia,
FY 2026 M-STAR NOFO
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industry, and government. Through strategic investments in space research
and development, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and nurturing an
environment prepared for scientific breakthroughs, these objectives collectively aim
to maintain the United States at the forefront of global space exploration and technology
leadership.
More specifically, consistent with Executive Order (EO) 14332, M-STAR:
• Promotes Presidential Policy Priorities by fostering STEM workforce development
and encouraging space technology innovation.
• Prefers Lower Indirect Cost Rates when all other factors are equal.
• Prioritizes Research with Immediate and Long-Term Impact: Proposals need to show
potential for near-term results and groundbreaking innovations.
• Endorses Gold Standard Science (GSS): Applicants are required to adhere to GSS
principles as outlined in EO 14303, and NASA Implementation of Executive Order 14303,
Restoring Gold Standard Science.
This solicitation is authorized by the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water
Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law No:11974).
Relevance to NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement
NASA OSTEM’s focus responds directly to national workforce readiness imperatives with a
specific focus on advancing the aerospace workforce, consistent with the Administration’s
workforce strategy (America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age).
NASA OSTEM designs its STEM engagement and workforce priorities to advance STEM
across the nation through four key pathways (see Figure 1). NASA’s STEM Engagement
function will leverage, internships and student work experiences, competitive grants and
awards, student challenges and competitions, and high school and community college
engagement as mechanisms for cultivating a technically skilled aerospace workforce.
Figure 1. NASA OSTEM’s Workforce Development Focus Areas
NASA investments in STEM engagement are focused on building a future STEM workforce,
through program elements designed to bolster capacity and to attract, engage and enable
students to move toward STEM careers through NASA-unique opportunities. Annually, NASA
OSTEM generates a body of evidence (e.g., performance data, participant data, and metrics)
from award recipients to assess progress towards achieving programmatic goals, objectives, and
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OSTEM performance goals. To learn more about NASA’s efforts to meet its performance
goals, visit the NASA STEM Engagement Impacts website. M-STAR recipients shall provide
performance data, participant data, metrics, highlights, and success stories supporting these
progress measurement efforts.
Research Priorities for NASA Mission Directorates and Centers
By design, M-STAR capitalizes on the unique facilities, capabilities, and staff of MSIs to
contribute to the priorities of NASA’s STMD. Through M-STAR, NASA seeks to strengthen
the leadership capacity of MSIs in areas of priority for NASA STMD and engage students in
authentic learning experiences with NASA staff, content, centers and facilities. NASA’s STMD
has identified 32 Space Shortfalls, information on their priorities or visit
https://www.nasa.gov/spacetechpriorities/.
Roles and Responsibilities of Key Personnel
1. Principal Investigator
Every institution submitting a proposal shall identify a single individual, the PI, who will be
responsible for the quality and direction of the entire proposed effort, for the use of all
awarded funds, and for the timely and complete submission of performance data and reports
to NASA.
The PI shall meet the following criteria at the time the proposal is submitted:
• Eligible MSIs are required to submit a letter of commitment to comply with guidance
provided under Section H, Post-Award Requirements and Administration of this
NOFO, which states that any proposed change to the PI under the cooperative
agreement is subject to prior written NASA approval.
• The PI shall be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member of the MSI lead institution if a
tenure system is established. Eligible institutions without a tenure-track system
must submit a letter of commitment to comply with guidance provided under M-
STAR Recipient Responsibilities that can be found in Section H.
• The PI shall hold a current position at the lead institution in a STEM field, or in another
field directly related to the proposed research.
The PI’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Provides visionary and contemporary leadership for the delivery of high-impact
research and innovative programs.
• Provides overall leadership, administration, implementation, performance data
collection and reporting of the project and its activities.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities for project staff in accordance with the
organization’s policies and applicable state and federal laws.
• Provides day-to-day management of project budgets and ensures that all applicable
institutional and NASA rules, as well as state and federal guidelines, are followed
in utilizing such funding.
• Participates in M-STAR program webinars and meetings.
• Attends one required NASA OSTEM, in-person, meeting annually.
• Coordinates and administers M-STAR data collection, analysis, and reporting of such
data to NASA in alignment with guidance in the approved NASA STEM Gateway
registration/application and performance management system.
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• Accurately reports participant data, demographics, performance metrics, success stories
and achievements of the awardee and sub-recipients, including semiannual and annual
progress reports in alignment with Federal, Agency, and OSTEM performance and
evaluation priorities, guidelines, and requirements.
• Coordinates and plan site visits (i.e., pre-assessment rubric, formal presentations,
student forum, etc.)
• Coordinates intern’s application in NASA’s Gateway system and communication of
student applicants to the M-STAR Management Team (See NOFO Section H Office of
STEM Engagement Performance Metrics).
• Assures submission of peer-reviewed publications and associated data into
NASA’s PubSpace repository.
2. Co-Investigator(s)
A Co-Investigator (Co-I) is a member of the proposal’s investigation team and is a critical
partner for conducting the investigation through the contribution of unique expertise and/or
capabilities. A Co-I must have a well-defined and generally sustained continuing role in the
proposed investigation, serve under the direction of the PI, and may or may not receive
funding through the award. Only an individual who has formally agreed to the role
may participate as a Co-I, even if their participation is at no cost (i.e., contributed) to the
proposal.
Co-Is are not required; however, proposers may include a Co-I from the same
institution as the PI or from a collaborating institution.
• Eligible MSIs proposing a Co-I are required to submit a letter of commitment from the
Co-I to comply with guidance provided under Section 10.6, Statements of
Commitment and Letters of Support in the NASA Grant and Cooperative
Agreement Manual (GCAM). Any proposed change to the Co-I under the cooperative
agreement is subject to prior written NASA approval.
• The Co-I shall be a faculty member at the lead or collaborating institution with a current
position in a STEM field or another field directly related to the proposed research.
• Co-I responsibilities shall be specified by the site and include but are not limited to
assisting the PI in the effective direction and implementation of the M-STAR award.
3. Program Evaluation
An Independent Evaluator (IE) is required, proposals shall provide an approach to measure
project accomplishments against their proposed goal(s) and objectives (see Sections D, F,
Application Review Information, and H, Post-Award Requirements and
Administration of this NOFO). Through program evaluation, NASA identifies evidence
of effective practices of NASA STEM Engagement investments. Evidence is a key criterion
in NASA’s competitive processes for allocating resources and ensuring the most effective
activities are supported. Program evaluations are planned studies using research methods to
collect and analyze data to assess to what extent activities/programs are being implemented
and what, if any, impact can be measured. Evaluations answer specific questions about
performance and may focus on assessing activity/program process and outcomes.
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Effective evaluation models are evidence-based, meaning they are based on verifiable data
and information gathered using the standards of professional research and evaluation
organizations. Such data may be qualitative and/or quantitative. A wide variety of
evaluation designs may be utilized, as well as data collection methods, such as key
informant interviews, surveys, direct observation, or focus group discussions. Regardless,
such data shall pass the tests of reliability and validity, which are different for qualitative
and quantitative data.
NASA sets concrete performance goals and is accountable to those goals through a
framework that measures progress. Objective and verifiable performance metrics, internal
and external review processes, valid and reliable data collection instruments, and evaluation
studies are used to assess progress and performance across the portfolio, including
programs, projects, and activities. NASA utilizes a data management system for analyzing
performance data. To facilitate data input into the system, the M-STAR Activity Manager
will collect performance and evaluation data via required reports (see Section H, Post-
Award Requirements and Administration of this NOFO). In addition, the expected
performance goals, indicators, targets, baseline data, data collection, and other outcomes
that NASA expects to achieve should also be provided. Per 2 CFR 200, in some cases, such
as discretionary research grants, the submission of a Research Performance Progress Report
(RPPR) may be a sufficient performance goal (see 2 CFR 200.1 for a definition of
“performance goal.”).
M-STAR award recipients shall provide and verify performance data for the awarded
activity with the M-STAR Activity Manager. Award recipients may also be required to
respond to data calls and/or participate in future program evaluation data collection efforts
at NASA OSTEM’s request. The M-STAR Activity Manager will provide additional
communications and guidance regarding data calls, future program evaluation efforts, and
timelines. Through performance monitoring, assessment, and evaluation of NASA Office of
STEM Engagement investments, NASA will demonstrate its results-driven management
approach that is focused on optimizing value to the American public.
D. Application Contents and Format
Content and Form of Application Submission
Detailed instructions for the preparation and submission of proposals are available in
the GCAM. Applicants shall submit their proposals using electronic proposal submission via
NSPIRES ONLY. Registration in NSPIRES is required for proposal submission. Proposals
shall be written in Times New Roman, 12-point font with 1-inch margins.
NASA requires the following information be provided in this funding opportunity’s grant
application package:
Required Parts of a Proposal (In Order of Assembly) Page Limit
Proposal Cover Page (NSPIRES web form) including:
• Proposal Summary – limit to 4,000 characters (including spaces)
• NSPIRES cover page budget
Constrained by
NSPIRES
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• Proposal team members
• Data Management Plan (DMP)
• Other required elements
Table of Contents As needed
Management Plan (narrative section)
Including but not limited to:
• Description of the research objectives and work to be conducted.
• A list of specific tasks to be accomplished.
• Description of the relevance of the proposed work to NASA’s
Strategic Goals and Objectives for STEM Engagement.
• Clearly describe how the proposed work advances STMD
research priorities (as outlined in Section C) and supports NASA’s
exploration campaigns, including the Artemis Program and future
human spaceflight missions. Specify the technologies, capabilities,
or outcomes that contribute to sustainable exploration beyond low
Earth orbit.
• Define how the project strengthens the skilled technical workforce
for NASA suppliers and the aerospace industry, using relevant
data or strategic plans. Explain how these efforts align with
NASA’s goals for Artemis and human spaceflight, and include
measurable outcomes such as training programs, certifications, or
industry partnerships.
• A Data Sharing Plan (DSP) describing how information obtained
through M-STAR will be shared, including developing one or
more published technical paper(s)/journal article(s) during the
two-year period of performance and presenting these paper(s)
at appropriate professional conferences, meetings,
and/or workshops.
• Description of the involvement of graduate and
undergraduate researchers.
• Description of equipment to be purchased.
• Description of the plan to develop new courses or degree
programs, if applicable.
• Description of the engagement opportunities with STEM
professionals, including the names, roles, and commitments
of collaborators.
• Description of the authentic STEM activities related to NASA
missions or research (e.g., scientific inquiry experiments/research,
engineering design challenges, and/or technology development
activities) that the students will complete.
• Present an evaluation plan with metrics to assess outcomes,
including a logic model (inputs, strategies, outputs, and
outcomes).
• Proposed number of student internships per year and expected
location of placements (e.g., NASA center or facility, college or
university, or industry).
Not to exceed
15 pages
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• A timeline for all proposed activities with annual and cumulative
milestones mapped to M-STAR objectives and goals.
• A plan for completion of semi-annual and annual reports and
annual NASA Gateway participant count, demographics collection
and validation.
References and Citations As needed
Biographical Sketches for covered individuals
(See Section 10.5 in the GCAM) No limit
Current and Pending (Other) Support for covered individuals
(See Section 10.6 in the GCAM) No limit
Statements of Commitment and Letters of Support (See Section 10.7
GCAM) As needed
Proposal Budget (budget) – both the budget narrative and budget details As needed
Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources As needed
Table of Personnel and Work Effort As needed
Data Management Plan As prescribed
below
Note: NASA does not endorse or require proposers to use any specific source of information
but strongly encourages proposers to use research-based best practices described in peer-reviewed
journals and/or conducted by credible institutions that specialize in STEM education research.
Data Sharing Plan (DSP)
All proposals submitted in response to this NOFO shall include a Data Sharing Plan (DSP)
describing how data and information obtained through M-STAR will be shared. Award
recipients (recipients) shall promptly prepare and submit for publication, with authorship that
accurately reflects the contributions of those involved, all significant findings from work
conducted under the M-STAR Cooperative Agreement. M-STAR recipients shall develop one
or more published paper(s)/journal article(s) during the two years of performance. Priority
should be given to creation of publications created by students or with students listed as first
author. The publication(s) shall be developed to share the novel concepts, innovative models,
and technical information gained through the M-STAR cooperative agreement and may be
published in peer-reviewed or non-refereed sources. M-STAR recipients shall present these
paper(s) at appropriate professional conferences, meetings, and/or workshops. Recipients may
also develop oral or poster presentations using the information generated through this
cooperative agreement. NASA will review each proposer’s DSP during the evaluation/peer
review of proposals. Costs of the DSP, including travel for the PI and up to two additional team
members (e.g., Co-I, graduate student, or other staff) who worked on the project to present
paper(s) at professional conferences, meetings, and/or workshops, shall be included in the
proposed budget. M-STAR recipients shall ensure that all publications developed because of
this cooperative agreement, authored, or co-authored by investigators and sub-recipients, and
funded, in whole or in part by NASA, are submitted to the M-STAR Activity Manager. The
recipient shall also provide a list of these publications with its annual and final reports that are
required to be submitted to the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) and the M-STAR
Activity Manager. All NASA-funded researchers, whether internal or external,
must submit to PubSpace.
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Data Management Plan (DMP)
All proposals submitted under this NOFO are required to submit a Data Management Plan
(DMP) in accordance with the NASA Plan for Increasing Access to the Results of Scientific
Research: at http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/NASA_Data_Plan.pdf.
Data and Evaluation Costs
Per 2 CFR 200.455 costs related to data and evaluation are allowable grant expenditures.
The proposer shall hire an IE in alignment with this solicitation/NOFO (if one is not already
working in partnership with the lead organization), and for the duration of this award. In
addition to other responsibilities each lead organization may require, the IE to complete a
Comprehensive Evaluation Plan (CEP) as well as a Summative Evaluation Report which shall
be completed and provided as part of the Final Report.
Although the CEP is not required as part of the proposal for this solicitation, if selected, it will
be due within 60 calendar days of the start of the period of performance of the award. Proposals
shall provide an approach to measure project accomplishments against their proposed goal(s)
and objectives (see Sections C. Program Description, subsection Program Evaluation, F.
Application Review Information, H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration, and
Section J. Appendix 1 of this NOFO).
Pre-Proposal Webinar, Office Hour, and Questions and Answers
NASA will offer two optional opportunities for potential applicants to seek clarification prior to
the proposal submission deadline: a pre-proposal webinar and office hours. The pre-
proposal webinar will be held on July 9, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET, and office hours will be
available on August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET. These sessions are designed to provide
applicants with the opportunity to ask questions and address any issues related to the
solicitation. Applicants shall refer to the M-STAR landing page on NSPIRES for connection
details.
Proposers shall submit any written questions only to NASAMSTAR@nasaprs.com up to 5
business days prior to the proposal deadline. Those received before office hours and the pre-
proposal webinars may be addressed during the meetings. Prospective proposers may also ask
questions about this opportunity during the webinars. Responses to questions submitted will be
provided in a “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” list that will be posted on the M-STAR
landing page on NSPIRES. The list will be updated frequently during the open period of this
NOFO.
Proposers may also receive technical assistance from project staff at this time, which may
include tips and guidance for proposing for this opportunity. Potential applicants are strongly
encouraged to register early in NSPIRES and sign up for notification emails so they will
receive notice of the office hours and pre-proposal webinar. Refer to the M-STAR landing page
on NSPIRES for FAQs and schedule information.
E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines
FY 2026 M-STAR NOFO
15
How To Request an Application Package
Proposal applications are only available via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated
Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). Hard copy submissions will not be accepted. For
technical assistance with NSPIRES, please contact the NSPIRES Help Desk at nspires-
help@nasaprs.com or (202) 479-9376, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET, except
on Federal Government holidays.
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant for NASA funding (unless the applicant is an individual or is granted an exception
by a Grant Officer utilizing flexibilities in 2 CFR 25.110) is required to follow requirements in 2
CFR 25.200 and 205 which stipulates that applicants must:
• Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting an application;
• Provide its UEI in each application or plan it submits to NASA. UEIs may be obtained
by registering in SAM.gov; and
• Continue to maintain an acti
- Documents
- Title
- FY-2026_MUREP_Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR)
- Title
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) as of July 13, 2026
- Title
- M-STAR 2026 Pre-Proposal Webinar Slides July 9, 2026
- Description
- - The presentation slides from the NASA M-STAR Pre-proposal Webinar have been posted under "Other Documents".
- The recording of the NASA M-STAR Pre-proposal Webinar, held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, is available by clicking "See Details" link below. **Link:** [See Details](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HGrF3gFbuDfUjfMvxi5ZXKRxUSzzIdNd/view?usp=sharing)
- NASA OSTEM will host an Office Hour on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 10:00am ET. This will serve as the final opportunity to learn about the NASA M-STAR NOFO as well as an opportunity to submit questions prior to the proposal deadline. To maximize the value of this session, attendees are encouraged to review the full NOFO and Pre-proposal webinar slides/recording. REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. Click "See Details" link to join. **Link:** [See Details](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ODFjMzhiOTMtYzBiZC00YTg0LThmNjUtZmY5YWRmMWIyNTE3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%227005d458-45be-48ae-8140-d43da96dd17b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ccaf4b28-d226-4675-a25d-d418a05c6de6%22%7d)
- The deadline to submit questions for the M-STAR 2026 NOFO Office Hour is July 28, 2026. Questions should be sent to NASAMSTAR@nasaprs.com. The NASA M-STAR Team will do their best to respond as soon as possible and anticipate responses no later than August 7, 2026.
- Directorate
- Office of STEM Engagement
- File Excerpt
- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) Office of STEM Engagement Fiscal Year 2026 Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: NNH26ZHA002C ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 43.008 ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement of this funding opportunity ISSUED DATE: June 11, 2026 KEY DATES NOFO Released June 11, 2026 Proposals Due August 11, 2026, 11:59 pm ET Pre-Proposal Webinar (Optional) July 9, 2026, 3 p.m. ET (DATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE) Check M-STAR landing page for details Pre-Proposal Office Hours (Optional) August 4, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
- Release Date
- Jun 11, 2026
- Contact Email
- nasamstar@nasaprs.com
- Contact Phone
- (202) 479-9376
- Proposals Due
- Aug 11, 2026
