2018: Appendix E Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) for Sustainability and Innovation Collaborative – (MUSIC)
🏛 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and non-profit organizations that partner with MSIs to advance STEM research and education. Eligible applicants include accredited MSIs in the United States and their non-profit partners working on collaborative projects. Awards support institutional capacity building, STEM research development, and connections between MSIs and NASA opportunities. Projects must align with NASA research priorities and demonstrate sustainability goals.
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Program description
Awards will be made as cooperative agreements to accredited Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) partnered with non-profit organizations in the United States that are eligible to apply for this NASA Research Announcement (NRA). The period of performance for an award is up to 2 years. Prospective proposers are requested to submit any questions in writing to NASAMUSIC@nasaprs.com no later than 10 business days before the proposal due date so that NASA will have sufficient time to respond. Proposers to this NRA are required to have the following, no later than the due date: 1) a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number,
2) a valid registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) [formerly known as the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)], 3) a valid Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE) Code, 4) a valid registration with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (this also applies to any entities proposed for sub-awards or subcontracts.) Consult Appendix H Section H.3.1 for more eligibility information.
Consult Appendix H Section 2.2 regarding teaming requirements and partnership guidelines.
The goal of NASA MUSIC is: to provide strategic effort that will leverage research and contract relationships of MSIs and NASA through relationships developed by non-profit organizations that may include collaboration of subject matter experts and access to NASA research facilities; An effort to improve STEM education and research at MSIs; A funded activity that seeks to build institutional capacity of MSIs; An activity to support long-term sustainability of STEM research at MSIs. MUSIC seeks to address the agency goals and objectives through: Increasing the institutional awareness of NASA competitive resources that can build the capacity of MSIs to offer and conduct STEM undergraduate and graduate research with a focus on NASA opportunities. Assembling MSIs and their stakeholders with common interests, and challenges then provide common tools for MSIs to increase efficiency and optimize resources including opportunities to develop formal and informal partnerships. Connecting MSI administrators and university STEM leaders to cutting-edge initiatives at NASA that can increase interest in securing research and contracting opportunities while supporting NASA’s policy to achieve an Agency-wide goal of providing one percent of total contract value of prime and subcontracting awards to MSIs. https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/1826.htm
To achieve these goals, MUSIC seeks to increase university program capacity about practical uses of research to drive institution sustainability through the following targets: Advance the understanding of MSIs on how to effectively develop institutional administrative support by competing at the university level for funding opportunities, which will result in successful application to, and management of these funding opportunities (including those at NASA). Extend MSI’s capabilities by: A. Leveraging the MSIs research capabilities with NASA research to develop Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) projects that develop and demonstrate innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs and have significant potential for successful commercialization. B. Increasing the preparation of undergraduate and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty with opportunities to participate with NASA researchers and missions through grants and contracts. To achieve these goals and objectives, NASA solicits proposals from MSIs to implement the NASA MUSIC; to engage MSIs in authentic STEM experiences related to NASA missions; and to inspire and captivate learners utilizing NASA’s unique assets to develop a keen interest in STEM. Every institution that intends to submit a proposal to this NRA, including the proposed prime award or any partner whether an education institution, other non-profit institutions, and other organizations that will serve as sub-awardees or contractors, must be registered in NSPIRES. Electronic submission of proposals is required by the due date and must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal. All principal investigators and other participants (e.g. co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of submission system. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) of interest to familiarize themselves with its structure and enter the requested information. Electronic proposals may be submitted via the NASA proposal data system NSPIRES or via Grants.gov. Organizations that intend to submit proposals via Grants.gov must be registered 1) with Grants.gov and 2) with NSPIRES. Additional programmatic information for this NRA may develop before the proposal due date. If so, such information will be added as a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) or formal amendment to this NRA and posted on http://nspires.nasaprs.com. It is the proposer’s responsibility to regularly check NSPIRES for updates to this NRA.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- DUNS number
- SAM registration
- CAGE Code
- NSPIRES registration
- Project proposal/narrative
- Budget and budget narrative
- Institutional letters of support
- Partnership agreements
Program contact
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 43.008 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$156,725,920
-
$127,431,525
-
$29,940,284
-
$24,155,260
-
$20,929,410
-
$9,011,077
-
$8,970,242
-
$6,944,970
-
$6,203,240
-
$5,185,194
Top States by Funding
- AL 2 awards $161.0M
- VA 3 awards $133.9M
- MD 7 awards $78.3M
- OK 4 awards $41.2M
- TX 4 awards $15.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 43.008). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $25,293,802 | |
| 2025 | $29,010,174 | |
| 2026 est. | $34,280,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Accredited Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) partnered with non-profit organizations. Both entities must be registered in SAM and have valid DUNS, CAGE codes, and NSPIRES accounts.
What is the award amount and project duration?
Awards go up to $450,000 for projects up to 2 years in length. No cost-sharing is required.
What activities are supported?
STEM research capacity building, institutional partnerships with NASA, development of SBIR/STTR projects, and undergraduate/graduate research opportunities tied to NASA missions.
Is there a Letter of Intent required?
The description does not specify an LOI requirement. Contact NASAMUSIC@nasaprs.com with questions at least 10 business days before the deadline.
How competitive is this funding?
$900,000 in total funding is available. Proposals should demonstrate clear institutional capacity goals and concrete connections to NASA research or innovation priorities.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish a strong partnership structure early. Non-profit partners should have clear experience supporting MSIs and documented relationships with prospective institutions.
- Connect your proposal directly to NASA priorities. Show how your STEM initiatives align with current NASA missions and research areas.
- Document institutional capacity goals with measurable outcomes. Specify how funding will build long-term research infrastructure and sustainability at your MSI.
- Address administrative readiness. Demonstrate that your institution has proper systems for grant management, compliance, and reporting to NASA.
- Highlight SBIR/STTR potential if applicable. Show how research projects can lead to commercializable innovations that meet NASA needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting without proper registration in SAM, DUNS, CAGE, and NSPIRES; failing to demonstrate how the project builds lasting institutional capacity beyond the award period; partnering with organizations lacking genuine MSI support experience or infrastructure.
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