NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 

 ADMINISTRATION (NASA) PERSPECTIVE 



General Description of Current Relationship: 



There is no monolithic university "program" at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In- 

 stead, it is an aggregate program made up of a variety of relationships. 



Research is a cornerstone of NASA's relationship with universities. NASA missions rely heavily on basic and 

 applied research from the university community in space science and aerospace technology. The universities in- 

 volved in such research, in turn, look to NASA to help maintain the health of aeronautics and space-related dis- 

 ciplines. 



In FY 1991, NASA awarded $595,426,000 to approximately 330 U.S. colleges and universities (this amount ex- 

 cludes the award to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory). 

 This figure represents hundreds of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded to colleges and universities 

 around the country in award sizes ranging from several thousand to several million dollars. 



Education is another key component of the program. NASA and the aeronautics and space communities rely on 

 the pipeline of students produced by the various university departments to fill the Nation's staffing needs. The 

 universities, in turn, rely on NASA for fellowship opportunities for students and faculty that provide critical financial 

 support, valuable research experience, and potential contacts for a continuing research relationship. 



In addition to research and education, the university program also includes an advisory role for individuals 

 within the university community. Frequently members of the university community participate in peer review ac- 

 tivities and serve on advisory committees and panels for the agency. NASA, in turn, makes individuals available as 

 course lecturers, speakers, and mentors as the need arises. 



The NASA/university relationship is a vital one that, in its aggregate form, is mutually beneficial. 



Public Benefit(s) from Research-Intensive Universities/Federal Government Relationship: 



The benefits from this relationship are many. Universities develop and train the future scientific and technical 

 work force that NASA needs to stay on the cutting edge of aerospace-related technology. Universities also provide a 

 significant amount of the research needed by the agency to conduct its scientific missions. NASA provides funding to 

 support both the actual research and the research infrastructure within the universities and makes available first class 

 research facilities that are not cost effective for universities to build and maintain. 



NASA Expectations/Requirements From Relationship with Universities: 



The university community has been a critical partner in NASA's mission since the agency's beginning. NASA 

 looks to universities to develop and nurture the expertise the nation needs for current and emerging science and tech- 

 nology research. This expertise should be available in a cadre of principal investigators who will add to our 

 knowledge base through research and in a student body who will be trained to supply the country with the skills 

 needed for the future. Faculty and students should reflect successful efforts at gender and ethnic diversity. 



To keep this partnership viable, NASA has an obligation to the health of these institutions. Thus in furtherance 

 of this mutually beneficial partnership, NASA has established the following policies and guidelines in regard to 

 universities. They are documented in NASA Management Instructions (NMI) 8320. IC, most recently revised in 

 December, 1990 and 1 392. IB signed December 31, 1991. 



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