Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH26ZHA002C MSTAR
The Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) is a NASA funding opportunity run through the agency's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) to expand and strengthen the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in space exploration-related research and education. The program is framed around building a stronger, more inclusive pipeline of research capability and STEM talent connected to NASA's Artemis-era technology needs, with an emphasis on growing institutional capacity and involvement in future exploration efforts.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NNH26ZHA002C, titled "Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR)") is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement. That structure typically signals substantial involvement by NASA during the period of performance, meaning awardees should expect active collaboration, coordination, or technical engagement with the agency rather than a fully hands-off grant model. The funding activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 43.008.
Eligibility is tightly defined. Applicants must be a two-year or four-year college or university that is officially designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an HBCU, TCU, or MSI at the time the proposal is submitted. NASA points applicants to the MSI eligibility listing at https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/msilist, and the requirement applies across public, state-controlled, and private institutions as long as they are included on the official list when they apply. A key compliance point is that proposals from institutions that are not listed as HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs at submission will be returned without review, so an institution's status at the time of submission is a go/no-go gate for consideration. Institutions that do not meet the eligibility definition are encouraged to participate by partnering with an eligible HBCU, TCU, or MSI rather than applying directly.
From a funding and timeline perspective, NASA expects to make about 12 awards under this solicitation. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, which indicates the maximum amount available per award under the stated terms. The original closing date for proposal submission is August 11, 2026, and the opportunity was created on June 12, 2026. Overall, M-STAR is positioned as a capacity-building and research engagement mechanism that connects eligible minority-serving institutions to NASA's space technology and Artemis-aligned priorities, while using a cooperative agreement approach to keep NASA involved as projects move from proposal to execution.Apply for NNH26ZHA002C MSTAR
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR)" 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 2026-06-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-11. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) opportunity?
M-STAR is a NASA funding opportunity under the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), run through NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). It is designed to expand and strengthen the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in space exploration-related research and education, with a focus on Artemis-era space technology needs and long-term institutional capacity building.
Which NASA office runs this program?
The opportunity is run through NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM).
What is the official title and Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The official title is "Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is NNH26ZHA002C.
What type of award is this (grant, contract, or something else)?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial involvement by NASA during the period of performance. Awardees should expect active collaboration, coordination, or technical engagement with NASA rather than a fully hands-off grant model.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development.
What is the CFDA number associated with M-STAR?
The CFDA number associated with the program is 43.008.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be a two-year or four-year college or university that is officially designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an HBCU, TCU, or MSI at the time the proposal is submitted.
Do public or private institutions qualify?
Yes. The eligibility requirement applies across public, state-controlled, and private institutions, as long as the institution is included on the official HBCU/TCU/MSI listing at the time of submission.
How can an institution verify MSI eligibility for NASA purposes?
NASA points applicants to the MSI eligibility listing at https://msiexchange.nasa.gov/msilist.
How strict is the eligibility requirement?
It is a strict gate for consideration. Proposals from institutions that are not listed as HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs at the time of submission will be returned without review.
What happens if an institution is not designated as an HBCU, TCU, or MSI when it submits?
If the institution is not on the official list at submission, the proposal will be returned without review.
Can an ineligible institution participate in some way?
Yes. Institutions that do not meet the eligibility definition are encouraged to participate by partnering with an eligible HBCU, TCU, or MSI rather than applying directly.
About how many awards does NASA expect to make?
NASA expects to make about 12 awards under this solicitation.
What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000, which indicates the maximum amount available per award under the stated terms.
When is the proposal submission deadline?
The original closing date for proposal submission is August 11, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 12, 2026.
What is the main purpose or focus of M-STAR?
M-STAR is positioned as a capacity-building and research engagement mechanism that connects eligible HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs to NASA's space technology priorities aligned with the Artemis era, while supporting a stronger and more inclusive pipeline of research capability and STEM talent.
Is this opportunity tied to NASA's Artemis efforts?
Yes. The program is framed around Artemis-era technology needs and involvement in future exploration efforts.
Should applicants expect NASA to be involved during project execution?
Yes. Because it is a cooperative agreement, NASA involvement during the period of performance is expected, including collaboration, coordination, or technical engagement.
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