yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (02/07/91)
Terri Sindelar
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. February 6, 1991
(Phone: 202/453-8400) Embargoed until 2 p.m. ET
RELEASE: 91-19
TWENTY-SIX SPACE GRANT STATE CONSORTIA SELECTED
NASA today announced the selection of 26 Space Grant State
Consortia, resulting from the Phase II competition of the
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. These newly
selected consortia represent 132 colleges, universities and
industrial partners, bringing the total number of participating
institutions to more than 300 in 46 states and the District of
Columbia.
In keeping with the Space Grant objective to form a national
network of universities with interests and capabilities in
aeronautics, space and related fields, Phase II geographically
broadens participation and includes institutions with modest
aerospace activity as well as institutions with substantial NASA
involvement. Phase II - the Space Grant State Consortia - offers
previously non-designated states the opportunity to receive
either Space Grant Program Grants or Capability Enhancement
Grants.
Space Grant Program Grants were targeted to states with
colleges and universities involved in nationally competitive
aerospace research and educational programs. The 4-year,
$150,000-per-year grant will be used to initiate new programs and
strengthen existing capabilities.
The 14 recipients of program grants are Alaska, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon,
Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
Capability Enhancement Grants were targeted to states with
limited aerospace activity. The 4-year, $150,000 annual grant
will be used to enhance aerospace research and education
infrastructure. The 12 recipients are Arkansas, Connecticut,
Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia.
Both grants require partial matching non-federal funds and
will be used in part to sponsor fellowship programs for both
undergraduate and graduate students. Interested educational
institutions collaborated and submitted one proposal per state.
The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program was
authorized by Congress to help strengthen and enhance, through
the nation's universities, U.S. capabilities in aerospace science
and technology.
In 1989, NASA implemented Phase I of the program by
selecting 21 universities and consortia with notable capabilities
in aerospace research, education and public service as Designated
Space Grant Colleges and Consortia.
NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly said, "The 21 designated
consortia along with the newly selected 26 state consortia
encompass over 300 colleges, universities, nonprofit
organizations, industry, national laboratories and state
governments, and together will have a significant educational
impact throughout the nation. NASA and the aerospace community
are committed to cooperative, measurable and long-term
improvements in the nation's math and science education."
Objectives of the program are: to establish a national
network of universities with interests and capabilities in
aeronautics, space and related fields; to encourage cooperative
programs among universities, aerospace industry and federal,
state and local governments; to encourage interdisciplinary
training, research and public-service programs related to
aerospace; to recruit and train professionals, especially women,
underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities, for
careers in aerospace science and technology; and to promote a
strong science, mathematics and technology education base from
elementary through university levels.
A list of consortium institutions can be obtained by phoning
the NASA Headquarters Newsroom on 202/453-8400.
- end -
NOTE TO EDITORS: News media are invited to attend the second
National Space Grant Conference, March 11-15, at the University
of Alabama, Huntsville. Representatives from the 47 Space Grant
State Consortia will participate.