Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
tracy.g.young@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 10-158

NASA AWARDS SPACE GRANT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The National Space Grant Foundation is the
recipient of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD)
Space Grant Cooperative Agreement.

The agreement began July 1, 2010 and runs until June 30, 2013. The
$1.8 million award will be used for ESMD Space Grant internships,
senior design projects, faculty fellowships, faculty workshops,
course developments and student competitions.

The program is designed to encourage college students to pursue
careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also
known as STEM. It is part of NASA's education strategy to attract and
retain students in STEM disciplines.

Formed in 2006, the ESMD Space Grant project has provided
opportunities for students and faculty through individual grants to
each of the 52 Space Grant Consortia. The agreement will enable a
more efficient and streamlined process for NASA and the Consortia.

The National Space Grant Foundation supports the Space Grant Consortia
in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico by
implementing education, research, and public outreach activities in
STEM and additional fields, related to space, aeronautics, aviation,
and Earth systems science.

For more information about the National Space Grant Foundation, visit:

http://www.spacegrant.org/

For information on NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education