MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) Awards

MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) Awards is sponsored by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of STEM Engagement. NASA's Office of STEM Engagement's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) is seeking proposals from minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to promote research collaboration with NASA mission directorates.

Funding supports teams from universities, colleges, and community colleges designated as MSIs to develop innovative ideas and action plans for commercialization.

MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification 2026 | HeroX MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification 2026 MPLAN prizes provide resources to MSIs to further develop ideas, facilitate research and development, and engage stakeholders.

Multiple planned prizes of up to $50,000 Mission Directorate Topics NASA is soliciting research proposals that fall within the 2026 topic areas that represent a subset of pertinent mission areas for NASA. In Phase 1 , Principal Investigator (PI) submits a proposal to one of the topic areas by May 22, 2026.

In Phase 2 , NASA facilitates communication and meetings between Phase 1 prize recipients, Mission Directorate representatives, and subject matter experts. Selected PIs and their partners (if applicable) will have the opportunity to participate in a kickoff meeting, a two-day in-person workshop, engage monthly with NASA researchers, identify opportunities with NASA, and network with other PIs.

These sessions are expected to occur between August and December 2026. It is highly encouraged that prize recipients participate in Phase 2 meetings to exchange information and receive the full benefits of this program. NASA connects the public to the agency’s missions and explores creative possibilities for addressing the agency’s needs through prizes, challenges, and crowdsourcing opportunities.

NASA MPLAN prize provide resources to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to further develop ideas, facilitate research and development, and engage stakeholders. Successful proposals result in prizes with a maximum amount of $50,000.

NASA intends for prize recipients to utilize their MPLAN prize funds for various purposes such as staff support, student experiences, professional development, travel, meetings, focus groups, research, evaluation, consultants, specialized resources, technical expertise, and support needed to develop and implement proposed strategies and approaches. NASA MPLAN will provide support in Phase 2 through December 31, 2026.

These prizes are not grants or cooperative agreements, and time extensions are not applicable. Prizes are anticipated to be dispersed to MSIs within 45 days of the winner announcement, pending the on-time submission of the documents by the MSI. MSIs may propose to any of the topics found here .

Roles and Responsibilities Principal Investigators are primarily responsible for implementing, operating, and managing the project as described in their original proposal. While not required, appointing a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) is optional (In the event the primary PI leaves the institution, providing a co-PI allows the funding to remain with the project within the institution).

If a co-PI is designated, provide their name, role, and email address in the submission form. The PI should consider taking on some or all of the following tasks: Leading, administering, and evaluating the project and its activities. Collaborating with university leadership to promote advancement in engineering.

Supervising project staff and ensuring compliance with policies and laws. Using research-based best practices for the project. Managing project budgets and complying with funding guidelines.

Participating in meetings and delivering progress reports in a timely manner. Participating in performance assessment and evaluation activities aligned with the federal government's priorities. Note: While a co-PI is optional, designating one can ensure project continuity if the primary PI departs the institution.

Each proposal must include a completed submission form and budget . Do not include proprietary information within proposals. Proposals should include information that can be made publicly available without compromising any intellectual property or proprietary rights.

Proposals should be written at a conceptual big picture level, focusing on the overall goals and objectives of the prize as detailed in the submission form: Address of primary campus of institution. Name and email of Principal Investigator and their role at the institution. Optional: name, role, and email of co-PI.

Optional: name and role of any other key participants from the MSI, including their level of support in the planning effort. Zip folder containing the curriculum vitaes (CVs) of the PI and, if applicable, CVs of any other key participants from the MSI. 2.

Team Members and Partners There is no limit to your number of team members/partners, however, beyond the Principal Investigator, you may provide information for only up to 5 additional team members/partners. NASA Civil Servants shall not collaborate with applicants nor assist in writing their proposals. This is a conflict of interest, and strictly prohibited.

Team members and partners are optional, Role: select one of Co-Principal Investigator, Small Business Concern/Partner, Other University Team Member, or Other Partner (not small business). Partner capabilities (CV, capabilities statement, etc. PDF upload) Topic selection: select one topic from the list here . Intended or desired start date of the proposed project or activity (after August 9, 2026).

Completion date of the proposed project or activity (there is no set period of performance for the funds; however, we recommend a proposal end date on or around December 2026 to correspond with the end date of NASA support). Total amount of funds needed for the proposed project or activity, including all anticipated expenses and costs.

Executive summary: High level overview of the proposed technology or activity, including the problem being addressed. (Max 1200 characters). Project objectives: What are the desired outcomes of your project or activity?

(Max 1200 characters). Approach to Research/Technical Innovation: A description of the proposed technology or activity, the degree of innovativeness, potential approaches to developing the technology, and key risks and mitigation strategies. (Max 2700 characters.)

Potential Applications to NASA: Potential NASA applications or missions which might benefit from developed technology, potential commercialization opportunities. (Max 1300 characters.) Attach a completed budget for your proposed project or activity, using the budget template.

Optional: Background and literature review: A review of the work done in the field, emphasizing the problem and attempts to tackle it. (Max 2000 characters.) Submit a budget using the budget template (view a sample budget here ).

Budget details are provided to allow for assessment of the type of skills/expertise engaged in this effort and the number of hours committed. Use of Government facilities or contracted technical support should not be included in the budget submission. At least 50% of the budget must go to the MSI.

Proposed projects should not begin until August 9, 2026. The budget requested for this prize cannot exceed $50,000. Budget proposals must cover activities through December 31, 2026.

Consider allocating funds for travel for up to two in-person meetings, within the United States, as there may be opportunities to engage with your Mission Directorate cohort. As this is a prize and not a grant, no indirect costs should be included in the budget. Materials and supplies budget should not exceed 10% of the total budget.

Phase 1: Open for submissions: March 16, 2026 Pre-proposal information session: April 14, at 1:00 p. m. CT Submission deadline: May 22, 2026, 10:59 p.

m. CT Selection Announcement: July 2025 Phase 2: July 2026 - December 2026 (6 months) Kickoff Meeting: August 13, 2026, 1 p. m.

CT Cohort meeting/ SME session 1: August 20, 2026, 1 p. m. CT Cohort meeting/SME session 2: September 17, 2026, 1 p.

m. CT Cohort meeting/SME session 3: October 15, 2026, 1 p. m.

CT Cohort meeting /SME session 4: November 19, 2026, 1 p. m. CT Cohort meeting/Close out session: December 17, 2026, 1 p.

m. CT NASA selects proposals that offer the most advantageous research and development (R&D), deliver technological innovation that contributes to NASA’s missions, provides societal benefit, and grows the U.S. economy. In evaluating proposals, NASA prioritizes the scientific and technical merit of the proposal, as well as its feasibility and potential benefit to NASA's interests (as described in the judging criteria below).

Each proposal is evaluated and scored on its own merit using the evaluation factors described below: Section Description Overall Weight Scientific/Technical Merit Evaluation of proposed R&D effort on innovative and feasible technical approach to NASA problem area. Demonstration of relevance to one or more NASA missions and/or programmatic needs.

Clear presentation of specific objectives, approaches, and plans for developing and verifying innovation. Demonstration of clear understanding of the problem and current state of the art. Assessment of understanding and significance of risks involved in the proposed innovation.

50% Experience, Qualifications, and Facilities Evaluation of technical capabilities and experience of Principal Investigator (PI), project manager, key personnel, staff, consultants, and subcontractors. Assessment of consistency between research effort and level of support from involved parties. Demonstration of adequate instrumentation or facilities required for the project.

Detailed consideration of any reliance on external sources, such as Government-furnished equipment or facilities. 25% Feasibility & Reasonableness Evaluation of whether the proposed plan, schedule, and budget is appropriate for the project/activity 25% Mission Directorate Topics REMINDER: NASA MPLAN 2026 Pre-Proposal Information Session starts in two hours! April 14, 2026, 8:30 a.

m. PDT by Lulu The NASA MPLAN 2026 Pre-Proposal Information Session starts in two hours! When: Today, Apr 14th at 2:00 PM ET What: Join HeroX and NASA for an introduction to the MPLAN 2026 Challenge and a live Q&A!

​ April 13, 2026, 5 a. m. PDT by Lulu The NASA MPLAN 2026 Challenge Information Session is just a day away!

Join HeroX and NASA for a live webinar where you have an opportunity to ask your questions! You won't want to miss this opportunity to get the inside scoop on the MPLAN 2026 Challenge! Time: April 14 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Information Session in 2 Days!

April 12, 2026, 5 a. m. PDT by Lulu This Tuesday, join HeroX and NASA for a live webinar where you have an opportunity to ask your questions!

You won't want to miss this opportunity to get the inside scoop on the MPLAN 2026 Challenge! Time: April 14 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Teamwork makes the Dream Work April 7, 2026, 5 a. m.

PDT by Lulu Have you thought about forming a team to compete in the MPLAN 2025 Challenge? At this point in the challenge, it’s normal to start feeling a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps you’ve hit a roadblock, or you’re noticing the gaps in your own skillset.

Forming a team is a great way to overcome these hurdles. It will take time to form a team, so start reaching out to people now. You can connect with people in the forum, or you can browse the whole HeroX community by specialization at https://herox.

com/crowdsourcing-community. 1. Keep each other accountable We all know that deadlines are tough, and it’s especially difficult to commit to a schedule by yourself.

Creating checkpoints and milestones with your team members will help you keep each other on track. Everyone’s got a different set of skills. Have a great idea for a project, but need someone to help make it a reality?

Got an innovative technical idea, but need help pulling it into an overall project? You need a team! You can share expertise and specialized knowledge with your teammates.

You’ll learn a ton, and your project will be all the better for it. Why do all the work yourself? Divide and conquer the workload to save time and ease burnout.

If you have an off week, your team can pick up the slack — and vice versa. Your team will be by your side through all the highs and lows of the process, and they will make it all the more fun. This is also a great way to meet people with a shared set of interests.

Just think, these may be your new best buds. Register for the NASA MPLAN 2026 Pre-Proposal Information Session! March 31, 2026, 5 a.

m. PDT by Lulu Interested in learning more about NASA MPLAN 2026? Then register HERE to join us next Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time for a live pre-proposal webinar with NASA and HeroX about MPLAN 2026.

We will hear directly from the MPLAN team and the mission directorates who have sponsored topic areas for this year's cohort. You won't want to miss this opportunity to get the inside scoop on the MPLAN 2026 Challenge! Time: April 14 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)