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Space Grant program extension, funding increase
The Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium, headquartered at the University of Washington, received lofty marks in a nationwide evaluation and has been extended for another five years.
In NASA’s Tenth-Year Review of Space Grant programs nationally, the Washington consortium was ranked fourth, nine spots higher than its ranking following the Fifth-Year Review. The program received a 90.6 overall score (out of 100 points possible), compared to the national mean of 82.3. As a result, the local program will receive a 2.5 percent increase in NASA funding each of the next two years.
“We decided to do something special with the funding, so we are exploring ideas for public/educational events related to space science,” said director Janice DeCosmo, a research assistant professor of geophysics.
Washington Space Grant currently receives an annual NASA grant of $432,000, so the additional cash award will amount to nearly $11,000 a year. With matching funds, the program’s overall annual budget is about $1.2 million.
The program, which emphasizes undergraduate research opportunities, was cited in several areas, including:
Space Grant’s self-described mission is to further science, mathematics and technology education, and aerospace science and engineering research for Washington citizens of all ages and backgrounds.
Besides the UW, consortium members are the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Central Community College, Washington State University, the Museum of Flight, Northwest Indian College and the North Central Educational Service District.
NASA established the Space Grant program in 1989. Through the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, NASA pioneered a new approach to education dedicated to ensuring the nation’s future in aerospace science and technology. The UW was one of the first Space Grant universities in the country, and currently there are 52 independent Space Grant consortia administering programs in research, education and public service. ¶