Overview
NASA In Kansas
NASA EPSCoR Program
Public Law 102-58, passed in 1992, initiated the NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to strengthen the research capability of jurisdictions that have not in the past participated equably in competitive aerospace research activities.
The goal of NASA EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable jurisdictions to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research. This capability will, in turn, contribute to the jurisdiction’s economic viability and expand the nation’s base for aerospace research and development. Since its inception, NASA EPSCoR has been closely linked to the NASA Space Grant Program.
Based on the availability of funding, NASA will continue to help jurisdictions achieve these goals through the NASA EPSCoR program. Funded jurisdictions will be selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition.
The following are the specific objectives of the NASA EPSCoR program:
- Contribute to and promote the development of research infrastructure in NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions in areas of strategic importance to the NASA mission;
- Improve the capabilities of the NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions to gain support from sources outside the NASA EPSCoR program;
- Develop partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions, and industry;
- Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and/or economic development of the jurisdiction; and
- Work in close coordination with the NASA Space Grant program to improve the environment for science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education in the jurisdiction.
Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program
The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program (KNEP) includes participants from state universities, government, and industry. Over the years, KNEP successfully created lasting opportunities for many university faculty and, perhaps most importantly, students. Via EPSCOR funding, researchers establish expertise and capabilities in areas important to both NASA and Kansas. Furthermore, strong professional relationships with NASA and industry are formed, yielding immediate and lasting benefits for all involved.
The KNEP leadership, by consensus, has defined the following program goals:
- Provide platforms and opportunities for enhanced academic Research and Development (R&D) competitiveness
- Establish plans for generation of sustained non-EPSCoR support
- Maintain a plan/process to document outcomes and demonstrate progress
- Work in partnership with the NASA Space Grant to support Kansas workforce development
Furthermore, KNEP has defined the following objectives:
“To catalyze and support multi-generational, self-sustaining, and nationally competitive research teams that support NASA’s mission and Kansas’ technical and economic development”
Merging common Kansas and NASA interests is critical to KNEP.
Kansas Strategic Interests
State funded, independent, non-partisan, organizations (e.g., “Kansas, Inc.” and “Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation”) develop the Kansas Strategic Plan. Current technology related focus areas in Kansas include:
- Aeronautics
- Advanced Materials
- Work force development
- Telecommunications and Information Management
- Biotechnology
- Manufacturing Technology
- Energy
The Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC) plays a critical role for the Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program. KTEC is chartered and funded by the State of Kansas for the purpose of making Kansas a leading location for high technology companies to flourish. KTEC’s mission is to:
“create and support Kansas enterprises through technological innovation and commercialization.”
Besides strategic guidance, KTEC regularly provides significant real dollar matching funds for all EPSCoR programs, including KNEP.
NASA Strategic Interests
The Vision for Space Exploration defines NASA’s Strategic Goals for the period 2006 through 2016 (visit www.nasa.gov). The 2006 Strategic Plan establishes the framework to advance NASA’s unique competencies in scientific and engineering systems to fulfill the Agency’s purpose and achieve the NASA Mission:
“To pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.”
NASA Education Goals
NASA will continue the Agency’s tradition of investing in the Nation’s education programs and supporting the country’s educators who play a key role in preparing, inspiring, exciting, encouraging, and nurturing the young minds of today who will manage and lead the Nation’s laboratories and research centers of tomorrow.
A highly-educated and well-prepared workforce has been and continues to be critical to the success of the Agency’s mission. NASA’s investment in education is directly linked to inspiring the next generation of explorers and innovators.
The NASA Education portfolio is guided by three Outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Contribute to the development of the STEM workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s strategic goal through a portfolio of investments.
- Outcome 2: Attract and retain students in STEM disciplines through a progression of educational opportunities for students, teachers, and faculty.
- Outcome 3: Build strategic partnerships and linkages between STEM formal and informal education providers that promote STEM literacy and awareness of NASA’s mission.
Outcome 1 of the NASA Education portfolio includes five objectives. The NASA EPSCoR contributes to the accomplishment of two of these objectives:
- Objective 1.1 - Faculty and Research Support: Provide NASA competency-building education and research opportunities for faculty, researchers, and post-doctoral fellows.
- Objective 1.5 - Targeted Institution Research and Academic Infrastructure: Improve the ability of targeted institutions to compete for NASA research and development work.
Relevant Reference Documents
For additional information on the background, purpose, intent, and scope, refer to the following:
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