NASA in Maryland

Five-year agreement to advance student involvement

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the University System of Maryland (USM) have signed a landmark five-year Non-Reimbursable Space Act Umbrella Agreement to advance student-led innovation across the technologies that could support long-term human presence in space, per a joint press release.

The agreement is among the first of its kind between NASA and an entire state university system centered specifically on student entrepreneurship and venture creation.

Building on the University of Maryland xFoundry’s close collaboration with NASA in 2025, the new framework formalizes engagement between NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and all 12 USM institutions, along with its three regional higher education centers and the system office.

Through this partnership, more than 175,000 students statewide will gain structured access to work directly with NASA, gaining the opportunity to advance technologies supporting future lunar and Mars missions, as well as the broader industries required for sustainable space habitation.