Terri Sindelar
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/453-8400)                             July 22, 
1992 

RELEASE:  92-122
SPACE GRANT COLLEGES EXPAND NATIONWIDE 

     NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin announced a major 
milestone for aerospace education by expanding the National 
Space Grant College and Fellowship Program to include all 50 
states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
 
     "Today marks the completion as well as a beginning to one 
of NASA's largest education initiatives.  The five new members 
of the Space Grant College program represent a goal to have a 
nationwide network of universities conducting aerospace 
studies," said Goldin.  "The consortia will have a very 
significant impact on strengthening aerospace research 
infrastructures and in educating our future scientists and 
engineers."

     The addition of Kentucky, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, Vermont 
and Wyoming, along with their 26 colleges and universities, 
brings the total number of participating institutions to more 
than 320 nationwide.

     The Space Grant Program offers states the opportunity to 
receive grants to further projects in aeronautics, space and 
related fields.  The states will receive an initial 3-year 
grant of at least $150,000 per year to implement programs 
aimed at strengthening their research capabilities in 
aerospace and related science, engineering and technology.  A 
portion of the grant is for fellowships to promising 
undergraduate and graduate students, with emphasis on 
recruiting and retaining women, underrepresented minorities 
and the disabled in the aerospace fields.

     Authorized by Congress in 1987, the National Space Grant 
College and Fellowship Program has been building state 
membership since 1989. 
The objectives are to establish a national network of 
universities with interests and capabilities in aeronautics, 
space and related fields; to encourage cooperative programs 
among universities, aerospace industry and federal, state and 
local governments; to encourage interdisciplinary training, 
research and public-service programs related to aerospace; to 
recruit and train professionals, especially women, 
underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities, for 
careers in aerospace science and technology; and to promote a 
strong science, math and technology education base from 
elementary through university levels.

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