USRA was founded in 1969 at the urging of the National Academy of Sciences and with the encouragement of NASA. At that time, university engagement in space research was still in its early stages. The NAS and NASA wanted an association that they could turn to for assistance in organizing the university research community, energizing it to achieve scientific goals, and assuring all universities equal access to the scientific facilities and instruments NASA was planning to develop. Over our 40-year history, USRA has served that purpose consistently and with distinction.
Access to Funding
USRA identifies funded research opportunities and disseminates invitations to participate in variety of scientific committees and working groups. USRA member universities are provided access to these opportunities through participation in partnerships developed by USRA among our member universities, industry, and other entities to meet the needs of NASA and U.S. government and other sponsors. Read more »
Collaboration and Partnerships
Through collaborative research programs within our institutes and centers, as well as GSA partnerships, USRA membership can provide universities and with opportunities to participate in funded research projects that they might not otherwise be able to pursue. Read more »
Space Policy Advocacy
As the largest group of universities involved in space research worldwide, USRA provides a voice on policy issues that are important to our members. Our Council of Institutions Issues and Programs Committee is a group of member university representatives working together with USRA management to develop national and international policies advocated by our Council of Institutions and strategically address issues around current scientific policies. Read more »
Discovery and Development of Scientific and Technical Knowledge
More than 70% of USRA employees have advanced technical degrees, and nearly 50% hold Ph.D.s. We apply this tremendous technical talent to key areas of investigation in a variety of disciplines that make up USRA
core competencies. Many university researchers join us in these activities, as students, post-doctoral researchers, and as visiting scientists. Member university employees and students find these activities and the annual meetings associated with them to be a valuable means of interacting with other members of their research communities.
USRA also makes available valuable scientific data to our member institutions, such as the extensive collection of lunar and planetary data housed at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. The LPI library, for example, contains more than 52,000 space-related books, CDs, documents, and journals.
USRA hosts a variety of informational events that are open to all audiences. As part of our commitment to engage, excite, and educate the academic community and the public at large about space science discoveries, USRA catalogues and disseminates scientific work in peer-reviewed journals and other publications, hosts national and international conferences and workshops at USRA-managed meeting and conference facilities located at or near NASA centers, and coordinates travel support for USRA researchers.
Participation
Each year, thousands of individuals from more than 300 institutions participate in USRA research, technology development, administration, and other activities. Representatives from USRA member universities elect the
Board of Trustees, which appoints all USRA officers, the directors of our institutes and programs, and all members of USRA’s
Science Councils, which serve as scientific boards of directors overseeing USRA technical activities.
USRA draws upon the resources of member universities to manage our existing national and international research facilities and to develop and operate of newly planned facilities and activities. This teaming approach leverages the investment in existing expertise and equipment at our member universities, while USRA’s management ensures equal access for all researchers.
USRA programs provide neutral grounds for members of a particular scientific community to meet, discuss, and cooperate in technical and research initiatives and issues on a non-policy, working level.
