NASA, USM Sign Agreement to Advance Student-led Innovation in Space Exploration

NASA and the University System of Maryland have signed a landmark five-year agreement to advance student-led innovation across the technologies that could support long-term human presence in space. 

Building on a collaboration last year between the University of Maryland xFoundry and NASA, the new framework formalizes engagement between NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate 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.

“This agreement represents a transformative moment for student innovation in aerospace,” said Amir Ansari, executive director of xFoundry. “When we launched the first NEXPLORE Summit in 2025 with UMD and NASA, we envisioned creating a sustainable pipeline connecting student entrepreneurs with the grand challenges of space exploration. This five-year agreement with the entire University System of Maryland exceeds those ambitions and establishes a model that can inspire similar partnerships nationwide.”

xFoundry, founded at UMD’s A. James Clark School of Engineering’s E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory, will continue to serve as the primary implementation partner under the agreement. It will lead execution of NEXPLORE events, the Horizons Challenge student pitch competitions, and related initiatives designed to align student ventures with NASA’s highest-priority technology needs.

“The University of Maryland is proud to help anchor this collaboration with NASA, and to strengthen the bridge between cutting-edge research, hands-on student innovation and real-world technology to power the next generation of space exploration," said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. "This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative approach that defines our commitment to excellence.”

At the system level, the agreement is structured to extend opportunity into every Maryland region. “This collaboration reflects the University System’s leadership in engaging all students in driving Maryland innovation and Maryland prosperity,” said Chancellor Jay A. Perman. "We’re democratizing access to this game-changing opportunity with NASA.”