NASA to fund museum, planetarium education

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- NASA says it will provide competitive funding opportunities for informal education at several U.S. science centers, museums and planetariums.

Officials said the program could result in the awarding of approximately $6 million in grants or cooperative agreements.

Selected proposals for the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums are expected to use NASA resources to enhance informal education programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. Full proposals are due Sept. 10.

"NASA is uniquely positioned to contribute to informal education through its remarkable facilities, missions, data, images, and employees, including internationally known engineers and scientists," the space agency said. "Proposals for the program are expected to encourage life-long engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and focus on NASA's contributions to these disciplines."

The space agency said it will accept proposals from institutions of informal education that are science museums or planetariums in the United States or its territories. NASA centers, federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers, education-related companies, and other institutions and individuals may apply through a partnership with a qualifying lead organization.

Detailed information about the funding opportunity is available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=199335/FY09_CP4SMP_final_NRA%5B2%5D.pdf.