The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) released a solicitation for its eighth University Leadership Initiative (ULI) competition. Established in 2015, ULI supports university-led teams conducting research to exercise technical and organizational leadership in proposing unique technical challenges in aeronautics, defining multi-disciplinary solutions, establishing peer review mechanisms, and applying innovative teaming strategies to strengthen the research impact. Projects should address specific topics relevant to ARMD’s mission while contributing to the long-term health and diversity of the aeronautical workforce.

The new ULI solicitation identifies six topic areas corresponding to the strategic thrusts outlined in the 2023 ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP):

1. Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations (Strategic Thrust 1)
2. Innovation in Commercial High-Speed Aircraft (Strategic Thrust 2)
3. Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports (Strategic Thrust 3)
4. Safe, Quiet, and Affordable Vertical Lift Air Vehicles (Strategic Thrust 4)
5. In-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance (Strategic Thrust 5)
6. Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation (Strategic Thrust 6)

The new solicitation omits two topic areas that were identified in the sixth ULI solicitation: Zero Emission Aviation and Materials and Structures for Next-Generation Aerospace Systems. ARMD’s strategic thrust areas were updated most recently in 2023 to “reflect emerging trends, new entrants to the industry, and perform a periodic reassessment of ARMD’s research portfolio by NASA’s aeronautical innovators”.

Previously funded ULI projects prove strong pursuit of high-risk, multidisciplinary, and translational research that accounts for widespread technology transition to industry or NASA Aeronautics research projects. Competitive proposals should clearly identify specific technical challenges directly aligned with the six topic areas, each of which correspond to ARMD’s SIP Strategic Thrusts. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the SIP for guidance on relevant research and technology needs. In addition, researchers interested in submitting a ULI proposal should consider the following:

• Workforce Development: Proposals should include opportunities for student engagement. ARMD is also interested in teams from institutions that emphasize integrated systems approaches in engineering education.
• Budget and Schedule: Proposals that request less than the maximum funding cap and propose shorter timelines will be more competitive. ARMD will not provide continuation funding for a ULI beyond its initial performance period.
• Innovation: ARMD seeks novel, interdisciplinary solutions to long-standing challenges in aeronautics. Proposals should foster collaboration across multiple disciplines and entities, not just within engineering departments.

Proposal and Award Information: Interested proposers are encouraged to add themselves to the Interested Partner List by emailing to hq-univpartnerships@mail.nasa.gov with "ULI Partnerships" in the subject line and including the information required. 

Eligibility: Only Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) are eligible to serve as lead organizations. U.S. private companies, nonprofit organizations, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are permitted to participate as partner organizations. 

Due Dates: Mandatory Step-A proposals will be due on June 26, 2025. Proposals selected to move on in the process will be invited to submit a Step-B proposal. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES.

Sources and Additional Information: 

• The full solicitation is available at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId=%7bE00DB261- BB62-5850-1B67-1AF5600E7636%7d&path=open.
• The Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)’s Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) is available at https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/armd-strategic-implementation-plan/.
• More information on the University Leadership Initiative (ULI) program is available at https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/tacp/ui/uli/.

Source: Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC, April, 2025