WASHINGTON — NASA has selected 65 graduate students as the 2013 class of Space Technology Research Fellows.

This third class of space technology graduate students will conduct research relevant to agency technology challenges aligned with NASA’s space technology roadmaps, while pursuing degrees in related disciplines at their respective institutions.

“NASA’s space technology development and innovation pipeline sees a natural on-ramp for new ideas coming from America’s graduate researcher community,” said Michael Gazarik, NASA’s associate administrator for space technology in Washington. “By partnering with and investing in America’s brightest minds, we are guaranteeing a great future for NASA and the nation. These technology research efforts will bolster America’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based, global technology economy while enabling our space exploration goals.”

The fellows conduct innovative space technology research on their respective campuses, at NASA centers, and at nonprofit U.S. research and development laboratories.

The fellowships and research activities are part of a renewed emphasis by NASA on technology. The program also is designed to inspire the nation’s students and contribute to an innovation-driven economy. For a list of fellowship recipients, their respective research institutions and research topics, visit:

http://go.usa.gov/b43R

NASA’s Space Technology Research Grants Program challenges academia to examine the theoretical feasibility of ideas and approaches that are critical to making science, space travel and exploration more effective, affordable and sustainable. The program is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is dedicated to innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA’s future missions.

For more information about NASA’s investment in space technology, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech