NASA’s oldest research laboratory is working to ensure
America’s future dominance in aerospace innovation and
education.

The Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., will team with
the National Institute of Aerospace Associates (NIAA),
Reston, Va., a newly formed non-profit corporation, to create
a world-class institute called the National Institute of
Aerospace (NIA) to do cutting edge aerospace and atmospheric
research, develop new technologies for the nation and help
inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Locating the NIA at the Langley Research Center will
facilitate the Institute’s involvement in agency-sponsored
research programs and foster collaboration with NASA,
including access to its world-class research facilities.

This innovative government-academic partnership is comprised
of a cost reimbursable, indefinite delivery/indefinite
quantity contract and a cooperative agreement. The maximum
value of the contract for a five-year base period is $49
million. The value of the basic five-year cooperative
agreement is $69 million. If the three five-year options are
exercised under the cooperative agreement, the combined
potential total value would be $379 million.

The NIAA is made up of seven non-profit organizations or
universities including:

  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation, Reston, Va.
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville
  • University of Maryland, College Park
  • North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro
  • Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

The Institute is a long-term commitment on the part of NASA
to expand collaboration with universities, industry, other
government agencies and the broader scientific community to
fully leverage expertise inside and outside of government.

Once fully operational, the Institute will become a strategic
partner working with NASA to enhance its world-class
aerospace and atmospheric research capability. The Institute
will complement Langley’s research creativity, and expand
research and technology development opportunities. In
addition, the NIA will be a significant new research and
education asset for the nation.

The Institute, through its partner universities, will offer
masters’ and doctoral degrees in science and engineering
using both a local campus and the latest innovations in
distance learning. The Institute will also be a catalyst for
economic development by stimulating the commercialization of
new intellectual property and facilitating the growth of new
business opportunities. Finally, the Institute will be a
prominent new voice promoting the benefits of aerospace
research.