We would like to welcome you to the website of NIA at NCSU. The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department has been a partner in the winning proposal to form the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA). This award consists of two parts; a cooperative agreement with a budget of approximately $69M and an IDIQ contract with a budget cap of $49M. This effort will be focused at the NIA Headquarters near the NASA Langley Research Center but many significant activities will occur at each of the six member institutions. These activities will include initiatives to conduct leading edge aerospace research and develop revolutionary new technologies by creating innovative, collaborative, synergistic partnerships among LaRC, NC State, the other NIA member universities, and industry. This is the foremost objective of the NIA initiative. The key for integrated education and research is a strongly coupled on-site and distance-learning graduate program. Innovative distance-learning concepts will therefore be exploited through the NIA, especially in emerging cross-disciplinary fields. Commercialization of new intellectual property is also an NIA goal and will be stimulated through the Institute's activities both in Hampton, Va. and here on our campus. Outreach to promote aerospace science and engineering to the region and nation is the final building block. In this case the institute will work closely with the existing Space Grant program which is already run out of the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State.

"The NIAA, located in Hampton, Va., is made up of seven non-profit organizations and 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."*

      We are excited to be part of this visionary program aimed at building the research, education and outreach for the next generation of aerospace technology.

* Excerpts from NASA news release, Sept. 26, 2002