The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Academic Research Program consists of several components designed to establish a foundation of relationships with academia for all areas of geospatial intelligence research. These components connect NGA Research with science and technology (S&T) talent in the research mission areas by: 

• Awarding academic grants to leading investigators at universities and colleges in the nation
• Hiring visiting scientists who are domain experts to perform research (onsite or offsite) in response to Research requirements
• Supporting undergraduate research in the geospatial sciences at all four military service academies (research must be of mutual benefit to cadets and to the research mission of a collaborating Research group).   

The components of NARP are:

NGA Academic Grants Program: This program connects NGA Research with academia to promote research that supports NGA Research’s mission. Grants are generally awarded for a 2-year base period with up to three 1-year options, in response to the Academic Grant Broad Agency Announcement that is posted on www.grants.gov . Grants are awarded in three categories: 

NGA University Research Initiatives:  The NURI Program supports research in geospatial intelligence disciplines at U.S. colleges and universities.  NURI grants are open to private and public educational institutions that carry out science and engineering research and/or related science and engineering education, including all institutions of higher education that meet the criteria in section 1201a of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)).

New Investigator Program:  NIP awards grants to faculty employed by eligible institutions who are U.S. citizens, naturalized citizens, or permanent U.S. residents holding faculty positions at U.S. universities and colleges and who have held their doctorate degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) for less than five years at the time of application. Faculty must be employed by institutions of higher education that meet the criteria in section 1201a of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)). These grants are awarded to the institutions and are intended to support outstanding faculty members’ ability to conduct innovative research on NGA initiatives and to further encourage their research and academic careers.  If awarded, strong institution support for the applicant throughout the grant period is required. This support may include time released from teaching or administrative responsibilities to pursue the research; the purchase of equipment; support for the applicant's graduate students; or departmental cost sharing.  It must be evident that the institution views the applicant as a truly outstanding, potential leading faculty member, and is making a long-term commitment to his/her application and research.

NGA Research Collaboration Forums:  The NRCF grants are open to private and public educational institutions that carry out science and engineering research and/or related science and engineering education, including all institutions of higher education that meet the criteria in section 1201a of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)). An eligible lead institution will be the primary awardee for purposes of award execution. These grants are intended to encourage collaboration forums in the United States, in close partnership and coordination with NGA Research, for the systematic exploration, discourse and advancement of greater scientific breakthroughs or understanding in one or more of the research interests of NGA.

If you have an interest in any of the competitive NARP grant programs described above (NURI, NIP or NRCF), please see the NGA Academic Grant Broad Agency Announcement posted on the www.grants.gov  web site. 

Service Academy Education: The primary purpose of the NGA Service Academy Support Agreement Program is to support basic research in the geospatial sciences that is mutually beneficial to the NGA Research mission and enhances geospatial science education for cadets at all four military service academies. The long term objective is to impact the geospatial intelligence knowledge and awareness of future officers.

• Support undergraduate research activities and related geospatial educational development
• Co-Sponsor Summer Cadet interns at NGA with Analysis and Source.

Visiting Scientist Program (VSP): The Visiting Scientist Program allows NGA Research to connect with and hire technical talent and experts from universities, national laboratories and industry to perform classified or unclassified research, for time-periods between 6 months and 5 years.  Visiting Scientists identify and address fresh ideas and path breaking science focused on researching GEOINT solutions to real-world intelligence problems. If you have an interest in the Visiting Scientist Program, you can find more information at https://orise.orau.gov/nga .

If you have any questions about any components of the NARP, please send an email to NARPPO@nga.mil.