The future of academic rocket propulsion research will be discussed when academic leaders in propulsion attend the second National Institute of Rocket Propulsion Systems (NIRPS) workshop at UAH Dec. 16-17. University representatives from across the nation will discuss what government needs and wants when it invests in universities for academic propulsion research and how universities can support the workforce needs of the field. The NIRPS workshop is co-chaired by Dr. Robert Frederick, director of the UAH Propulsion Research Center and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Shankar Mahalingam, dean of the UAH College of Engineering and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. It is sponsored by the UAH Office of the Vice President for Research, the UAH Office of the Provost, the UAH College of Engineering, and the UAH Propulsion Research Center.