LARAMIE, Wyo., Aug. 20 -- The University of Wyoming issued the following news release:

The University of Wyoming received a $14.8 million U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that will provide operation and maintenance funding for the new NSF/King Air Atmospheric Research Aircraft that is already in the midst of its first study mission.

The five-year grant begins Sept. 1 and runs through Aug. 31, 2031, for UW, which is the only academic institution in the United States that provides a research aircraft facility to the atmospheric science community.

"This grant is absolutely critical for using the King Air to conduct research over the next five years. The grant funds the basic infrastructure that is needed for operation and mainte...