NOVA developed a Capacity Building Model to assist STEM and Education faculty in developing a fundable proposal and implementing their local project. For the
majority of NOVA institutions, this was their first funded project from NASA.

The NOVA Model included:

• Assistance During the Grant Application Process
• NOVA Personnel Assigned to Each Network School
• Site visits to engage university administration
• Intensive Professional Development
• Leadership Development
• Research Opportunities
• Publishing Opportunities
• Summer training in integrating technology

As a result, NOVA Network Institutions submitted additional grants for funding, presented 92 papers at conferences, 22 refereed journal articles, and 7 theses and dissertations. A number of NOVA Faculty authored chapters in Reform in Undergraduate Science Teaching for the 21st Century(2004).