The Minority Institution Astrobiology Collaborative is a virtual collaboration of faculty and students from minority institutions and organizations focused on achieving common educational and research goals in astrobiology.

Purpose
The purpose of forming MIAC was to bring together individuals who share an interest in making significant contributions to the field of Astrobiology in both research and education.  The importance of astrobiology as an interdisciplinary science is in its focus on some of the most important questions in the history of science. The multidisciplinary nature of this important field of science is the ideal climate for developing a collaborative group that would encourage national and international partnerships with minority institutions.

Goals

• Building a successful model for collaborations among scientists and educators at minority institutions (MIs) that will result in funded astrobiology research, peer-reviewed publications, and shared resources that benefit minority students. 
• Developing astrobiology course work and educational outreach that will attract significant numbers of minority students into the field of astrobiology
• Creating research opportunities in astrobiology for minority students at minority institutions that result in student presentations and publications in astrobiology
• Developing an infrastructure that will lead to inclusion of members on NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Teams.