NGA awards $12 million grant to University of Missouri

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has awarded a $12 million, five-year contract to the University of Missouri's Columbia campus to train NGA employees.

The contract, announced Wednesday, follows the NGA's decision earlier this year to remain in St. Louis instead of moving to St. Louis County or Illinois.

The contract with the College of Engineering will focus on data science and other training needs identified by NGA. The agency anticipates 1,800 working students in St. Louis and Washington, D.C., will participate.

NGA employees will be paid for time in class. Those who complete the program will have a graduate certificate in data science and a master's degree from the university.

The agency is expected to break ground next year on a new $1.75 billion campus in north St. Louis.