In 1997, the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBR) was established in Houston through a NASA Cooperative Agreement. The NSBRI mitigated the risks inherent to long duration human spaceflight while translating research findings to tangibly improve health on Earth.

The Institute partnered with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), academia, and industry to achieve these goals, while at the same time inspiring and training the next generation of space life scientists, physicians, engineers, and astronauts. In March 2012, NASA announced a five-year extension of its cooperative agreement with the NSBRI. The Institute closed its doors in 2017.