North Dakota funds aviation center offering mental health and certification help

The University of North Dakota must establish a center for aerospace medicine. The center operates under the university's School of Aerospace Sciences.

The center must provide mental health resources, help people seek federal medical certification, support access to examiners, assist with federal requirements, encourage research collaboration, and offer education and outreach. Mental health and certification help is for flight students, pilots, and aviation professionals in commercial aviation, unmanned aircraft systems, and air traffic control. Access support includes rural areas; federal requirements assistance covers aviation medical examiners and applicants. The center must cooperate with the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Aerospace Medicine.

The university receives one-time funding for the center: up to $250,000 from the Community Health Trust Fund and up to $250,000 from federal or other sources. The University of North Dakota receives the funding for the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine. The amounts are limited to what may be needed and come from money not otherwise appropriated. The funding may support planning, development, establishment, and operation, including staff, facilities, training, outreach, and initial research. The funding covers the two-year period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.