DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — A collaboration between the University of New Hampshire and a nonprofit institute in Texas is expected to help the university better compete for major grants in the areas of astrophysics, Earth and ocean sciences.

Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio will lease nearly 2,000 square feet at UNH to open a new department of earth, oceans and space. Roy Torbert, director of the UNH Space Science Center, will lead the department, joined by nine other UNH staff members and a scientist from the Texas institute.

Officials say the five-year agreement will allow UNH to expand its involvement into larger and more complex space missions, and will give Southwest Research Institute a base in New England. The organization has 3,000 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.