Funding Opportunities
NASA Launches Space Technology Research Grant for Early Career Faculty – March 30 Deadline
On March 8, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced a new funding opportunity to support research for early career faculty in certain high priority
technology areas. The 8
funding opportunity is supported by the NASA Space Technology program, which was formally launched in fiscal year (FY) 2011.
Space Technology is a major priority of NASA; the President’s FY 2013 budget request proposed significant increases for the program.
The Space Technology program invests in potentially game-changing technology with applications across NASA mission directorates. NASA sees the university community
as an important partner in accelerating innovative technology development and in training the next generation of scientists, technologists, and engineers needed to support NASA technology development.
Universities may submit proposals for funding on behalf of investigators in the early stages of their careers. NASA is seeking proposals for early stage (technology
readiness level 1-3) space technology research that aligns with specific focus areas within the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist’s (OCT) draft technology roadmaps, outlined below. Applicants are also encouraged to review the National Research Council’s
(NRC) independent evaluation of the OCT draft roadmaps and align their proposals with the report’s recommendations. (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13354).
The NRC report will have significant influence over future NASA space technology investments.
Specific technology focus areas include:
Communication and Navigation Systems
(http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/501623main_TA05-CommNav-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf)
Subcategories: Adaptive Network Topology, Timekeeping and Time Distribution, and Onboard Autonomous Navigation and Maneuvering Systems.
Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems
(http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/500436main_TA06-HHLSHS-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf)
Subcategories: Environmental Control and Life Support Systems: Waste Management, Habitation, Radiation Protection Systems, and Radiation Monitoring Technology.
Human Exploration Destination Systems
(http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/501327main_TA07-HEDS-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf)
Subcategories: In-Situ Resource Utilization, Resource Acquisition, ISRU Products/Production, and ISRU Manufacturing & Infrastructure Emplacement.
Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing
(http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/501625main_TA12-MSMSM-DRAFT-Nov2010-A.pdf)
Subcategories: Materials: Lightweight Structure, Structures: Lightweight Concepts, Structures: Design and Certification Methods, and Mechanical Systems: Reliability / Life
Assessment / Health Monitoring.
Letters of Intent: Notices of intent are due March 30, 2012.
Due Dates: Applications are due May 3, 2012.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. Principal investigators must be a recent Ph.D. recipient who graduated on or after
January 1, 2005. (e.g. they cannot be more than seven years beyond their date of graduation when the solicitation is released). 9
Total Funding and Award Size: Awards are expected to be approximately $200,000 per year. Awards will be issued for a year-long
duration with two possible one-year renewals.
Additional Resources: The full solicitation can be found at:
http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={0E68FEE0-A7A2-EDFF-50CA-49E9E0641E18}&path=open.
Shannon
Shannon R. Landis, MEd
Department Manager
Physics & Astronomy
Tufts University
212 College Ave.
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-5360
(617) 627-3878 fax
Shannon Landis Tufts edu