Guide to fy2017 Research Funding at the

This document provides succinct insights into the various NASA funding opportunities for University research, with special attention to significant changes anticipated in FY2017. NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. Funding for university research at NASA is distributed among the four Mission Directorates - Science, Aeronautics, Human Exploration and Operations, and Space Technology. As a primary premise, NASA is interested in research that utilizes or contributes to its space or airborne assets, or the data derived from them.

An overview of the NASA headquarters directorate/office and NASA Center-based funding opportunities pertinent to Universities (some $400M).

Resources 8

Table 1: FY13/14 NASA basic and applied research funding at Universities 9

Table 2: FY2017 NASA requested R&D funding pertinent to Universities 10
Appendix 1: FY2017 New Programs and/or Significant Change

In addition to the proposed increases, NASA Aeronautics has introduced a New Aviation Horizons effort and a University Leadership Initiative (see page 4 and TACP in Appendix 1). Note two major program increases are funded by a Mandatory Budget Request; this approach is given low probability of success.

Science Mission Directorate (SMD)

Research and Analysis (Earth Science) 332 to 361 11

Frontiers (Planetary Science) 0 to 40 11

Near Earth Object Observations 40 to 50 11

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)

21^st Century Clean Transportation Plan (Mandatory Budget Request) 0 to 100 12

Advance Air Vehicles Program (AAVP) 241 to 299 12

Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) 150 to 210 12

Transformative Aeronautics Concepts (TACP) 92 to 122 12

Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)

Space Technology R&D (Mandatory Budget Request) 0 to 136 13

Human Research Program 142 to 153 13
Appendix 2: Illustrative (shortened) Datasheet for a NASA Program Officer 14
Appendix 3: Acronym glossary

Agency Specific 15

General 16

Overview

NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. The NASA Research and Development (R&D) budget consists of 19% basic research, 14% applied research, and 34% development. Funding for university research at NASA is distributed among four directorates, each with its own particular research interests:

Focus: the frontiers of earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics.

Focus: research in traditional aeronautical disciplines and emerging fields to help transform the nation's air transportation system, and future air and space vehicles.

Focus: develop capabilities and supporting research and technology that will make human and robotic exploration possible

Focus: develop and demonstrate advanced space systems concepts and technologies

intrinsic scientific and technical merit,

relevance to NASA’s stated objectives, and

cost realism.

For further details on these criteria and their relative weights see Appendix C.2 of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers (www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook). In addition, a given program may have specific guidance incorporated into its announcement.
Table 1 shows data on the NASA funding to Universities/Colleges by academic discipline for FY2013 and FY2014 (the most recent available). In addition to basic research (which correlates with the NASA Technology Readiness Levels 1-2), NASA also funds applied research (TRLs 2-3), and advanced technology demonstration (TRLs 3-5). The NASA FY2017 budget lines more closely associated with University PI research are shown in Table 2, parsed vertically by the identified Directorate program.

Science Mission Directorate (SMD)

http://science.nasa.gov/

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate conducts scientific exploration that is enabled by access to space. It projects humankind’s vantage point into space with observatories in Earth orbit and deep space, spacecraft visiting the Moon, and other planetary bodies, and robotic landers, rovers, and sample return missions. SMD is organized into four Divisions, each with its own suite of research topics:

Astrophysics

Focus: understand the universe and our place in it

Focus: satellite and airborne missions for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, solid Earth, atmosphere, and oceans

Focus: Understanding the Sun, Heliosphere, and Planetary Environments as a single connected system

Focus: observation and discovery of our solar system’s planetary objects

For more information, see MAPS NASA Charts 6-17.
Useful guidance on proposal preparation is provided at the website Service and Advice for Research and Analysis (SARA, http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/how-to-guide/). Broadly defined, research and analysis (R&A) covers the concept studies that provide the science basis for a mission, the necessary technology and techniques for implementing the mission, the calibration, validation, and analysis of data as a mission is underway, and the analysis of archived data after a mission ends.
Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES, NNH16ZDA001N)

Most calls for proposals from SMD can be found in the omnibus solicitation, Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES). A SMD website (nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/) and a RSS feed provide up-to-date changes for the ROSES NRA. The website also provides a listing of the various program managers (with contact information).

This announcement of opportunity is intended to provide opportunities for science and technology investigations on space flight missions that advance the high priority science, technology, and exploration objectives of NASA’s Mission Directorates. For more information, see MAPS NASA chart 17

http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/

NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate has four programs:

• 
  Airspace Operations and Safety Program
  

• 
  Advanced Air Vehicles Program
  

• 
  Integrated Aviation Systems Program
  

• 
  Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program
  

The ARMD research opportunities are published in the omnibus solicitation Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA). It lists some 15 topics distributed among the four ARMD programs. When there are funds available, a detailed appendix is published for a topic including the desired research focus, funding levels, and due dates. The typical period of performance for an award is three years, although a few programs may specify shorter or longer (maximum of five years) periods.

This is a new program for FY2017 in the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program. Through ULI, universities will:

• 
  Independently define the most critical technical challenges that must be solved to achieve a given strategic thrust
  
• 
  Propose independent, innovative research projects to solve the technical challenges,
  
• 
  Bring forward system-level, revolutionary ideas.
  

HEOMD leads NASA space operations related to human exploration in and beyond low Earth orbit. Exploration activities beyond low Earth orbit include the management of Commercial Space Transportation, Exploration Systems Development, Human Space Flight Capabilities, Advanced Exploration Systems, and Space Life Sciences Research & Applications. For more information, see MAPS NASA Charts 23-25.

Research opportunities in HEO are published in the omnibus solicitation, Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) that includes four appendices:

• 
  NASA Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions
  
• 
  National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions
  
• 
  NASA Human Research Program Omnibus Opportunity
  
• 
  NASA Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology
  

Research opportunities in space biology in support of NASA’s Science Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division (SLPSRA) are published in the omnibus solicitation ROSBio. Research will be announced by issuing Appendices to this NRA; it includes, but is not limited to: theory, modeling, and analysis of ROSBio-2016 GeneLab or other science data; aircraft, scientific balloon, sounding rocket, International Space Station (ISS), CubeSat, free-flyer and suborbital reusable launch vehicle investigations; development of experiment techniques suitable for future ROSBio-2016 space missions; development of concepts for future ROSBio-2016 space missions; development of advanced technologies relevant to ROSBio-2016 missions; development of techniques for and the laboratory analysis of spaceflight samples returned by spacecraft, as well as ground-based samples that support or otherwise help verify observations from flight science missions; development of integrated biological models; development of systems for applying flight research data to societal needs; and development of applied information systems applicable to SLPSRA objectives and data. For more information, see MAPS NASA Chart 25.

http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/home/index.html

STMD rapidly develops, demonstrates, and infuses revolutionary, high-payoff technologies through transparent, collaborative partnerships, expanding the boundaries of the aerospace enterprise. STMD programs include:

• 
  Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
  

• 
  Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program
  

• 
  Game Changing Development (GCD) Program
  

• 
  Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) Program
  

For more information, see MAPS NASA charts 26-31.

Research Opportunities for STMD are published in the omnibus solicitation (SpaceTech-REDDI). Appendices provide the key information on the STMD programs including: specific scope of the work solicited, anticipated budget for new awards, number of awards anticipated, notice of intent and proposal due dates, and specific instructions about proposal content and evaluation criteria.

The SMD has a New (Early Career) Investigator Program (NIP, Appendix A.32 in ROSES 2016). Proposers must: a) be a U.S. citizen or have lawful status of permanent residency (i.e., holder of a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, also referred to as the Green Card), and b) be a recent Ph.D. recipient, defined as having graduated on or after January 1 of the year that is no more than five years before the issuance date of the NRA. The award range is between $80-$120K per year for a period of up to three years. The selected Fellows have the opportunity to apply directly to the Early Career Fellowship program for up to $100K in start-up funds when they obtain a tenure-track or equivalent position.

NASA does not normally have the equivalent of the DOD Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative program or the NSF Center competitions. Occasionally NASA competes center-scale efforts, such as the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (Marshall Space Flight Center in concert with Univ. of New Orleans) and the now sunsetted NASA University Research, Engineering & Technology Institutes (URETI).

NASA does not have an equivalent of the NSF Major Research Instrumentation or DOD Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. The SMD has a Planetary Major Equipment (PME) topic (appendix C17 in ROSES 2016) where proposals may be submitted in conjunction with new science research proposals to ROSES or as an augmentation to Planetary Science Research Program multiple year awards. Instrumentation purchases or upgrades that may be requested through this program are to be over $40K. Cost-sharing and substantial institutional contributions are encouraged but not required of Universities.

www.hec.nasa.gov/

SMD provides a specialized computational infrastructure to support its research community (NASA sponsored scientists/engineers), managed by NASA’s High-End Computing (HEC) program. A proposal should include identification of the computing system and location, rationale and justification of the need, how it supports the investigation, when the resources will be required, and an estimate of needed processor hours and storage capacity. Computing time awards are for one year and nontransferable.
Office of Education

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/#.U15q1MfB2hI

NASA continues to pursue three major education goals:

• 
  Strengthening NASA and the Nation's future workforce 
  
• 
  Attracting and retaining students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines 
  
• 
  Engaging Americans in NASA's mission
  

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/solicitations.do?method=open&stack=push

www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook

www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/.../FY2014_NASA_SP_508c.pdf

http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2013/

http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-stats/

http://www.nsbri.org/SCIENCE-and-TECHNOLOGY/

The DC Office of Research Advancement has created the Federal Mission Agency Program Summaries website to:

1. 
   connect PIs with appropriate funding agency programs/program officers
   
2. 
   assist in development of white papers/charts/elevator speeches
   

1. Search Tab for a searchable database of programs/program officers

One can do keyword searches to locate many of the associated mission agency (DHS, DOD, DOE, DOT, ED, EPA, NASA, NIST, NOAA and USDA) programs and program officers.

2. Mission Agency Tab (DHS, DHHS, DOD, DOE, DOJ, DOT, ED, EPA, INTEL, NASA, NIST, NOAA, and USDA)

Guide to Agency Funding for FYXX

Agency Research Program Charts

Agency Planning Documents

Chart numbers in the “Guides to Funding” reference the Agency Research Program Chart file.

3. Presentation Tab for charts from recent USC Center of Excellence in Research workshops

4. Proposal Tab for reports / guides on writing proposals

5. Email Alerts Tab for URLs at which one can arrange for automatic solicitation updates

6. Grantee Tab for URLs at which one can find previous agency/program officer awardees

7. Visiting DC Tab for information about DC Office services
Assistance in Locating Funding and Preparing Proposals

Dr. James S. Murday DC Office of Research Advancement