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NASA Nebraska EPSCoR Call for Pre-Proposals – November 2007

Pertinent Dates

Required Letter of Intent Due: Monday, November 19, 2007

Pre-Proposal Due: Monday, December 3, 2007, 5 p.m. Central Time

Background and Purpose

In anticipation of a national NASA EPSCoR Request for Proposals, the NASA Nebraska EPSCoR program invites pre-proposals for participation in the next national competition. While there is no RFP from NASA at this time, and no official date as to when the RFP will be issued, the NASA Nebraska EPSCoR program is initiating this pre-proposal process at the state level to evaluate research with merit for full development upon NASA’s official announcement of the national competition. NASA Nebraska EPSCoR will only consider successful pre-proposals from this call to be eligible in the national NASA EPSCoR competition upon release of an RFP.

Public Law 102-588 authorized NASA to initiate the NASA EPSCoR program to strengthen the research capability of States that have not in the past participated equably in competitive aerospace research activities. Since its inception, NASA EPSCoR has been closely linked to the NASA Space Grant Program. The goal of NASA EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable states to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally competitive capabilities in aerospace research. This capability will, in turn, contribute to the state's economic viability and expand the nation's base for aerospace research and development.

Each funded NASA EPSCoR project is expected to establish research programs that will make significant contributions to the strategic research and technology priorities of NASA, and contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities, higher education, and economic development of the state.The NASA EPSCoR funded projects must perform scientific and/or technical research in areas that support the strategic research and technology priorities of one or more of NASA’s four Mission Directorates and/or one or more of the ten NASA Field Centers. An emphasis should be placed on developing a core expertise capable of successfully competing for funds from NASA sources outside of the EPSCoR program and from other non-NASA sources. The programs should move increasingly towards gaining support from sources outside the NASA EPSCoR program by aggressively pursuing additional funding opportunities offered by NASA, industry, other agencies, and elsewhere.

Requirements

Again, as there is no RFP from NASA at this time, the call for pre-proposals is based on NASA’s past EPSCoR RFPs and program manager insight as to expectations for the next competition. Upon NASA’s official release of the RFP, there may be additional areas of focus which will need to be addressed.

The scope of the work should be aligned with the anticipated budget amount of $675,000 over 3 years. A minimum match of 1:1 is required; however, overmatch will demonstrate the commitment of the state in competing nationally.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Faculty members at NASA Nebraska Space Grant research institutions
  • Faculty members must be U.S. citizens to receive any salary, travel, or direct support from the grant
  • Previous NASA research; priority will be given to those with a documented history of funded collaborative research with NASA scientists
  • Previous NASA EPSCoR PIs are not eligible as PIs in this competition
  • No more than one pre-proposal per faculty member

Letter of Intent

Prospective applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to participate in the pre-proposal process. Pre-proposals from those individuals who do not submit an LOI will not be considered. LOIs should include the following:

  • Descriptive title of the proposed research
  • Name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator
  • Names of other key personnel
  • Participating institution(s)

The LOI is not a binding agreement and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application. Electronic copies of LOIs must be received no later than Monday, November 19, 2007. Late LOIs will not be considered. Submit a single electronic file of the LOI (Microsoft Word format) to Michaela Schaaf at mschaaf@unomaha.edu

Pre-Proposal Format

Pre-proposals should be single-spaced on standard 8 ½ x11 paper, no smaller than 12 point Arial font, and with 1 inch margins throughout. Sections 1 - 11 should be no more than 7 pages total. Sections 12 and 13 should be no more than 10 pages together, but may be as few as 5 pages. Clearly label the sections as outlined below. If there is nothing to report in a section, please state accordingly.

Title Page

Include a d escriptive title of the proposed research; name, address, e-mail, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator; and participating institution(s).

Executive Summary or Abstract of Research Proposal

Limit to one single-spaced page.

Section 1: Alignment with NASA Vision

On January 14, 2004, the President unveiled a new direction and vision for NASA. Describe the clear alignment between the proposed research and the overall mission of NASA, citing the following NASA documents where appropriate. These documents will provide guidance and direction to assist you in aligning your efforts with NASA.

The Vision for Space Exploration

2006 NASA Strategic Plan

FY 2006 NASA Strategic Goals and Outcomes for Education

Outcome ED-1: Contribute to the development of the STEM workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s strategic goals through a portfolio of investments

Section 2: Alignment with NASA Mission Directorate

Describe the clear alignment between the proposed research and a specific NASA Mission Directorate (MD) or Mission Directorates. Demonstrate how the proposed research will be of value to the MD in achieving MD objectives.

Section 3: Connections with NASA Field Centers

Describe your past and present connections with NASA Field Centers in this or related research. When describing connections to and collaborations with NASA Centers, please be specific with respect to the Center. Document visits to NASA Field Centers, including purpose and dates.

Section 4: Collaborations with NASA Scientists

Describe your past and present collaborations with NASA scientists in this or related research. Describe your achievements and progress since establishing collaborations with individual NASA scientists. Identify NASA scientists who will collaborate on the proposed research. When describing these collaborations, be specific as to the NASA researcher’s title, Field Center, and contact information. Letters of support for the proposed research may be attached as an appendix or emailed individually to mschaaf@unomaha.edu by the due date. Letters of support will strengthen a pre-proposal, but are not required.

Section 5: Collaborations with Industry

Identify industry collaborators who will participate in the proposed research. When describing these collaborations, be specific as to the industry name and location. Letters of support for the proposed research may be attached as an appendix or emailed individually to mschaaf@unomaha.edu by the due date. Letters of support will strengthen a pre-proposal, but are not required.

Section 6: Contribution to NASA Workforce and the Aerospace Workforce Pipeline

  • The NASA Office of Education strongly emphasizes workforce development contributions that s upport NASA’s efforts to build linkages among students and connect students with meaningful research experiences. The NASA Human Capital Management Plan may provide guidance and direction to assist you in aligning your efforts with NASA. Document what opportunities will exist for students in the proposed research and how these experiences make a meaningful contribution to the future workforce.

Section 7: Potential for Sustainability and Technology Transfer

Document how the proposed research will remain sustainable after the three years of NASA funding expires through leveraging opportunities, etc. Also document the technology transfer contributions the research will provide, including the potential for patents, publications, and subsequent proposals.

Section 8: Value of Research to Nebraska

EPSCoR research should not only be important and aligned to NASA’s goals, but should also be important to the state. Document the contribution the proposed research will make to the state of Nebraska. Where possible, cite how the proposed research will contribute to the state’s goals and objectives.

Section 9: Minority-Serving Institutions in Nebraska

NASA advises to be “particularly attentive to the continuing opportunity to involve the minority-serving institutions in your state in NASA EPSCoR. Often the scientific and technical talent of the faculty and students at these institutions is underutilized in the development of the broader aerospace research capabilities in EPSCoR states. You are encouraged to develop relationships between these institutions and your research universities, NASA Mission Directorates and Field Centers, and possibly industry, as appropriate.” Document how the proposed research will contribute toward this goal of NASA, as well as efforts to include underrepresented minorities and female participation in the research.

Section 10: Previous Involvement with NASA Nebraska Space Grant and NASA Nebraska EPSCoR

PIs should document previous success with the NASA Nebraska Space Grant or NASA Nebraska EPSCoR programs. Cite goals that were met and progress that was made toward research objectives.

Section 11: Other Resources

This section provides an opportunity to describe other resources, unique capabilities, matching funds, in-kind support, etc. that may be of interest to reviewers.

Section 12: Research Proposal

Provide the research proposal in this section. Keep in mind the research described should be specific (provide enough detail to know exactly what will be done) and r ealistic (set appropriate targets based on the anticipated budget level). Include a t ime frame that describes short term and long term goals.

Section 13: Evaluation Plan

Describe the evaluation approach you propose to assess the quality of research, as well as the impact at the department, university, state, and NASA levels. Use quantitative metrics and expected qualitative outcomes. The established long and short term goals from the previous section should be measurable and describe the tangible evidence of completion (metrics).

Pre-Proposal Submission

Electronic copies of pre-proposals must be received no later than Monday, December 3, 2007, 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Late pre-proposals will not be considered. Submit a single electronic file of pre-proposal (Microsoft Word format) to Michaela Schaaf at mschaaf@unomaha.edu

Questions or clarifications should be addressed to Michaela Schaaf at mschaaf@unomaha.edu or 402-554-2686.

There is no estimated notification date due to the uncertainty as to when the NASA RFP will be issued. Therefore, the NASA Nebraska EPSCoR Office will remain in contact with applicants by electronic mail.