Announcement of Opportunity and Request for Proposals for Funding by

Kentucky NASA EPSCoR:
Research Infrastructure Development Program, 2008

Receipt Deadline for Proposals: Thursday, February 7, 2008, at 4pm Central Time

NOTE: This web version is provided only for first reference.
For developing a proposal, please use the following downloadable word-processor version
(including cover sheet and budget forms):

Download NASA EPSCoR Proposal Instructions and Cover Sheet Form -- MS Word Version
Download NASA EPSCoR Proposal Budget Form -- MS Excel Version

Some basic references describing the Vision for Space Exploration are available as follows:

Download President's Vision for Space Exploration-- PDF File   (Requires Free Adobe Acrobat to read and print)
Download Report of the President's Commission -- PDF File   (Requires Free Adobe Acrobat to read and print)

Purpose and Objectives:  The Kentucky NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development Program is intended to increase the state's capacity for research in collaboration with NASA through:

1. Increasing the number of less-experienced investigators in Kentucky who are developing collaborative research projects with NASA

2. Teaming less-experienced investigators with more-experienced mentors in designing larger multi-investigator projects that address NASA's needs and interests

• More-experienced research mentors may apply as PI to support the intensive development of a less-experienced investigator as funded Co-I. Research Infrastructure Development funding is not appropriate for augmentation of existing funded research projects. Researchers with current funding for essentially the same project during the term of the proposed project are ineligible to serve as PI, but may serve as Co-I in a mentoring capacity.

• Different investigators may submit separate proposals that ultimately relate as components of the same large multi-investigator project to be proposed to NASA. In such cases, the plan (item 4, below) for the multi-investigator proposal should be coordinated among the proposals. Research Infrastructure Development projects are individually selected for funding on their own merits.

3. Increasing diversity in the aerospace workforce, with emphasis on involving women, members of underrepresented groups, and persons with disability as investigators and student participants in the projects.

This is a preparation program with awards up to $45,000 (subject to availability of funds), based on collaboration in areas of overlap between NASA's strategic interests and Kentucky's research capabilities. Within this context, the program specifically targets Kentucky less-experienced investigators who will:

1. Determine how they can contribute to NASA's strategic needs through consultation and planning with NASA researchers.

2. Establish a research project in direct collaboration with researcher(s) at NASA Centers or in NASA Mission Directorates, addressing issues of importance to the NASA mission.

3. Demonstrate a plan to achieve a sustainable research effort, based on future competitive funding from NASA or other federal sources.

4. Develop a plan for expanding the research in NASA's interests to a multi-investigator team effort that is competitive for further development under future NASA EPSCoR Research Area funding opportunities.*

*As NASA announces opportunities for multi-investigator Research Area awards, the Research Infrastructure Development Program will call for proposals from Kentucky researchers, review and evaluate the proposals with existing advisory personnel, and submit selected proposals to NASA. (It is anticipated that up to two proposals can be forwarded following selection by state review each year, and that funding by NASA in that program may be in amounts up to $166,666/year -- awarded for three years, totaling up to $500,000.)

1. Indication by the NASA collaborator(s) of the importance of the project to NASA and their plan for direct collaboration in the project.

2. Statement of a plan for achieving a sustainable research effort, based on future competitive funding from NASA or other federal sources.

3. Formative discussion of a plan for expanding the research in NASA's interests to a multi-investigator team effort that is competitive for further development under future NASA EPSCoR Research Area funding opportunities.

1. Reporting on project accomplishments and outcomes, including publications, presentations, follow-on proposals and grants, and invention disclosures/patents.

2. Reporting on the development and growth of the collaboration with the researcher(s) at the NASA Center(s) or Mission Directorates(s).

3. Submission of a follow-on proposal for non-EPSCoR federal funding to sustain the project, as well as publications and presentations relating the results of the project.

4. Future submission for review and possible selection for forwarding of a multi-investigator Research Area proposal to the national NASA EPSCoR Program (when NASA announces the opportunity).

To qualify, the research must be performed in close collaboration with NASA researchers in an area or project that is of strategic interest to NASA's mission priorities. References at the end of this RFP provide access to NASA documents that detail NASA's mission components and priorities.

Proposers must work directly with a NASA collaborator to design a project that supports NASA's mission priorities, and both must jointly make a strong justification that the proposed project will significantly contribute to the NASA Mission. Awards will be competitive, based on the quality of the research, relevance to the NASA  Mission, strength of collaboration with NASA researchers, benefits to the State in developing R&D capacity or in enhancing economic development, and potential of the project for short- and long-term achievement of results, with nationally competitive performance as the ultimate objective.

Awards and Eligibility: This RFP invites proposals for NASA-based collaborative research/development projects by less-experienced investigators, or more-experienced investigators mentoring less-experienced investigators as Co-I, and their students at all Kentucky universities and colleges. Women and members of other underrepresented populations are especially encouraged to apply. Awards are made only to Kentucky institutions.

Research Project Preparation Awards -- We anticipate making approximately 5 awards of up to $45,000 (depending on available funding) in the 2008 program on a competitive basis for research projects that are demonstrably supportive of NASA's current mission priorities and needs. The projects must involve very close and active collaboration with NASA researchers on issues of importance to the NASA Mission.   In the proposal, the PI and the NASA collaborator together must make a compelling case that the research project directly supports identified goals within NASA's mission priorities -- to a degree that will make the project a strong basis for future  funding through NASA or NASA EPSCoR.

Timeframe:  Proposed projects should begin no earlier than August 1, 2008, and must end no later than July 31, 2009.

Allowable Costs: Grant funds may support direct costs including salary/fringe for university faculty, students, and post-docs for collaborative research with NASA; materials and supplies directly supporting the research; and domestic travel to collaborating NASA sites and other research facilities for establishing and/or conducting the research, or for disseminating results at meetings (foreign travel is not supported).  Equipment (defined as items costing $1000 or more with a useful life of at least two years) is not allowed on the agency funding but may be used as cost share.

Cost Sharing Requirement: University cost sharing is required to be at least 1:1 on all awards, and must be from non-federal funds.  Cost sharing may include items such as equipment, faculty salaries and fringe benefits, post-doctoral stipends, graduate and undergraduate stipends, student tuition and fees, and technical staff salaries supporting the research.  Indirect costs may not be charged to the grant; however, waiver of all indirect costs on agency and institutional costs may be contributed as cost sharing by the institution.  Care should be taken in budgeting to ensure that the cost share can be fully accrued before July 31, 2009.

Instructions and Checklists for the Proposal:

Goals:  The immediate goal of the program is to initiate space-related research and development projects through collaboration between Kentucky and NASA researchers, involving research of strategic interest to NASA's mission priorities. Ultimate goals include development of major multi-investigator NASA EPSCoR proposals for the next round and national competitiveness of the researchers and NASA collaborators for funding from NASA and other sources.

Specifically, proposals must address and include the following:

___1.    Narrative technical description of the subject, methods, goals relative to NASA mission priorities, and anticipated outcomes.
___2.    The NASA collaborator(s), their NASA affiliations (Mission Directorate, Center, etc.), and contact information.
___3.    Details of the plan for collaboration, including strong justification of relevance to NASA mission priorities, including justification from the NASA collaborator(s).
___4. Plan for sustaining the research through follow-on non-EPSCoR grants.
___5. Outline of plan for large multi-investigator project to propose in the next NASA Research Area national EPSCoR competition.
___6. Letter(s) of collaborative plans from the NASA researcher(s), detailing how the project will benefit NASA and how they intend to participate and contribute.

Criteria:  Each proposed project should explicitly support the above goals and provide the required information.  Criteria used for evaluating the proposal, and the performance in funded projects, include:

___1.    Soundness of R&D goals and methods for achievement.
___2.    Collaboration with NASA researchers, missions, or investigative efforts in areas of NASA mission priorities.
___3.    Potential competitiveness for future major funding from NASA EPSCoR, NASA, and other sources.
___4.    Effect on infrastructure for the nation's scientific and engineering research, education, and human resources base, including women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
___5.    Clarity and appropriateness of the budget, and the extent/level of institutional commitment and financial support to sustain achievements beyond the grant period.
___6.    Indicators such as publications and presentations, follow-on proposals and grants, institutional commitments.

Proposal Format and Checklist: The proposal must be prepared in paper form, single-sided, unbound, stapled, and organized as follows:

___1.    Cover page (on form provided), with Abstract in space provided.
___2.    Budget page (on form provided), with institutional signatures.
___3.    Narrative technical description of the project, including the basis for its interest to NASA and the details of the collaboration with NASA researchers. Limit 10 single-spaced one-sided pages.
___4.    Budget narrative, description, and justification.
___5.    Plan for sustaining the research through follow-on non-EPSCoR grants.
___6.   Outline of plan for large multi-investigator project to propose in the next NASA Research Area national EPSCoR competition.
___7.    Brief vita(e).
___8.   Letters of collaborative plans from NASA researchers (also, from any Kentucky collaborators).

___9. An original and twenty-five (25) single-sided paper copies of the completed and signed proposal must be received in the Kentucky NASA EPSCoR Center Office at Western Kentucky University by:

Vision for Space Exploration:http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/explore_main.html

2006 NASA Strategic Plan:http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/142302main_2006_NASA_Strategic_Plan.pdf
 

CONTACT INFORMATION:  If you do not already know NASA researchers working in the areas of interest, you should contact the contact person at the corresponding Center or Mission Directorate listed on the following pages.
 

NASA Center Contacts

Ms. Brenda Collins, University Affairs Specialist
NASA Ames Research Center, Mail Stop 226-8, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
Phone:650-604-3540  Fax: 650-604-0978
Email: Brenda.J.Collins@nasa.gov

Ms. Linda Rodgers, University Programs Administrator
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 180-109, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099
Phone: 818-354-3274  Fax: 818-393-4977
Email:linda.rodgers@jpl.nasa.gov

Dr. Miriam Rodón-Naveira, Education Director
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, P.O. Box 273, Mail Stop 2332, Edwards, CA 93523-0273
Phone: (661) 276-3647  Fax: (661) 276-2134
Email: Miriam.M.Rodon@nasa.gov

Dr. Mark David Kankam, University Affairs Officer
NASA Glenn Research Center, Mail Stop 49-5, Cleveland, OH 44135
Phone: (216) 433-6143  FAX: (216) 433-3687
Email: Mark.D.Kankam@nasa.gov

Dr. Vigdor (Vic) Teplitz, University Affairs Officer
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 603, Greenbelt, MD 20771-0001
Phone: (301) 286-0345  Fax: (301) 286-1610
Email: Vigdor.L.Teplitz@nasa.gov

Mr. Robert Musgrove, Higher Education Office
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Mail Stop AE2, Houston, TX 77058
Phone: (281) 483-3065  FAX: (281) 483-4876
Email: Robert.P.Musgrove@nasa.gov

Hortense Burt, Education Projects Manager
John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Phone: 321-861-9083  FAX: 321-867-2097
Email: Hortense.B.Burt@nasa.gov

Mr. Lloyd Evans, University Affairs Officer
Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 400, Hampton, VA 23681-2199
Phone: (757) 864-5209  FAX: (757) 864-8835
Email: Lloyd.B.Evans@nasa.gov

Dr. Frank Six, University Affairs Officer
Marshall Space Flight Center, Office of Academic Affairs (HS30), MSFC, AL 35812-0001
Phone: (256) 961-7701  FAX: (256) 544-5862
Email: Norman.F.Six@nasa.gov

NASA Mission Directorate Contacts

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
Mr. Tony Springer, Education Liaison
NASA Headquarters, Mail Suite 6K39
Phone: (202) 358-0848, Fax:  (202) 276-2134
Email: Tony.Springer@nasa.gov

Science Mission Directorate
Dr. Ming-Ying Wei, Program Manager
NASA Headquarters, Mail Suite 3F71
Phone: (202) 358-0771, Fax: (202) 358-2770
Email: ming-ying.wei-1@nasa.gov

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate
Mr. Jerry Hartman, Education Lead
NASA Headquarters, Mail Suite 2T22
Phone: (202) 358-1451, Fax: (202) 358-2682
Email: Jerry.G.Hartman@nasa.gov

Space Operations Mission Directorate
Ms. Carla Rosenberg, Education Liaison
NASA Headquarters, Mail Suite 7H39-A
Phone: (202) 358-1734
Email: carla.b.rosenberg@nasa.gov
 
 

See the top of this page for:

1. Downloadable files containing Request for Proposals, Cover Sheet, and Budget Form,
2. Downloadable Vision for Space Education and the Report of the President's Commission.

Please use the <BACK> button on your browser to return to the previous page.