2014 NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT NRA MUREP INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY MIRO | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the MIRO funding opportunity?

MIRO is NASA's MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity, offered under the 2014 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled "NNH14ZHA001N." It is a competitive federal funding call run by NASA Headquarters to strengthen the research capacity, infrastructure, and STEM outcomes of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

What does MIRO stand for, and how does it relate to MUREP?

MIRO stands for MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity. It sits under NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), which is NASA's consolidated effort to broaden participation in high-quality STEM education and build durable pipelines into the aerospace and space-related workforce.

Is MIRO the same as the old URC program?

Yes. MIRO was previously known as the University Research Centers (URC) program and continues the same general purpose: helping eligible institutions grow into stronger, more sustainable research performers in areas that matter to NASA and national priorities.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH14ZHA001N.

What is the main purpose of MIRO?

The central mission is to build institutional strength in NASA-relevant fields while increasing participation of underrepresented communities in aerospace and space-related STEM. The solicitation emphasizes both research results and development of people, programs, and institutional capability.

What are MIRO's stated goals?

The solicitation states three goals: (1) expand the nation's base for aerospace research and development by supporting new research and technology concepts; (2) create mechanisms that increase faculty and student participation from MSIs in NASA Mission Directorate research programs; and (3) increase the number of undergraduate and graduate degrees earned by MSI students in NASA-related fields.

Which NASA mission areas should proposals align with?

MIRO is tied to NASA's four Mission Directorates: Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Space Operations, Science, and Space Technology. Proposals are expected to align with real NASA mission needs, not just general STEM programming.

What types of activities does MIRO support (research vs. education)?

The opportunity is categorized as both Science and Technology/Research and Development and Education, reflecting NASA's expectation that funded efforts will produce research results and also develop students, faculty, and institutional capability.

How many awards did NASA plan to make?

NASA planned to make approximately nine awards.

How long can MIRO projects last?

Projects could run for as long as five years.

What types of funding instruments might NASA use?

Depending on the applicant type and the needs of the work, NASA could issue support as a grant, a cooperative agreement, or as an inter- or intra-agency transfer.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No stated cost-sharing or matching requirement is included in the information provided.

What CFDA listing is referenced?

The referenced CFDA listing is 43.008 (Education).

Who is eligible to apply as the prime applicant?

Eligibility is tightly defined: only Minority Serving Universities that are legally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are eligible to apply as the prime applicant under this NRA.

Can non-MSI organizations apply as the prime?

Not if they are not an eligible MSI. The announcement contemplates partnerships, but organizations that are not eligible MSIs generally participate through subawards, subcontracts, or teaming arrangements rather than as the prime applicant.

What types of partners can be involved in a MIRO proposal?

The announcement indicates partnerships are contemplated, including other universities, informal education organizations, nonprofits, and state or local government entities. These partners typically participate via subawards, subcontracts, or teaming arrangements.

Are international or non-U.S. organizations allowed to participate?

NASA highlights a policy that research involving non-U.S. organizations must be conducted with no exchange of funds. This means international participation may be possible in some form, but NASA will not provide funding to non-U.S. entities.

What kinds of institutional outcomes does NASA expect from MIRO?

Based on the solicitation's goals and framing, MIRO signals interest in long-term institutional gains such as strengthened labs, improved research administration processes, sustained collaborations, and improved capability to compete for future NASA and federal research funding, alongside research productivity and measurable student development.

What registrations were required by the proposal due date?

By the proposal due date, applicants were required to have a DUNS number, an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration (formerly CCR), a valid CAGE code, and an active registration in NASA's Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES).

Do subawardees and subcontractors also need registrations?

Yes. The requirements apply to organizations included as subawardees or subcontractors as well, reflecting NASA's expectation of fully vettable partners and clean administrative documentation across the project team.

Do principal investigators and key personnel need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. All principal investigators and other key participants had to be registered in NSPIRES, regardless of whether the proposal itself was submitted through NSPIRES or via Grants.gov.

Why does NASA emphasize starting registrations early?

NASA encouraged organizations to begin registrations early because registration delays can derail an otherwise solid submission.

How were proposals submitted?

Submission procedures required electronic proposals to be submitted by an authorized organizational official by the deadline, with that authorized representative identified in NSPIRES.

Could applicants submit through Grants.gov instead of NSPIRES?

Yes. Proposals could be submitted either through NSPIRES directly or through Grants.gov. However, applicants choosing Grants.gov still had to maintain NSPIRES registration.

Does the solicitation guidance ever change after release?

Yes. NASA flagged that program guidance could evolve before the deadline through FAQs or formal amendments posted in NSPIRES, and applicants were responsible for monitoring NSPIRES for updates.

Who is the point of contact for MIRO questions?

The listed point of contact is Dr. Oscar Murillo, reachable via email at NASAMIRO@nasaprs.com.

When were proposal questions due to improve chances of getting a response?

Proposal questions were requested in writing no later than 10 business days before the due date to improve the chances of receiving an official response.

What compliance obligations apply if a project involves human subjects?

If projects involve people, data about people, or educational research that interacts with participants, the solicitation reminds applicants about human subjects protections. Grantee institutions are responsible for budgeting for and documenting compliance with 14 CFR 1230 (the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects).

Could education products like exhibits or curriculum trigger IRB review?

Yes. The announcement notes that education-oriented research products such as NASA-themed exhibits, programs, or curriculum materials may trigger Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. Some activities may qualify as exempt, but the IRB is responsible for confirming exemption status.

What does MIRO suggest about mixing technical research with education research or evaluation?

The solicitation signals that MIRO projects may span both technical research and education research or evaluation, and institutions should plan for ethical review and compliance infrastructure as part of project design when human subjects considerations apply.

What were the key dates for this opportunity?

Key dates included a release date of August 19, 2014; a posted/creation date of November 6, 2014; a proposal closing date of January 30, 2015; and an archive date of November 6, 2015.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity information provided indicates it was archived on November 6, 2015, and the proposal closing date was January 30, 2015.