Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH08ZNE006N
Apply for NNH08ZNE006N
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 23, 2008 and posted on Jul 23, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 17, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Proposers must be affiliated with an institution at nspires.nasaprs.com/ and, in general, NASA provides funding only to US institutions. Organizations outside the U.S. that propose on the basis of a policy of no exchange of funds consult Appendix B Section (l) of the guidebook for proposers (http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/) for specific details. Some NRAs may be issued jointly with a non U.S. organization, e.g., those concerning guest observing programs for jointly sponsored space science programs, that will contain additional special guidelines for non U.S. participants. Also ref. Sections 2.3.10(c)(vii) of the guidebook for proposers for special instructions for proposals from non U.S. organizations that involve U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP) is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity designed to support informal education projects led by science museums and planetariums. The program is run through NASA's Office of Education (Integration Division, Informal Education Program) in coordination with the Office of Communication Planning and several NASA Mission Directorates (Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations). The core purpose is to fund exhibit and informal learning efforts that are distinctly NASA in content and draw directly from eligible NASA missions, science and engineering work, exploration activities, and related technologies. Projects are expected to translate NASA work into engaging public-facing learning experiences, typically through exhibits, planetarium programming, and other museum-based informal education approaches.
The solicitation emphasizes NASA-themed content aligned with Congressionally directed focus areas, including space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science, microgravity, or a combination of these topics. Proposals are expected to show how the planned activities connect to NASA education outcomes and how the museum or planetarium environment will be used to reach learners outside of traditional classrooms. While partnerships are strongly encouraged, NASA makes it clear that leadership for the project must reside within an informal education institution such as a science museum or planetarium, reinforcing that these organizations are intended to be the central drivers of project design, delivery, and impact.
A key expectation is that proposals respond to real educational needs or challenges at the national, regional, or local level. Applicants are expected to substantiate the need (for example, through audience data, community context, education research, or documented gaps in access and outcomes) and then present a solution that could produce a meaningful, measurable impact. In practice, that means the program is not just looking for attractive displays; it is looking for well-justified informal learning interventions that can demonstrate value for specific audiences and communities.
Funding is offered through grants or cooperative agreements, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity. Individual award sizes are expected to range from $250,000 to $2,000,000, with a performance period of up to five years. NASA anticipated a total program funding level of about $6,000,000 for this solicitation, with the number of awards depending on the mix of larger and smaller selections. The stated expectation was a maximum of two larger awards and up to twenty smaller awards, giving NASA flexibility to fund a small number of major initiatives, a broader set of smaller projects, or some combination of the two.
Eligibility is centered on institutions generally based in the United States, consistent with NASA's standard approach to providing funding primarily to U.S. institutions. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in the NSPIRES system (the NASA online proposal and review platform). The notice also notes that non-U.S. organizations may participate under limited circumstances, particularly where there is no exchange of funds, and directs potential non-U.S. participants to consult NASA's NRA guidebook and related sections for specific rules, especially in cases involving U.S. personnel support.
Administrative details for the posted opportunity include the Funding Opportunity Number NNH08ZNE006N, an original and current closing date of October 17, 2008, and an archive date of November 16, 2008, indicating that this specific posting is historical. The full NASA Research Announcement was made available through the NASA Headquarters solicitations site and NSPIRES. For access issues or general questions, the opportunity listed a program contact, CP4SMP Manager Anita M. Sohus.
CP4SMP (Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums) - FAQs
What is the CP4SMP opportunity?
The Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP) is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity intended to support informal education projects led by science museums and planetariums.
Who runs and manages this program within NASA?
The program is run through NASA's Office of Education (Integration Division, Informal Education Program) and coordinated with the Office of Communication Planning and several NASA Mission Directorates: Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations.
What kinds of projects is CP4SMP meant to fund?
CP4SMP is designed to fund exhibit and informal learning efforts that are distinctly NASA in content and that draw directly from eligible NASA missions, science and engineering work, exploration activities, and related technologies. Typical approaches include exhibits, planetarium programming, and other museum-based informal education experiences.
What does NASA mean by "distinctly NASA" content?
Projects are expected to translate NASA work into engaging public-facing learning experiences and to draw directly from NASA missions and activities. The solicitation emphasizes NASA-themed content aligned with Congressionally directed focus areas.
What topic areas does the solicitation emphasize?
The solicitation emphasizes NASA-themed content aligned with Congressionally directed focus areas, including space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science, microgravity, or a combination of these topics.
Do projects need to be connected to NASA education outcomes?
Yes. Proposals are expected to show how planned activities connect to NASA education outcomes and how the museum or planetarium environment will be used to reach learners outside of traditional classrooms.
Is the program focused on classroom instruction?
No. The opportunity is aimed at informal education delivered through science museums and planetariums and is intended to reach learners outside of traditional classrooms.
Are partnerships allowed or encouraged?
Partnerships are strongly encouraged. However, NASA specifies that project leadership must reside within an informal education institution such as a science museum or planetarium.
Can a partner organization lead the project instead of a museum or planetarium?
No. The solicitation reinforces that science museums and planetariums are intended to be the central drivers of project design, delivery, and impact, and that leadership must reside within an informal education institution.
Does NASA require proposals to address a specific need or challenge?
Yes. A key expectation is that proposals respond to real educational needs or challenges at the national, regional, or local level.
How should applicants justify the need for the project?
Applicants are expected to substantiate the need using evidence such as audience data, community context, education research, or documented gaps in access and outcomes.
Is CP4SMP looking only for visually attractive exhibits?
No. The program is not just looking for attractive displays; it is looking for well-justified informal learning interventions that can demonstrate value and produce meaningful, measurable impact for specific audiences and communities.
What funding mechanisms are used for awards?
Funding is offered through grants or cooperative agreements.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
What is the expected award size range?
Individual award sizes are expected to range from $250,000 to $2,000,000.
How long can the project period last?
The performance period can be up to five years.
How much total funding did NASA anticipate for this solicitation?
NASA anticipated a total program funding level of about $6,000,000 for this solicitation.
How many awards did NASA expect to make?
The number of awards was expected to depend on the mix of larger and smaller selections. The stated expectation was a maximum of two larger awards and up to twenty smaller awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on institutions generally based in the United States, consistent with NASA's standard approach of providing funding primarily to U.S. institutions. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES (NASA's online proposal and review platform).
Do applicants need to be registered in NSPIRES?
Yes. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES.
Can non-U.S. organizations participate?
Non-U.S. organizations may participate under limited circumstances, particularly where there is no exchange of funds. The opportunity directs potential non-U.S. participants to consult NASA's NRA guidebook and related sections for specific rules, including cases involving U.S. personnel support.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is NNH08ZNE006N.
What were the closing and archive dates for this posting?
The original and current closing date listed was October 17, 2008, and the archive date was November 16, 2008.
Is this a current opportunity or a historical posting?
This specific posting appears to be historical, based on the listed closing date (October 17, 2008) and archive date (November 16, 2008).
Where was the full NASA Research Announcement made available?
The full NASA Research Announcement was made available through the NASA Headquarters solicitations site and through NSPIRES.
Who is the listed program contact for questions?
The opportunity listed the CP4SMP Manager as the program contact: Anita M. Sohus.
What types of learner experiences are typically expected under CP4SMP?
Projects typically translate NASA mission and technology content into public-facing informal learning experiences delivered through museum exhibits, planetarium shows or programming, and related museum-based approaches.
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