Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH15ZEA001N LEARN2
Apply for NNH15ZEA001N LEARN2
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "D.2 Leading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASA Project (LEARN2)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.002 Aeronautics.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 24, 2015 and posted on Apr 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 1, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The D.2 Leading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASA Project (LEARN2) opportunity is a NASA Headquarters grant solicitation released as Amendment 4 to the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2015 NASA Research Announcement (NRA). It appears in Appendix D.2 of that broader ROA package and is posted through NASA NSPIRES. The core purpose is to invite research and development proposals that deliver innovative designs for one or more Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that NASA can affordably build and flight-test as experimental platforms. These UAS are meant to function specifically as test beds that enable NASA to run real-world experiments and gather evidence to answer important autonomy-focused research questions, meaning the emphasis is not just on paper designs or simulations but on practical, buildable, flyable systems that can accelerate autonomy research.
A central theme of the solicitation is cost-effective, experimental capability. NASA is looking for UAS concepts that balance novelty with realistic engineering, so the resulting aircraft can be produced economically and used in flight campaigns to evaluate autonomy technologies. In this context, "autonomy research questions" generally points to challenges around aircraft decision-making, sensing and perception, guidance and control, planning, safe operation with limited human input, and reliable behavior in complex environments. The solicitation language signals that proposals should connect the UAS design directly to how it will help test and validate autonomy methods in flight, rather than treating autonomy as an abstract add-on. In other words, the aircraft configuration, onboard systems, and test approach should be justified by the autonomy experiments NASA intends to run on the platform.
LEARN2 uses a two-step proposal process designed to screen ideas efficiently before full proposals are requested. Step A consists of required white papers, submitted in place of an optional Notice of Intent (NOI). These Step A white papers were due June 1, 2015, and they serve as the initial gate where NASA can assess alignment, feasibility, and potential value before inviting full submissions. Step B consists of the full proposal, and its deadline is set as 21 days after NASA issues notifications inviting Step B submissions. That timeline is important for applicants because it implies that teams should be ready to move quickly from concept to full technical and cost proposal once invited, with much of the groundwork prepared in advance.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using the grant instrument type, categorized under science and technology and other research and development, and associated with CFDA number 43.002 (Aeronautics). The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZEA001N and was posted on April 24, 2015, with an original and current Step A closing date of June 1, 2015, and an archive date of July 1, 2015. The solicitation indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement, which typically means proposers are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of eligibility, though applicants still need to present a credible, well-supported budget aligned with the work plan.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications in the official text. In practice for NASA NRAs, that usually includes universities, nonprofits, commercial firms, research institutions, and other organizations that can meet federal grant requirements, register in required systems, and comply with NASA and federal policies described in the full announcement. Because the opportunity is part of a larger ROA/NRA, applicants would be expected to follow both the general ROA instructions and the specific requirements for Appendix D.2, including any formatting rules, evaluation criteria, and submission procedures described in NSPIRES.
For access and support, NASA directs applicants to the full solicitation text via the announcement link and provides a point of contact for questions: Koushik Datta is listed as the NRA point of contact. The notice also indicates that written questions and responses would be posted on the solicitation website, which is a common practice intended to ensure all applicants have equal access to clarifications that could affect proposal preparation.
FAQs: NASA LEARN2 (D.2) Leading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASA Project
What is the LEARN2 (D.2) opportunity?
LEARN2 is a NASA Headquarters grant solicitation released as Amendment 4 to the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2015 NASA Research Announcement (NRA). It is presented as Appendix D.2 within the broader ROA package and is posted through NASA NSPIRES.
What is the main goal of this solicitation?
The solicitation invites research and development proposals that deliver innovative designs for one or more Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that NASA can affordably build and flight-test as experimental platforms. The UAS are intended to serve as practical test beds that help NASA run real-world experiments and gather evidence to answer autonomy-focused research questions.
What type of system is NASA looking for under LEARN2?
NASA is looking for UAS concepts that balance novelty with realistic engineering so the aircraft can be produced economically and used in flight campaigns. The emphasis is on buildable, flyable experimental platforms rather than purely conceptual designs or simulation-only efforts.
Is the focus more on research papers/simulations or flight testing?
The focus is on practical, buildable, flight-testable systems that can accelerate autonomy research through real-world experiments. The solicitation language emphasizes evidence gathered through flight experiments, not only paper designs or simulations.
What does "autonomy-focused research questions" mean in this context?
In this solicitation, autonomy-focused research questions generally point to challenges such as aircraft decision-making, sensing and perception, guidance and control, planning, safe operation with limited human input, and reliable behavior in complex environments. Proposals are expected to connect the UAS design directly to the autonomy experiments NASA intends to run.
How should a proposal connect the UAS design to autonomy research?
The aircraft configuration, onboard systems, and test approach should be justified by the autonomy experiments NASA intends to conduct on the platform. Autonomy should not be treated as an abstract add-on; the design should be driven by the planned flight experiments and the evidence those experiments are meant to produce.
What is the proposal submission process for LEARN2?
LEARN2 uses a two-step proposal process. Step A requires a white paper submission (used in place of an optional Notice of Intent). Step B is a full proposal that is submitted only after NASA invites the proposer to proceed.
Are Step A white papers required?
Yes. Step A consists of required white papers, submitted in place of an optional Notice of Intent (NOI). They serve as an initial screening step for alignment, feasibility, and potential value.
When were Step A white papers due?
The Step A white papers were due June 1, 2015.
When is the Step B full proposal due?
The Step B full proposal deadline is 21 days after NASA issues notifications inviting Step B submissions. This means invited teams are expected to be ready to move quickly once notifications are sent.
Why does the Step B timeline matter for applicants?
Because Step B is due 21 days after invitation, applicants should plan ahead so that key technical content and budget groundwork are prepared in advance, enabling a rapid transition from concept to a complete submission if invited.
What funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using the grant instrument type.
What is the funding category associated with LEARN2?
The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 43.002 (Aeronautics).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH15ZEA001N.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 24, 2015.
What were the key dates (closing and archive dates)?
The original and current Step A closing date was June 1, 2015. The archive date was July 1, 2015.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The solicitation indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement. Applicants are still expected to provide a credible, well-supported budget aligned with the proposed work plan.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications in the official solicitation text.
Where does LEARN2 fit within the broader NASA announcement structure?
LEARN2 is part of the ARMD ROA 2015 NRA and appears specifically in Appendix D.2. Applicants are expected to follow both the general ROA instructions and the specific requirements for Appendix D.2.
Where are proposals submitted?
The opportunity is posted through NASA NSPIRES, and applicants are directed to access the full solicitation text via the announcement link there.
What rules or requirements apply to submissions?
Because LEARN2 is part of a larger ROA/NRA, applicants should follow the general ROA instructions as well as the specific requirements for Appendix D.2, including any formatting rules, evaluation criteria, and submission procedures described in NSPIRES.
Who is the point of contact for questions about the solicitation?
Koushik Datta is listed as the NRA point of contact.
How will NASA handle questions and clarifications?
The notice indicates that written questions and responses would be posted on the solicitation website. This approach is intended to ensure all applicants have equal access to clarifications that could affect proposal preparation.
What is NASA expecting the UAS to be used for after it is built?
The UAS are intended to function as experimental platforms (test beds) that enable NASA to run real-world flight experiments and gather evidence to address autonomy research questions.
Does the solicitation emphasize affordability?
Yes. A central theme is cost-effective experimental capability. NASA is looking for UAS designs it can affordably build and flight-test.
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