EONS 2011 MSFC Pre Service Teacher Institute | Apply Online

FAQs: EONS 2011 MSFC Pre Service Teacher Institute (NNH11ZHA002C / NNH112HA002C)

1) What is the EONS 2011 MSFC Pre Service Teacher Institute opportunity?

It is a NASA education funding opportunity listed under the broader Education Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS) 2011 solicitation. It appears as the MSFC Pre Service Teacher Institute element and is associated with Funding Opportunity Number NNH11ZHA002C (often shown in narrative text as NNH112HA002C). The overall solicitation was released January 7, 2011 using NASA's NASA Research Announcement (NRA) process.

2) How does this opportunity fit within NASA programs?

This opportunity sits within NASA's Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP). MUREP is designed to expand NASA-related education and research participation among institutions serving historically underrepresented communities in STEM.

3) What was the main goal of EONS 2011 (and MUREP) as described here?

The stated goal was to strengthen pathways into STEM by supporting projects that connect underserved and underrepresented students and faculty with NASA-relevant learning experiences, research exposure, and mission-linked technology activities. The solicitation also aimed to address national challenges in recruiting, preparing, and retaining students in STEM fields, while increasing the involvement of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in NASA's mission ecosystem.

4) What types of awards were available (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Funding could be issued as either a grant or a cooperative agreement. The choice depended on the structure of the proposed project and the level of NASA involvement expected during performance.

5) How long could a funded project run?

Typical award performance periods were described as two to four years. However, the solicitation allowed flexibility for shorter or longer projects up to a maximum of five years.

6) How much funding was available per project?

Institutional funding levels were described in broad ranges, from about $50,000 per year for smaller, focused efforts up to roughly $300,000 per year for more extensive, mission-focused activities.

7) How much total funding was available under EONS 2011?

Total funding varied by program element within the EONS 2011 solicitation. The description indicates totals generally ranging from under $1 million to about $3 million per element, which could support anywhere from a handful to several dozen projects depending on proposal quality and NASA priorities.

8) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity explicitly stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.

9) When was the EONS 2011 solicitation released?

The EONS 2011 solicitation was released on January 7, 2011 under the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) process.

10) What were the key submission timeline milestones mentioned?

The Notice of Intent (NOI) window began February 2, 2011, with NOI dates varying by program element and running through March 14, 2011. Proposal deadlines also varied by program element, beginning March 10, 2011 and extending through April 11, 2011.

11) What were the specific dates shown for the MSFC Pre Service Teacher Institute listing?

For this specific listing, the posting shows an original and current closing date of March 10, 2011, and an archive date of April 9, 2011.

12) How were proposals required to be submitted?

Proposals had to be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational official using either NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or Grants.gov. NSPIRES registration was required in all cases.

13) If an organization submits through Grants.gov, do they still need NSPIRES?

Yes. The description states that NSPIRES registration was required in all cases, regardless of whether the submission route was NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

14) Who needed to be registered in NSPIRES?

NASA required that principal investigators (PIs) and any co-investigators be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission route.

15) Why did NASA emphasize early registration?

NASA emphasized early registration and system familiarization to help applicants avoid submission problems and to ensure the electronic submission requirements could be met by the deadlines.

16) Who was eligible to apply as the lead organization?

Eligibility centered on Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with the solicitation referencing MSI lists current as of 12/31/2008 or later.

17) Could an institution qualify as Hispanic-serving without an official designation?

Yes. The solicitation indicated that institutions serving substantial Hispanic enrollment but not officially designated could qualify by documenting at least 25 percent full-time Hispanic enrollment.

18) Were any additional entity types eligible depending on the program element?

Yes. Depending on the specific program element, additional eligible entities could include community colleges, public school districts with high minority enrollment, and nonprofit organizations.

19) Can organizations that are not MSIs participate?

Non-MSI higher education institutions and other groups were generally positioned to participate through partnerships led by an eligible lead organization. The description lists examples including NASA Centers, federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers, state and local agencies, science museums, planetariums, for-profit companies, and non-U.S. organizations.

20) Were there special requirements for collaborations involving Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)?

Yes. For collaborations involving a TCU where the lead was not a TCU, the solicitation required formal letters of support from the TCU signed by an authorized institutional representative.

21) What was NASA's policy on participation by non-U.S. organizations?

Non-U.S. organization participation was allowed only on a "no exchange of funds" basis consistent with 14 CFR 1260.12(e)(2), unless a specific program element stated otherwise.

22) Where were applicants directed for element-specific rules and required documents?

Applicants were directed to consult the EONS 2011 appendices and the NRA Guidebook for Proposers for program-element-specific rules, required documents, and submission details.

23) Who was the point of contact for general questions about EONS policies and procedures?

General questions were routed to Dr. Carl Person, Manager of MUREP at NASA Headquarters, via NASAEONS2011@nasaprs.com.

24) Were applicants expected to monitor updates or amendments?

Yes. Applicants were encouraged to monitor NSPIRES for amendments and for additional related opportunities.

25) Was a follow-on EONS announcement mentioned?

Yes. The description notes that applicants were encouraged to watch for related opportunities through February 2012, when a follow-on EONS announcement was anticipated.

26) What was distinctive about EONS 2011 as a solicitation approach?

It was described as a pilot approach intended to centralize NASA Office of Education opportunities under one umbrella announcement, rather than issuing separate, standalone opportunities.

27) Which institution types does MUREP explicitly align with in terms of federal mandates and executive orders?

MUREP explicitly aligns with federal mandates and executive orders focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), along with other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

28) Does the opportunity description indicate whether the closing date changed?

For the MSFC Pre Service Teacher Institute listing, it states that the original and current closing date were the same: March 10, 2011.

29) Who was required to submit the proposal?

The proposal had to be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational official.

30) What determines how many projects NASA could fund under an element?

The number of awards depended on proposal quality and NASA program priorities, within the stated total funding ranges per program element.