FY 2015 NASA EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE {CAN} | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the FY 2015 NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN). It is a discretionary solicitation issued by NASA Headquarters under funding opportunity number NNH16ZHA001C.

What is the program trying to achieve?

The solicitation is designed to strengthen research and development competitiveness in eligible EPSCoR jurisdictions that historically receive a smaller share of federal R&D funding, while aligning those efforts with NASA mission priorities. The emphasis is on building lasting capability (not just supporting isolated, stand-alone projects).

What are the specific objectives of the NASA EPSCoR CAN?

Based on the notice description, the objectives include:

• Developing and expanding research capability in EPSCoR jurisdictions in areas that are strategically important to NASA.
• Improving the ability of institutions and jurisdictions to attract follow-on support from outside the NASA EPSCoR program.
• Encouraging partnerships that connect NASA research assets with universities and industry.
• Enhancing research infrastructure and broader science and technology capacity that also supports higher education and economic development within the jurisdiction.
• Coordinating closely with the jurisdiction's Space Grant consortium to strengthen the overall environment for STEM education.

What kind of award instrument is used?

Awards are offered as cooperative agreements. This means NASA expects substantial involvement during the project.

How many awards does NASA expect to make?

NASA anticipates making about 5 awards under this solicitation.

How much funding is available per award?

Each award can provide up to $750,000 in total funding.

How long is the project period?

The project period is up to 36 months.

Is this a competitive opportunity?

Yes. Proposals are selected through a merit-based, peer-review competition.

What is the CFDA number and funding category listed for this opportunity?

The program is listed under CFDA 43.008, and the funding activity category is identified as Education.

Who is eligible to submit an application?

Eligibility is intentionally narrow and governed by Public Law 102-588. Applications can only be submitted by the official NASA EPSCoR Directors (25 total) at their designated lead institutions. Individual faculty members or universities cannot apply independently unless submitting through the official EPSCoR Director for the jurisdiction.

What applicant type is identified in the opportunity?

The eligible applicant type is identified as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, reflecting how EPSCoR is administered through designated lead institutions in each jurisdiction.

How many proposals can each jurisdiction submit?

Most eligible jurisdictions are limited to submitting one proposal each under this solicitation.

Which jurisdictions are eligible to submit one proposal?

The following jurisdictions are listed as eligible for one proposal:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Are any jurisdictions allowed to submit more than one proposal?

Yes, two jurisdictions have special allowances:

• South Carolina may submit up to two proposals, as long as at least one represents a project from the U.S. Virgin Islands (which is under South Carolina's EPSCoR jurisdiction).
• Hawaii may submit up to two proposals, as long as at least one represents a project from Guam (which is under Hawaii's EPSCoR jurisdiction).

How does Space Grant relate to this solicitation?

The objectives explicitly include coordinating closely with the jurisdiction's Space Grant consortium to strengthen the overall environment for STEM education. In other words, NASA EPSCoR expects alignment and coordination with Space Grant efforts as part of building a stronger STEM ecosystem.

What kinds of outcomes does NASA EPSCoR appear to prioritize?

The solicitation description points toward projects that leave behind durable capacity, such as stronger research teams, improved facilities or infrastructure, meaningful collaborations (including partnerships linking NASA assets with universities and industry), and strengthened pipelines of students and researchers, while staying aligned with NASA mission priorities.

When was this opportunity posted and created?

The opportunity was posted and created on December 14, 2015.

What is the closing date for submissions?

The original and current closing date is March 18, 2016.

Is this solicitation run at NASA Headquarters or a NASA Center?

It is described as a discretionary NASA Headquarters solicitation.

What does "EPSCoR jurisdiction" mean in the context of this solicitation?

In this context, an EPSCoR jurisdiction refers to an eligible state or territory identified under the EPSCoR framework. The solicitation also notes jurisdictional administration details, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands being under South Carolina's EPSCoR jurisdiction and Guam being under Hawaii's EPSCoR jurisdiction for proposal submission purposes.