MINORITY UNDERGRADUATES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECT | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this NASA funding opportunity about?

This opportunity is for a single organization to run and oversee NASA's Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST) Project under a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN). The selected organization would administer the scholarship program and deliver the supporting program experience for participating undergraduate scholars.

2) Is this funding meant for individual students to apply for directly?

No. This posting is not for individual students. NASA is seeking an external administering partner (an organization) that can manage the full MUST scholarship program on NASA's behalf, including day-to-day operations and student-facing programming.

3) What is the MUST Project?

MUST is framed as a competitive scholarship program for undergraduate students. It places particular emphasis on rising sophomores and juniors from underrepresented and underserved groups in STEM fields.

4) What does NASA expect the selected organization to do?

The selected recipient is expected to manage, administer, and provide the support structure for MUST. That includes staffing and operational responsibilities and developing and delivering program content. NASA indicates the recipient should do more than distribute scholarship funds by building the surrounding program experience that supports scholar engagement, professional growth, and connection to NASA-related missions and workforce needs.

5) What program activities are specifically mentioned?

NASA specifically calls out developing and delivering the annual in-person scholar orientation and other professional development opportunities for participating students.

6) What are the core objectives of the MUST Project?

NASA lists three core objectives: (1) strengthening NASA and the nation's future workforce pipelines, (2) attracting and retaining students in STEM disciplines, and (3) engaging Americans in NASA's mission.

7) Which students are the scholarship program focused on?

The scholarship emphasis is on rising sophomores and juniors, with a particular focus on students from underrepresented and underserved groups in STEM.

8) Are proposals from outside the United States eligible?

No. Proposals from outside the United States will not be considered.

9) Are there citizenship restrictions tied to the scholarship funds supported under this program?

Yes. NASA education and training funds are restricted to supporting U.S. citizens, consistent with 14 CFR 1260.12(c)(2) and (c)(3).

10) Can the selected organization earn a profit from this cooperative agreement?

No. The selected organization cannot earn a profit from the cooperative agreement, consistent with the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook (NPR 5800.1).

11) What rules and terms are applicants expected to follow?

Applicants are expected to follow the terms and conditions in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook (NPR 5800.1), as referenced in the opportunity description.

12) How will NASA evaluate proposals?

NASA indicates that an offeror's relevant current and past performance will be part of the evaluation. The full set of evaluation factors is expected to be spelled out in the CAN itself.

13) Where can applicants find the full solicitation details?

The detailed solicitation, including the exact submission location and deadline, is provided through NASA's NSPIRES system (the NASA Research Opportunities homepage). Interested parties are responsible for downloading the solicitation and any amendments directly from NSPIRES.

14) Do applicants need to monitor NSPIRES after downloading the solicitation?

Yes. NASA notes that changes may be issued through amendments, and interested parties are responsible for monitoring NSPIRES for updates.

15) What happens if a proposal is submitted after the deadline?

Proposals submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.

16) Is the closing date listed in the summary the final due date?

The listing shows a current closing date of October 8, 2010, but it also notes that final due-date instructions are contained in the CAN. Applicants should rely on the CAN for definitive deadline instructions.

17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NNC10ZNE006C.

18) What type of funding is this and what instrument will be used?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument under the education activity category.

19) How many awards does NASA anticipate making?

NASA anticipates making one award.

20) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the listing.

21) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 25, 2010.

22) Who is the point of contact for this opportunity?

The contact listed is Saundra R. Gage (Saundra.R.Gage@nasa.gov), NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Mail Stop 60-1, Cleveland, OH 44135.

23) Who can help with electronic access to the announcement?

NAIS Support (nais.support@nasa.gov) is available for help accessing the announcement electronically.

24) Where is recipient eligibility determined?

Recipient eligibility is ultimately determined by the requirements described in the Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN).

25) What is the role of the administering partner in relation to NASA's goals?

Based on the description, the administering partner is expected to create and manage a scholarship-and-development program model that supports STEM persistence, professional readiness, and alignment with NASA-related missions and workforce needs, while also helping advance NASA's stated objectives for workforce pipelines and public engagement.