Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH12ZDA002C
Apply for NNH12ZDA002C
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA Astrobiology Institute Cycle 6" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.001 Science.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 17, 2011 and posted on Oct 17, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2012. (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:
NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Cycle 6 is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released as a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) to bring in new, team-based research groups as members of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The focus is astrobiology, meaning research on the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, and the solicitation is explicitly tied to NASA's Astrobiology Roadmap, which lays out the program's long-term scientific goals and objectives. Proposing teams are expected to present an innovative, genuinely interdisciplinary research program in astrobiology and, at the same time, show how they will contribute to the broader NAI mission rather than only producing stand-alone research results.
The NAI mission described in the announcement is broad and includes several major expectations beyond research. Teams are asked to advance collaborative, interdisciplinary astrobiology; help train the next generation of astrobiology researchers; provide scientific and technical leadership that can feed into current and future space missions; use modern information technologies to enable collaboration among investigators who may be widely distributed across institutions; and support Education and Public Outreach by contributing scientific content to K-12 programs, teaching undergraduates, and engaging directly with the public. In other words, NASA is looking for teams that can function as active nodes in a larger institute, combining strong science with community-building, workforce development, and outward-facing communication.
A key theme in this cycle is alignment with NASA flight missions and mission planning. Because many Science Mission Directorate (SMD) missions include astrobiology-related objectives, NASA encourages proposals that not only address the Roadmap's long-term questions but also help prepare the astrobiology science portfolio to support the planning and implementation of missions aimed at astrobiological targets. Proposals can target a single Roadmap goal or multiple goals, but either way they must be interdisciplinary. If a proposal is centered on one main question, it should still integrate multiple disciplines and methods in a coherent way. If it spans multiple projects across the Roadmap, it must clearly demonstrate credible scientific connections among those projects rather than presenting a loose collection of unrelated efforts.
Eligibility is intentionally broad in terms of the types of organizations that can participate. Domestic and non-U.S. organizations may propose, including industry, universities, nonprofits, NASA centers, and other government agencies. However, the announcement emphasizes that NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions; non-U.S. entities may participate under a "no exchange of funds" basis and must follow the specific rules in NASA's Guidebook for Proposers and any special instructions about arrangements involving U.S. personnel. For multi-organization teams, the proposal must be submitted by a single Principal Investigator through the business office of the PI's institution, which serves as the Lead Institution, and proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system).
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as discretionary funding for science and technology and other research and development, using a cooperative agreement mechanism (which typically implies substantial NASA involvement compared to a standard grant). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated. The funding opportunity number is NNH12ZDA002C, it was posted on October 17, 2011, and the proposal deadline was January 31, 2012 (with an archive date of March 1, 2012). The CFD A listing is 43.001 (Science). The managing organization is NASA's Science Mission Directorate at Headquarters, which also supports other astrobiology-related investments such as individual investigator awards, instrument and technology development, and small flight payloads and satellites alongside the NAI. The point of contact named for questions is Dr. Mary Voytek, Senior Scientist for Astrobiology at NASA SMD.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Cycle 6?
NAI Cycle 6 is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released as a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) to bring in new, team-based research groups as members of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI).
What is the main scientific focus of this opportunity?
The focus is astrobiology: research on the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
How is this solicitation connected to NASA's Astrobiology Roadmap?
The solicitation is explicitly tied to NASA's Astrobiology Roadmap, which lays out the program's long-term scientific goals and objectives. Proposed work is expected to address Roadmap goals and questions in an interdisciplinary way.
What kind of research approach is NASA expecting from proposing teams?
Teams are expected to present an innovative, genuinely interdisciplinary astrobiology research program. Proposals should integrate multiple disciplines and methods in a coherent way rather than offering separate, stand-alone efforts.
Is this opportunity intended for individual investigators or teams?
This opportunity is designed for team-based research groups that will function as active members (nodes) of a larger institute, not just as isolated research projects.
What does NASA mean by contributing to the broader NAI mission?
Beyond producing research results, teams are expected to help advance collaborative, interdisciplinary astrobiology; support training for the next generation of researchers; provide scientific and technical leadership relevant to missions; use modern information technologies to enable collaboration across distributed institutions; and support Education and Public Outreach activities.
What non-research activities are emphasized in the NAI mission description?
The announcement highlights expectations such as training and workforce development, scientific and technical leadership that can inform current and future space missions, use of information technology to support collaboration across institutions, and Education and Public Outreach through contributions to K-12 programs, undergraduate teaching, and public engagement.
How important is alignment with NASA flight missions in this cycle?
Alignment with NASA flight missions and mission planning is a key theme. NASA encourages proposals that support planning and implementation of missions aimed at astrobiological targets, especially since many Science Mission Directorate (SMD) missions include astrobiology-related objectives.
Can a proposal focus on a single Astrobiology Roadmap goal?
Yes. Proposals can target a single Roadmap goal, but they still must be interdisciplinary and integrate multiple disciplines and methods in a coherent way.
Can a proposal address multiple Roadmap goals or include multiple projects?
Yes. Proposals may span multiple projects across the Roadmap, but they must clearly demonstrate credible scientific connections among those projects rather than presenting a loose collection of unrelated efforts.
Who is eligible to participate in NAI Cycle 6?
Eligibility is broad. Domestic and non-U.S. organizations may propose, including industry, universities, nonprofits, NASA centers, and other government agencies, subject to the funding and participation rules described in the announcement.
Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to be part of a team?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities may participate, but the announcement emphasizes that NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. participation may be allowed on a "no exchange of funds" basis and must follow NASA's Guidebook for Proposers and any special instructions about arrangements involving U.S. personnel.
Does NASA fund non-U.S. institutions under this opportunity?
The announcement states that NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. entities may participate under a "no exchange of funds" basis, following the applicable NASA rules and guidance referenced in the opportunity.
How should a multi-organization team submit its proposal?
The proposal must be submitted by a single Principal Investigator (PI) through the business office of the PI's institution. That institution serves as the Lead Institution for the team.
Is there a registration requirement for submitting organizations?
Yes. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES, NASA's proposal system.
What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism. The announcement notes that a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial NASA involvement compared to a standard grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
What is the funding opportunity number for NAI Cycle 6?
The funding opportunity number is NNH12ZDA002C.
When was this opportunity posted and when were proposals due?
It was posted on October 17, 2011. The proposal deadline was January 31, 2012. The archive date was March 1, 2012.
What is the CFDA listing associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA listing is 43.001 (Science).
Which NASA organization manages this opportunity?
The managing organization is NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) at Headquarters.
How does the NAI fit within NASA's broader astrobiology investments?
The announcement notes that SMD supports other astrobiology-related investments alongside the NAI, including individual investigator awards, instrument and technology development, and small flight payloads and satellites.
Who is the point of contact for questions about this opportunity?
The named point of contact is Dr. Mary Voytek, Senior Scientist for Astrobiology at NASA SMD.
What general category of funding is this listed under?
It is listed as discretionary funding for science and technology and other research and development.
What role does information technology play in expectations for teams?
Teams are expected to use modern information technologies to enable collaboration among investigators who may be widely distributed across institutions.
What kinds of Education and Public Outreach (EPO) contributions are mentioned?
The announcement mentions contributing scientific content to K-12 programs, teaching undergraduates, and engaging directly with the public as part of Education and Public Outreach expectations.
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