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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) - SpaceTech REDDI 2014

1) What is NIAC?

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is a Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) funding opportunity focused on very early stage, high risk, high reward ideas for future aeronautics and space systems. The emphasis is on visionary concepts that are still at the point of establishing fundamental feasibility and building a credible technical case.

2) How does NIAC relate to SpaceTech REDDI 2014?

NIAC is offered as part of a larger umbrella solicitation called Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech REDDI 2014). Under this umbrella approach, NASA can release specific topic appendices over time as priorities and funding become available, instead of publishing one single topic list only once per year.

3) What do the umbrella solicitation and appendices mean for applicants?

The umbrella solicitation provides an overall framework, but many details (such as eligibility rules, required proposal contents, evaluation criteria, budget expectations, and anticipated number of awards) are not fully defined in the umbrella text. Those specifics are provided in each appendix when it is released. If you are applying to NIAC, you need to read the relevant NIAC appendix (Phase I or Phase II) rather than relying on the umbrella summary alone.

4) What Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) does NIAC target?

NIAC specifically targets the earliest Technology Readiness Levels, TRL 1 through TRL 3. This generally corresponds to research aimed at proving fundamental feasibility and developing a credible technical rationale for a concept that is still largely visionary.

5) How is NIAC structured (Phase I vs. Phase II)?

NIAC is organized into two steps under the umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA):

• Appendix A1 (NIAC Phase I): Supports initial concept studies to clarify the idea, identify the hardest technical barriers, and outline what would be needed to move forward.
• Appendix A2 (NIAC Phase II): Intended for concepts that have demonstrated enough promise in earlier work to justify a deeper, more rigorous follow-on study.

6) Where does NIAC fit in NASA STMD's overall technology pipeline?

NIAC sits at the earliest part of NASA's broader STMD pipeline. The announcement describes a progression from early feasibility work (roughly TRL 1 to 3), to competitive ground development and testing (roughly TRL 3 to 5), and then to flight demonstration in relevant environments (roughly TRL 5 to 7) before a technology is ready to be infused into a mission.

7) What type of solicitation is this?

This opportunity is run as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA), described as an R&D-style broad agency announcement under FAR 35.016 and NFS 1835.016. In practical terms, NASA is seeking strong technical ideas and sound research plans, and selections depend on proposal quality and the availability of funds.

8) Is this definitely a grant program?

Not necessarily. Although the opportunity may appear on Grants.gov or FedBizOpps, NASA notes it can choose the appropriate award instrument for selected proposals. That can include grants, cooperative agreements, or procurement contracts.

9) Who is allowed to participate?

Participation is intended to be broadly open across organization types, including industry, universities, nonprofits, NASA centers, and other government agencies.

10) Can foreign entities participate?

Foreign entities can participate or partner only in ways that do not involve an exchange of NASA funding. The opportunity description flags this caveat, and applicants should review the applicable appendix requirements for specifics.

11) Where do I find the detailed eligibility rules and proposal requirements?

The umbrella announcement does not fully define items like detailed eligibility rules, proposal content requirements, evaluation criteria, expected budgets, or anticipated number of awards. Those details are provided within each appendix as it is released. For NIAC, that means reviewing the Phase I appendix (A1) or Phase II appendix (A2) instructions.

12) How do I submit an application?

Applications must be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov, but registration in NSPIRES is required in all cases.

13) If I submit through Grants.gov, do I still need NSPIRES?

Yes. The information provided states that even if you submit via Grants.gov, NSPIRES registration is still required.

14) Who needs to register in NSPIRES?

Applicants are expected to register principal investigators and other team members ahead of time. Organizations must also identify authorized organizational representatives who are permitted to submit proposals.

15) Why does NASA encourage early registration and monitoring?

Because appendices can be released over time and have their own due dates and instructions, NASA strongly encourages applicants to get into the system early, confirm registrations, and monitor NSPIRES for updates or new appendix releases.

16) What guidebook does NASA reference for standard rules and formatting?

NASA points proposers to the agency's NRA Guidebook (January 2013 edition) for standard policies, procedures, and formatting expectations.

17) What is the funding opportunity number for this posting?

The funding opportunity number provided is NNH14ZOA001N, listed as 14NIAC.

18) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The posting is categorized as discretionary research and development funding under CFDA 43.009 (Cross Agency Support).

19) What were the key dates shown for this cycle?

• Posted: November 18, 2013
• Closing date (original and current): December 18, 2013
• Archive date: January 17, 2014

20) When was SpaceTech REDDI 2014 planned to be posted and how long was it expected to remain open?

NASA planned to post SpaceTech REDDI 2014 around November 1, 2013 and keep it open for about a year, through October 2014.

21) Who are the points of contact listed?

The posting lists Bonnie F. James (STMD Senior Investment Strategist) for questions about the broader SpaceTech REDDI solicitation. It also lists NIAC contact support routes including hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov, and mentions NAIS support for technical access issues.

22) What is the best way to track the opportunity and new appendices?

The most reliable way described is to track it through NSPIRES under the open solicitation listing for the umbrella NRA and the list of open program elements.

23) Are the budgets, award counts, and evaluation criteria available in the summary provided?

No. The summary indicates that these specifics are not fully defined in the umbrella text and are instead provided inside each appendix as it is released.

24) Why does NASA use the appendix-based umbrella approach?

The stated purpose is to allow NASA to release individual topic appendices over time as priorities and funding become available, rather than requiring everyone to wait for a single, once-a-year topic list.