NASA NOTICE OF INTENT TO RELEASE SUMMER OF INNOVATION PILOT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE | Apply Online

Summer of Innovation Pilot (NASA CAN NNH10ZNE004C) - FAQs

1) What is the name and funding opportunity number of this grant opportunity?

The planned Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) is called the "Summer of Innovation Pilot" under funding opportunity number NNH10ZNE004C.

2) Who is offering this opportunity?

NASA Headquarters announced the planned CAN for the Summer of Innovation Pilot.

3) Is this announcement new, or does it modify something posted earlier?

This notice is a modification to an earlier synopsis posted in January 2010.

4) Does the modification extend the proposal due date?

No. The modification explicitly clarifies that the response due date is not being extended.

5) What is the legal authority for this education opportunity?

NASA describes the opportunity as operating under its education authority at 42 U.S.C. 2486e and the implementing regulations at 14 C.F.R. Part 1259.

6) Why is NASA running the Summer of Innovation pilot?

NASA frames the pilot as responding to the Administrator's determination that improving STEM teaching and learning is a national need, and as a way to expand STEM opportunities for young people by leveraging the excitement of NASA missions and resources.

7) What national priorities does the pilot align with (as described in the notice)?

The notice describes alignment with national priorities and initiatives prominent at the time, including the Educate to Innovate campaign, Race to the Top, and the Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund.

8) What is the core purpose of the Summer of Innovation pilot?

The core purpose is to expand STEM opportunities for young people, strengthen STEM instruction and student engagement, and address summer learning loss by delivering intensive summer learning experiences infused with NASA content and resources.

9) Who is the program intended to serve?

The opportunity emphasizes serving middle school students and educators, with programming designed to broaden participation in STEM by intentionally serving groups historically underrepresented or underserved in STEM fields.

10) Which underrepresented or underserved groups are explicitly mentioned?

The notice specifically mentions females, low-income students, and minority populations.

11) How is the Summer of Innovation pilot structured?

It is described as an intensive summer learning effort that begins and ends with national-level events, while most delivery occurs through state-based implementation.

12) What does NASA mean by "strategic infusion" in this pilot?

The model relies on strategically infusing NASA content, tools, and products into evidence-based summer learning programs already operating in a state.

13) Are there expected nationwide components beyond state programming?

Yes. NASA anticipates nationwide components such as design competitions and flagship events for teachers and students.

14) What broader capacity-building goal does NASA describe for this pilot?

NASA describes using the pilot as a catalyst to expand, align, and strengthen state STEM networks so more middle school students and educators can access NASA-unique, hands-on learning experiences.

15) Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

Only the Lead Institution of a state's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program consortium (Space Grant consortium) may submit a proposal.

16) Can more than one proposal be submitted per state?

No. Each state may submit only one proposal under this opportunity.

17) Why is eligibility restricted to Space Grant lead institutions?

NASA justifies the restriction by citing Space Grant's established statewide networks and capacity to execute quickly under "extreme time constraints."

18) If only the Space Grant lead can apply, are partnerships still expected?

Yes. Even though only the Space Grant lead institution may submit, proposals are expected to be partnership-driven.

19) What kinds of partners are encouraged?

Applicants are encouraged to include public and private partners such as NASA Centers, other federal agencies, universities, museums, nonprofits, for-profits, and other organizations with relevant capabilities.

20) Do partners have to be existing Space Grant consortium members?

No. The notice states that partners do not have to be limited to existing Space Grant consortium members.

21) What does NASA describe as critical for a competitive proposal?

NASA highlights several expectations, including strong statewide partnerships and the ability to scale them; goals clearly aligned to the Summer of Innovation concept; access to STEM professionals across industry, academia, and government (including NASA entities); and involvement of highly qualified educators in designing and delivering the programming.

22) What experience or capacity appears to matter for competitiveness?

The notice signals that experience serving diverse middle school populations, improving academic outcomes, and providing innovative experiential STEM opportunities will matter, along with broad geographic reach, experience implementing statewide STEM programs, and a credible sustainability plan for the state STEM network.

23) What evaluation expectations are mentioned?

Evaluation is described at a high level, with criteria including implementation quality, evaluation strength (including tracking student academic achievement), strategic partnerships, intrinsic merit, sustainability, and cost.

24) Is participant tracking required after the summer program ends?

Yes. A distinguishing requirement is participant tracking beyond the summer program itself.

25) When does participant tracking begin and how long does it continue?

Awardees are expected to start tracking participants in 2010 and continue through 2012.

26) When are reporting outputs expected for the tracking/evaluation?

The notice specifies reporting in 2011 and 2012 on student growth and teacher instructional improvements attributable to the 2010 summer experience.

27) How many awards did NASA anticipate making?

NASA anticipated selecting up to five states for 2010.

28) What is the maximum award amount per selected state?

Individual awards were anticipated to be up to $2 million.

29) What is the period of performance?

The period of performance is described as 36 months.

30) What time period is the funding intended to cover?

The funding is intended to cover the 2010 summer implementation and the subsequent tracking and evaluation period through 2012.

31) Can the award be used to pay for additional summer experiences after 2010?

No. The notice explicitly states the funding is not intended to pay for additional summer experiences after 2010.

32) How does NASA suggest applicants sustain future summer programming after the pilot?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to rely on partner contributions and resources to make future summer programming sustainable after the pilot funds end.

33) What are the key dates listed in the updated timeline?

The notice lists: planned CAN posting around January 27, 2010; a pre-proposal teleconference on February 4, 2010; a non-binding notice of intent due February 5, 2010; proposals due February 26, 2010; and selection and award announcement anticipated in March 2010.

34) Is the notice of intent required, and is it binding?

The notice describes a non-binding notice of intent due February 5, 2010.

35) How should applicants stay updated on the official solicitation and any changes?

Potential applicants are instructed to monitor NASA NSPIRES and Grants.gov for the official solicitation and any amendments.

36) Who is the project point of contact for this opportunity?

The listed project point of contact is Dovie Lacy, NASA Summer of Innovation Project Manager.

37) What email address is provided for the project point of contact?

The notice provides HQ-SummerOfInnovation@mail.nasa.gov for the project point of contact.

38) Are there other contacts for support and questions?

Yes. The notice indicates that additional contacts are provided for support and questions.