Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH12ZUA004N
Apply for NNH12ZUA004N
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA OFFICE OF THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST NASA INNOVATIVE ADVANCED CONCEPTS PHASE II NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT 2012" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.009 Cross Agency Support.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 4, 2012 and posted on Apr 4, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 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).
- (see Description below or Full Announcement for clarification)
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
NASA Headquarters, through the Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT), issued a 2012 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II studies under funding opportunity number NNH12ZUA004N. The purpose of the solicitation is to fund multiple follow-on studies that take unusually innovative aerospace ideas and push them further, with the explicit intent of exploring concepts that could fundamentally expand what is possible in aeronautics or space exploration. The emphasis is on big, far-term ideas that are still grounded in credible science and engineering, not on near-term product development. In other words, NIAC Phase II is meant to mature bold mission architectures, system-level concepts, or transformational approaches rather than polish existing technologies.
A key feature of this opportunity is its focus on architecture-, mission-, or system-level innovation. NASA is looking for proposals that are exciting, largely unexplored, and aimed at longer-horizon impacts, while still being technically believable. The announcement clearly draws a line around what is not appropriate: narrow technology work, subsystem-only development, and incremental improvements are out of scope. NIAC is willing to tolerate higher risk than many other programs because the payoff could be game-changing, but that risk tolerance is not a substitute for rigor; proposals must rest on sound scientific principles and demonstrate credible reasoning, analysis, and feasibility arguments. The solicitation points to prior NIAC Phase II efforts as examples of the kind of output NIAC values, including proof-of-concept style studies such as MIT work on the Astronaut Bio-Suit and a study on novel Mars cave habitation and science exploration methods.
Eligibility is intentionally limited. NIAC Phase II proposals can be submitted by current NIAC Phase I Fellows (or their designees) and must be based on their Phase I study results. In addition, individuals connected to the predecessor program, the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC), may also be eligible to propose a Phase II that builds on an earlier Phase I, but only if specific conditions are met: the Phase I final report must have been submitted, and either (1) a Phase II award was never made from that Phase I, or (2) a Phase II was awarded but not completed because funding was interrupted or not provided when the older institute was terminated. This structure reinforces NIAC Phase II as a continuation mechanism, designed to deepen and extend validated Phase I concept investigations rather than serve as an open-entry research competition.
From an application mechanics standpoint, NASA planned to make the full solicitation available starting April 19, 2012 through the NASA Research Opportunities homepage, using the NSPIRES system (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) at http://nspires.nasaprs.com. Proposals had to be submitted electronically via NSPIRES, and NASA encouraged prospective applicants to log in early to re-familiarize themselves with the system and complete required organizational and proposal data well before the deadline. The Phase II proposal length was specified as 20 pages, with the detailed evaluation criteria, required content, and submission instructions to be provided in the full NRA text.
The posting details frame this as a discretionary funding opportunity categorized under science and technology and other research and development, with CFDA number 43.009 and no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted April 4, 2012, with a proposal due date of May 31, 2012 (the original and current closing date), and an archive date listed as April 4, 2013. Applicants with questions were directed to contact NIAC program representatives by email at hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov, with NASA indicating that answers would be provided by email and also collected into a publicly available FAQ associated with the solicitation in NSPIRES, while preserving the anonymity of individuals and institutions submitting questions. For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact points included John (Jay) Falker, PhD, via the same NIAC email, and NAIS Support at nais.support@nasa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is a 2012 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) issued by NASA Headquarters through the Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) for NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II studies. The funding opportunity number is NNH12ZUA004N.
2) What is the purpose of NIAC Phase II funding?
The purpose is to fund multiple follow-on studies that take unusually innovative aerospace ideas and push them further, specifically to explore concepts that could fundamentally expand what is possible in aeronautics or space exploration. NIAC Phase II is intended to mature bold mission architectures, system-level concepts, or transformational approaches based on Phase I results.
3) What kind of ideas is NIAC Phase II looking for?
NIAC Phase II emphasizes big, far-term ideas that remain grounded in credible science and engineering. NASA is looking for proposals that are exciting, largely unexplored, architecture-, mission-, or system-level in nature, and aimed at longer-horizon impacts while still being technically believable.
4) What is explicitly out of scope for NIAC Phase II?
The announcement draws a clear line around what is not appropriate. Out-of-scope work includes narrow technology efforts, subsystem-only development, and incremental improvements. The program is not intended for near-term product development or for polishing existing technologies.
5) How does NIAC treat risk and feasibility?
NIAC is willing to tolerate higher risk than many other programs because the potential payoff could be game-changing. However, that risk tolerance does not replace rigor. Proposals must rest on sound scientific principles and present credible reasoning, analysis, and feasibility arguments.
6) Are there examples of the type of work NIAC values?
Yes. The solicitation points to prior NIAC Phase II efforts as examples of valued outputs, including proof-of-concept style studies such as MIT work on the Astronaut Bio-Suit and a study on novel Mars cave habitation and science exploration methods.
7) Who is eligible to submit a NIAC Phase II proposal?
Eligibility is intentionally limited. NIAC Phase II proposals can be submitted by current NIAC Phase I Fellows (or their designees) and must be based on their Phase I study results.
8) Can people associated with the earlier NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program apply?
Individuals connected to the predecessor NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts program may be eligible to propose a Phase II that builds on an earlier Phase I, but only if specific conditions are met.
9) What conditions must be met for predecessor-program eligibility?
The Phase I final report must have been submitted, and one of the following must be true: (1) a Phase II award was never made from that Phase I, or (2) a Phase II was awarded but not completed because funding was interrupted or not provided when the older institute was terminated.
10) Is NIAC Phase II an open-entry competition for new applicants?
No. Based on the posted information, NIAC Phase II functions as a continuation mechanism. It is designed to deepen and extend validated Phase I concept investigations rather than serve as an open-entry research competition.
11) Where was the full solicitation expected to be posted?
NASA planned to make the full solicitation available starting April 19, 2012 through the NASA Research Opportunities homepage, using the NSPIRES system (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) at http://nspires.nasaprs.com.
12) How were proposals required to be submitted?
Proposals had to be submitted electronically via NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System).
13) Did NASA provide any advice about using NSPIRES?
Yes. NASA encouraged prospective applicants to log in early to re-familiarize themselves with the system and to complete required organizational and proposal data well before the deadline.
14) What was the required proposal length for Phase II?
The Phase II proposal length was specified as 20 pages. The detailed evaluation criteria, required content, and submission instructions were to be provided in the full NRA text.
15) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this discretionary funding opportunity is 43.009.
16) What funding categories does this opportunity fall under?
The posting categorizes this opportunity under science and technology and other research and development.
17) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
No. The posting states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
18) What were the key dates (posting date, due date, and archive date)?
The opportunity was posted on April 4, 2012. The proposal due date was May 31, 2012 (listed as both the original and current closing date). The archive date was listed as April 4, 2013.
19) Who should applicants contact with questions about the solicitation?
Applicants with questions were directed to contact NIAC program representatives by email at hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov.
20) How would NASA handle and share answers to submitted questions?
NASA indicated that answers would be provided by email and also collected into a publicly available FAQ associated with the solicitation in NSPIRES, while preserving the anonymity of individuals and institutions submitting questions.
21) Who can be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?
For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact points included John (Jay) Falker, PhD, via hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov, and NAIS Support at nais.support@nasa.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: BLM UT GSENM KAIPAROWITS CRITICAL DINOSAUR FOSSIL/SITE PROTECTION PROJECT
Previous opportunity: FY 2012 New Mexico CIG Program Funding Announcement
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NNH12ZUA004N
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NNH12ZUA004N) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Sensor Innovative Research Apply for BAA 12 02 PKS Funding Number: BAA 12 02 PKS Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Earthscope Apply for 12 550 Funding Number: 12 550 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| International Research Experiences for Students Apply for 12 551 Funding Number: 12 551 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Computational and Data Enabled Science and Engineering (CDSE) in Engineering Apply for 12 549 Funding Number: 12 549 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DARPA Robotics Challenge Apply for DARPA BAA 12 39 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 12 39 Agency: DARPA Tactical Technology Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (PASCC) at The Naval Postgraduate School Apply for NPS BAA 12 003 Funding Number: NPS BAA 12 003 Agency: Naval Supply Systems Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 IceBridge Apply for NNH12ZDA001N ICEB Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N ICEB Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Near Earth Object Observations Apply for NNH12ZDA001N NEOO Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N NEOO Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ACQUISITION RESEARCH PROGRAM AT THE NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Apply for NPS BAA 12 002 Funding Number: NPS BAA 12 002 Agency: Naval Supply Systems Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU Apply for G12AS20022 Funding Number: G12AS20022 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine II (AFIRM II) Apply for W81XWH 13 AFIRM IIRP Funding Number: W81XWH 13 AFIRM IIRP Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Collaborative Research in Fusion Energy Sciences on Foreign Research Facilities Apply for DE FOA 0000714 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000714 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Chip Scale Combinatorial Atomic Navigator (C SCAN) Apply for DARPA BAA 12 44 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 12 44 Agency: DARPA Microsystems Technology Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOD FY12 Lung Cancer Research Program Idea Development Award Apply for W81XWH 12 LCRP IDA Funding Number: W81XWH 12 LCRP IDA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOD FY12 Lung Cancer Translational Research Partnership Award Apply for W81XWH 12 LCRP TRPA Funding Number: W81XWH 12 LCRP TRPA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Planetary Geology and Geophysics Apply for NNH12ZDA001N PGG Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N PGG Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering Apply for 12 552 Funding Number: 12 552 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Precipitation Measurement Missions Science Team Apply for NNH12ZDA001N PMM Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N PMM Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Thermal Transport Processes Apply for PD 13 1406 Funding Number: PD 13 1406 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Combustion, Fire, and Plasma Systems Apply for PD 13 1407 Funding Number: PD 13 1407 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NNH12ZUA004N", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.