Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH09ZTT001N
Apply for NNH09ZTT001N
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN COMBUSTION SCIENCE" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 1, 2009 and posted on May 1, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Notices of Intent are due on June 18, 2009, and proposals are due on August 18, 2009.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- Unrestricted
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
NASA Headquarters, through the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Advanced Capabilities Division, released a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) called "Research Opportunities in Combustion Science" (Funding Opportunity Number NNH09ZTT001N). The purpose of the opportunity is to fund ground-based research that improves the understanding of how materials ignite, burn, and produce combustion byproducts in low-gravity and partial-gravity environments. Although the work proposed under this call is ground-based, the research is framed as a stepping stone that could later support experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), with an emphasis on practical safety needs for crewed spacecraft.
The technical focus centers on fundamental and applied questions about material flammability when gravity is reduced or when flow and orientation change. NASA is looking for studies that examine how gravity level, airflow conditions, and the orientation of a material influence ignition and flame spread, since combustion behavior in microgravity can differ substantially from what is observed on Earth. A major theme is evaluating whether common, Earth-based flammability test methods remain valid for spacecraft-like environments, and if they do not, identifying where they fall short. Alongside that, the solicitation encourages the development and validation of improved test approaches specifically designed to assess material flammability under microgravity and partial-gravity conditions. Another key area is the measurement and quantification of gaseous and particulate combustion products in low gravity, particularly for materials intended for use inside the habitable volume of spacecraft associated with NASA's Constellation program, where smoke toxicity, particle behavior, and contamination risks can be as important as flame spread itself.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity under the broad agency announcement framework described in FAR 6.102(d)(2). NASA indicates it may use either grants or cooperative agreements as the funding instrument, and it explicitly reserves the right to choose the appropriate award mechanism for any proposal that is selected. Cost sharing is not required. The opportunity is open broadly to essentially any category of applicant, including universities, companies, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other government agencies, subject to any eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text.
The timeline for submissions included a Notice of Intent due June 18, 2009, followed by full proposals due August 18, 2009. The solicitation was expected to be available around May 18, 2009 through NASA's NSPIRES portal, accessed via the NASA Research Opportunities homepage. Proposals had to be submitted electronically, and submission was required through NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System). At the time of this announcement, NASA noted that proposals intended for NASA could not be submitted through Grants.gov until further notice, making NSPIRES registration and familiarity with its submission requirements an important practical step for applicants. Organizations needed to register in NSPIRES in advance and designate authorized organizational representatives who could officially submit the application, and principal investigators and other team members also needed to meet system registration requirements.
For applicants needing help locating or accessing the full announcement, the listed contacts included Cassandra Williams (cassandra.williams@nasa.gov) and NAIS Support (nais.support@nasa.gov), with technical or programmatic questions directed to the contacts identified in the full solicitation document.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the name of this NASA funding opportunity?
The opportunity is a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled "Research Opportunities in Combustion Science."
2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH09ZTT001N.
3. Which part of NASA is sponsoring this opportunity?
NASA Headquarters is sponsoring the call through the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), Advanced Capabilities Division.
4. What is the main purpose of the solicitation?
The purpose is to fund ground-based research that improves understanding of how materials ignite, burn, and produce combustion byproducts in low-gravity and partial-gravity environments, with an emphasis on practical fire safety needs for crewed spacecraft.
5. Is this opportunity for flight experiments on the International Space Station (ISS)?
No. The solicitation focuses on ground-based research. However, the research is framed as a stepping stone that could later support ISS experiments.
6. What types of research topics is NASA looking for under this call?
The technical focus centers on fundamental and applied questions about material flammability when gravity is reduced or when flow and orientation change. Specific themes include ignition, flame spread, and combustion byproducts in microgravity and partial-gravity conditions.
7. What variables does NASA emphasize for studying flammability and combustion behavior?
The opportunity highlights studies examining how gravity level, airflow conditions, and the orientation of a material influence ignition and flame spread, since combustion behavior in microgravity can differ substantially from Earth-based observations.
8. Does the solicitation address the validity of standard Earth-based flammability tests?
Yes. A major theme is evaluating whether common, Earth-based flammability test methods remain valid for spacecraft-like environments, and if not, identifying where those methods fall short.
9. Are applicants encouraged to propose new or improved flammability testing approaches?
Yes. The solicitation encourages the development and validation of improved test approaches specifically designed to assess material flammability under microgravity and partial-gravity conditions.
10. Is measurement of smoke, toxicity, or particulate products within scope?
Yes. Another key area is the measurement and quantification of gaseous and particulate combustion products in low gravity, particularly for materials intended for use inside the habitable volume of spacecraft.
11. What spacecraft context is specifically mentioned for the combustion-products work?
The solicitation references materials associated with NASA's Constellation program, emphasizing that smoke toxicity, particle behavior, and contamination risks can be as important as flame spread.
12. What kind of funding mechanism will NASA use?
NASA indicates it may use either grants or cooperative agreements as the funding instrument.
13. Does NASA guarantee a specific award instrument for selected proposals?
No. NASA explicitly reserves the right to choose the appropriate award mechanism (grant or cooperative agreement) for any proposal that is selected.
14. Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not required.
15. What is the contracting/solicitation framework for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity under the broad agency announcement framework described in FAR 6.102(d)(2).
16. Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open broadly to essentially any category of applicant, including universities, companies, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other government agencies, subject to any eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text.
17. When was the Notice of Intent (NOI) due?
The Notice of Intent was due June 18, 2009.
18. When were full proposals due?
Full proposals were due August 18, 2009.
19. Where was the solicitation expected to be posted?
It was expected to be available around May 18, 2009 through NASA's NSPIRES portal, accessed via the NASA Research Opportunities homepage.
20. How were proposals required to be submitted?
Proposals had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System).
21. Could applicants submit this NASA proposal through Grants.gov?
At the time of the announcement, NASA noted that proposals intended for NASA could not be submitted through Grants.gov until further notice, making NSPIRES the required submission route.
22. What registration steps were highlighted as important for applicants?
Organizations needed to register in NSPIRES in advance and designate authorized organizational representatives who could officially submit the application. Principal investigators and other team members also needed to meet NSPIRES registration requirements.
23. Who can help if someone cannot locate or access the full announcement?
The listed contacts for help locating or accessing the full announcement included Cassandra Williams (cassandra.williams@nasa.gov) and NAIS Support (nais.support@nasa.gov).
24. Who should applicants contact for technical or programmatic questions?
Technical or programmatic questions were to be directed to the contacts identified in the full solicitation document.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Acquisition Research Program
Previous opportunity: Empire Ranch Preservation, Interpretation, and Education
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 NNH09ZTT001N
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NNH09ZTT001N) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Acquisition Research Program Apply for NPSBAA09002 Funding Number: NPSBAA09002 Agency: Naval Supply Systems Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Metamaterials for Optical Domain Applications Apply for BAA 09 01 PKS CALL008 Funding Number: BAA 09 01 PKS CALL008 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| N/MEMS ST Fundamentals Apply for DARPA RA 09 42 Funding Number: DARPA RA 09 42 Agency: DARPA Microsystems Technology Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Joint Mathematics/Computer Science Institute Apply for DE PS02 09ER09 22 Funding Number: DE PS02 09ER09 22 Agency: Chicago Service Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU Apply for 09HQPA0032 Funding Number: 09HQPA0032 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Sciences Addressing Asymmetric Explosive Threats Apply for ONRBAA09 022 Funding Number: ONRBAA09 022 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NRL WIDE BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT BAA N00173 01 Apply for BAA N00173 01 Funding Number: BAA N00173 01 Agency: Naval Research Laboratory Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE LIFE SCIENCES FUNDAMENTAL SPACE BIOLOGY ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY Apply for NNH09ZTT003N Funding Number: NNH09ZTT003N Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Academic Research Infrastructure Program Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI R) Apply for 09 562 Funding Number: 09 562 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology Apply for 09 560 Funding Number: 09 560 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Major Research Instrumentation Program Apply for 09 561 Funding Number: 09 561 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Engineering Research Centers Apply for 09 545 Funding Number: 09 545 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Joint NNSA AFRL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Fiscal Year 2010 for Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research Development (Solicitation for Proposals) Apply for DE AR52 09NA29249A Funding Number: DE AR52 09NA29249A Agency: NNSA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Promote Pharmacist Education on Potentially Driver Impairing Drugs Apply for DTNH22 09 R 00249 Funding Number: DTNH22 09 R 00249 Agency: DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| NEOVISION2 Apply for DARPA 09 58 Funding Number: DARPA 09 58 Agency: DARPA Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida/Caribbean CESU Apply for 09HQPA0034 Funding Number: 09HQPA0034 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DOE EPSCoR) Implementation Awards Apply for DE PS02 09ER09 12 Funding Number: DE PS02 09ER09 12 Agency: Chicago Service Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Initiatives at the Naval Postgraduate School Apply for NPSBAA09 003 Funding Number: NPSBAA09 003 Agency: Naval Supply Systems Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary, Multi Institutional Science and Technology Competitions Apply for DHS 09 ST 061 003 Funding Number: DHS 09 ST 061 003 Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Hawaii Pacific Islands CESU Apply for 09HQPA0035 Funding Number: 09HQPA0035 Agency: Geological Survey 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 "NNH09ZTT001N", 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.