RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE BIOLOGY | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NASA Research Opportunities in Space Biology (NNH11ZTT002N)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is NASA's "Research Opportunities in Space Biology," issued as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) under Funding Opportunity Number NNH11ZTT002N. It invites hypothesis-driven research proposals focused on how living systems adapt to the spaceflight environment.

2) What kinds of science is NASA trying to fund through this NRA?

NASA is seeking fundamental, mechanism-based space biology research that explains how cells, plants, and animals respond to spaceflight-related stressors such as altered gravity, radiation, and general flight stress. The emphasis is on modern biological approaches (for example, genetics, proteomics, and metabolomics) that can uncover underlying mechanisms rather than only reporting observations.

3) What are the main goals NASA wants the research results to support?

NASA describes two main purposes for the results: (1) building a scientific foundation for countermeasures that support long-duration human exploration, and (2) generating discoveries or biological tools that could translate into useful applications on Earth.

4) What types of projects are supported?

The solicitation supports two main types of work: (1) ground-based space biology research and (2) flight research.

5) What does NASA mean by "hypothesis-driven" in this context?

Proposals are expected to clearly state a testable hypothesis and pursue research designed to evaluate that hypothesis. For ground-based studies specifically, NASA states the work cannot be purely descriptive or open-ended.

6) What is NASA specifically interested in for ground-based studies?

For ground-based work, NASA is specifically interested in experiments using cells, tissues, or whole animals that deepen understanding of how gravity affects the mammalian musculoskeletal system.

7) Are purely descriptive ground studies eligible?

No. NASA explicitly states that ground-based proposals cannot be purely descriptive or open-ended. They must include a clear, testable hypothesis and a credible approach.

8) Do ground-based proposals need to connect to future spaceflight experiments?

Yes. Ground studies are expected to function as rigorous precursors that mature questions and methods to the point where they can eventually be executed in spaceflight. NASA indicates ground proposals should lay out a credible path that would lead to eventual hypothesis testing in spaceflight (for example, on the International Space Station or another appropriate platform).

9) What does the NRA emphasize for flight studies?

For flight studies, the opportunity emphasizes "rapid turnaround" experiments using plants or Petri-dish-based biological systems.

10) What flight hardware must be used for flight proposals?

Flight proposals must be designed around specific hardware identified in the announcement: either the Advanced Biological Research System (ABRS) on the International Space Station (ISS) or the Biological Research in Canisters - Petri Dish Fixation Unit (BRIC PDFU). BRIC PDFU may fly on several possible platforms depending on scientific needs and availability.

11) Can a flight proposal request different flight equipment or facilities not listed in the NRA?

No. NASA states that proposals requiring flight equipment, facilities, or other resources not identified in the NRA will not be considered. This means investigators must tailor their flight experiment designs to the supported, existing capabilities (ABRS or BRIC PDFU).

12) What feasibility expectations apply to flight proposals?

Flight proposals must demonstrate a high level of feasibility. NASA indicates the proposal must show, based on ground data and/or prior flight results, that the experiment is likely to succeed operationally and scientifically.

13) Where and how do proposals need to be submitted?

Proposals must be submitted electronically through either NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or Grants.gov.

14) Is NSPIRES registration required?

Yes. Registration in NSPIRES is required for any organization intending to submit. The NSPIRES registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) responsible for submitting proposals.

15) Does NASA recommend any administrative steps before the deadline?

Yes. Organizations are urged to register early and to familiarize themselves with the submission systems (NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov) well ahead of the deadlines.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is broadly open to all categories of U.S. institutions, including universities, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, other government agencies, and other eligible U.S. organizations.

17) Are collaborations allowed, including with international partners?

Yes. Collaboration is encouraged and may include partners from federal laboratories, the private sector, state and local labs, and international entities. NASA notes that the proposing U.S. organization remains responsible for submission and compliance requirements.

18) What is the CFDA number and program listing for this opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity under CFDA 43.003 (Exploration).

19) What award type will NASA use (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

NASA indicates awards can be made as either a grant or a cooperative agreement, and NASA reserves the right to choose the appropriate award instrument for selected proposals.

20) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided for this opportunity.

21) What are the key dates mentioned for this NRA?

The announcement was posted on September 16, 2011. The solicitation was expected to be available around September 30, 2011. Notices of Intent were due October 31, 2011. Full proposals were due January 6, 2012. The archive date was September 16, 2012.

22) Who should be contacted for overall programmatic questions?

For overall programmatic information, NASA lists Dr. David Tomko at NASA Headquarters as the point of contact.

23) Who should be contacted about BRIC PDFU or ABRS flight hardware questions?

For questions about BRIC and ABRS hardware, NASA lists Dr. Howard G. Levine at Kennedy Space Center.

24) Who should be contacted about ground research using cells or animals?

For questions related to ground research with cells or animals, NASA lists Dr. Jacob Cohen at Ames Research Center.

25) Who should be contacted about contracting or award-instrument questions?

For contracting and award-instrument questions, NASA lists Cassandra Williams at the NASA Shared Services Center.