Tribal Colleges and Universities Project (TCUP) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA Tribal Colleges and Universities Project (TCUP)

1) What is the NASA Tribal Colleges and Universities Project (TCUP)?

TCUP is a NASA cooperative agreement funding opportunity run through NASA Headquarters and the NASA Office of Education. Its purpose is to strengthen NASA's ability to provide meaningful education and research opportunities to Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), with the long-term goal of increasing the number of TCU graduates who move into NASA-related careers and the broader national STEM workforce.

2) What is the primary goal of TCUP?

The primary goal is capacity-building for TCUs in STEM, in ways that support sustained institutional growth and create pathways for students into NASA-related careers and the national STEM workforce.

3) What types of projects or activities can TCUP support?

NASA indicates that TCUP projects may include:

• Capacity building and institutional development (e.g., strengthening academic programs, faculty development, curriculum improvements, and partnerships)
• Infrastructure development (e.g., building or upgrading facilities, laboratories, equipment, or other technical resources that enable hands-on STEM learning and research)
• Student-focused opportunities (e.g., internships, fellowships, and research experiences)
• Outreach and information exchange (e.g., community engagement, STEM awareness, collaboration networks among TCUs and NASA, and sharing best practices/lessons learned/results)

4) Does TCUP focus more on education, research, or both?

Based on the notice description, TCUP is designed to support both education and research-related opportunities, particularly where they strengthen long-term STEM capability at TCUs and expand student experiences such as research and internships.

5) What does NASA mean by "capacity building" under TCUP?

As described, capacity building can include strengthening academic programs, faculty development, curriculum improvements, and partnerships. The emphasis is on helping institutions grow and sustain STEM capability over time.

6) What does NASA mean by "infrastructure development" in this opportunity?

Infrastructure development may include building or upgrading facilities, laboratories, equipment, or other technical resources that enable hands-on STEM learning and research.

7) Are student internships, fellowships, or research experiences allowed under TCUP?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly notes that projects may include direct student-focused opportunities such as internships, fellowships, and research experiences.

8) Can proposals include outreach, community engagement, or STEM awareness activities?

Yes. The program emphasizes outreach and information exchange, and proposals can incorporate community engagement and STEM awareness efforts.

9) What is meant by "information exchange" in the TCUP description?

The notice indicates proposals can include mechanisms for collaboration and sharing best practices, lessons learned, and program results, including collaboration networks among TCUs and NASA.

10) How many awards does NASA expect to make?

NASA expects to make up to approximately eight awards under this Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN).

11) How much funding is available per award?

The notice describes awards in a range that can reach about $1.4 million per year over a three-year period of performance. NASA also reserves the right to issue full or partial awards depending on proposal scope, merit, and available funding.

12) What is the total estimated funding for this opportunity?

The total estimated funding listed for the opportunity is $4.2 million.

13) What is the project duration or period of performance?

The notice describes a three-year period of performance for awards under this opportunity.

14) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

15) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?

The notice explains that a cooperative agreement typically means NASA expects to have substantial involvement during the project period, such as collaboration, guidance, or shared programmatic responsibilities, compared with a standard grant.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is focused on Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as well as other organizations that can demonstrate substantial expertise and experience in serving TCUs.

17) Are non-TCU organizations allowed to apply?

The listing indicates that, in addition to TCUs, other organizations may be eligible if they can demonstrate substantial expertise and experience in serving TCUs.

18) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing explicitly notes that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

19) What is the funding opportunity number for this TCUP notice?

The funding opportunity number is NNG10ZNE005C.

20) What is the official title of the opportunity?

The title is "Tribal Colleges and Universities Project (TCUP)".

21) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on May 10, 2010.

22) What is the application closing date?

The application closing date listed is June 20, 2010.

23) When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed is July 20, 2010.

24) What is the funding category or activity area for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, with a funding activity category tied to science and technology and other research and development.

25) Under what authority would the cooperative agreements be awarded?

NASA indicated the cooperative agreements would be awarded under the authority of section 1260.12(d) of the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook.

26) Who is the point of contact for applicant support or access issues?

The listed point of contact is Dr. Nancy G. Maynard, Manager of the Tribal Colleges and Universities Project.

27) Does NASA allow partial awards under this notice?

Yes. NASA reserves the right to issue full or partial awards depending on proposal scope, merit, and available funding.

28) What overall outcomes is TCUP trying to create?

TCUP is intended to strengthen STEM capability at TCUs and ultimately increase the number of TCU graduates who move into NASA-related careers and into the broader national STEM workforce.