NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Grant for Materials Science Research Leading to ISS Experiments

Proposals are solicited by the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Advanced Capabilities Division for hypothesis-driven materials science research investigations in the following areas: thermophysical data, microstructural development and morphological evolution. This call is for ground-based research that may eventually lead to research on the International Space Station (ISS). Because some of the selections may be considered for a future flight experiment, the proposers must show a clear path from the proposed ground-based research to an experiment that can feasibly be conducted in the Low Gradient Furnace (LGF) or the Solidification and Quenching Furnace (SQF) on the ISS.

Proposals submitted in response to this NRA will use a two-step process. Only PIs submitting Step-1 proposals determined to be relevant to the solicited research of this NRA will be invited to submit full Step-2 proposals. Step-1 proposals are due on April 30, 2010, and Step-2 proposals are due on July 8, 2010. Proposals must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization.

Proposals must be submitted electronically. Step-1 Proposers can use either NSPIRES (see URL above) or Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov ) for proposal submission. Invited Step-2 Proposals must be submitted electronically via the NSPIRES proposal data system.

All categories of U.S. institutions are eligible to submit proposals in response to this NRA. Principal Investigators (PIs) may collaborate with investigators from universities, Federal Government laboratories, the private sector, state and local government laboratories and other countries.

Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to this NRA must be registered with NSPIRES, and such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal. Instructions on how to register in NSPIRES is described in the NRA. Each electronic proposal system places requirements on the registration of principal investigators and other participants (e.g. co-investigators). Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) of interest to familiarize themselves with its structure and enter the requested information. Questions in regards to responding to this NRA may be addressed to the contacts referenced in the full solicitation document.

This is a broad agency announcement as specified in FAR 6.102 (d)(2). Notwithstanding the posting of this opportunity at FedBizOpps.gov, nspires.nasaprs.com, or Grants.gov, NASA reserves the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each proposal selected pursuant to this announcement.