Space Technology Department’s Early Stage Space Technology Research Grant

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) solicits proposals from accredited U.S. universities for innovative, early-stage space technology research of high priority to NASA’s Mission Directorates. Eligibility requirements are detailed in the solicitation. STRO-ESI is focused on low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) space technologies. The goal of this low-TRL technology endeavor is to accelerate the development of groundbreaking, high-risk/high-payoff space technologies, not necessarily directed at a specific mission, to support the future space science and exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies, and the commercial space sector. Such efforts complement the other NASA Mission Directorates’ focused technology activities which typically begin at TRL 3 or higher. The TRL of the efforts to be funded as a result of this call will be TRL 1 or TRL 2 at the beginning of the selected effort and TRL 2 or TRL 3 at the end of the effort.

This solicitation seeks unique, disruptive, or transformational space technologies that have the potential to lead to dramatic improvements at the system level – performance, weight, cost, reliability, operational simplicity or other figures of merit associated with space flight hardware or missions. Although progress under an award may be incremental, the projected impact at the system level must be substantial and clearly defined. This solicitation is not seeking literature searches, survey activities or incremental improvements of an existing technology.

This solicitation exclusively seeks proposals that are responsive to one of the five topics described: Asteroid Detection, Remote Characterization, and Impact Avoidance; Technologies for In Situ Instruments; Optical Coatings and Thin-film Physics; Oxygen Recovery Technology; and Improved Understanding of Cryogenic Propellant Physics. NASA anticipates addressing other areas/topics in future Space Technology Research Opportunities solicitations.

All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) by an authorized organizational representative. Notices of Intent (not mandatory) are due by April 29, 2013. Proposals are due on or before May 21, 2013. Detailed submission instructions are provided in the solicitation. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system(s), ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.

Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to the Space Technology Research Grants Program Executive, Claudia Meyer, at hq-stro-esi-call@mail.nasa.gov. Procurement questions may be addressed by e-mail to the procurement point of contact on this solicitation, Jonathon Wingerberg, at hq-stro-esi-call@mail.nasa.gov. Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.