NASA MIRO Grant: Strengthening Research Capacity at Minority Serving Universities

Only Minority Serving Universities that are legally recognized by the Department of Education are eligible to apply for this NASA Research Announcement (NRA). No later than the due date for proposals, proposers to this NRA are required to have:

1) a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number,
2) a valid registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) [formerly known as the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)],
3) a valid Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE) Code,
4) a valid registration with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (this also applies to any entities proposed for subawards or subcontracts.)

Consult Appendix H Section H.2.1 regarding teaming requirements and partnership guidelines.

The mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Education is to advance high quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education across the United States. To maximize these efforts, NASA has consolidated its education activities into the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP). MUREP supports training and development of students and faculty in STEM at targeted colleges and universities, and provides opportunities for research and education that attract and prepare increasing numbers of students for STEM careers. As an integral part of this mission, the MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO), previously University Research Centers (URC) is being established to strengthen and develop the research capacity and infrastructure of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in areas of strategic importance and value to NASA’s mission and national priorities. Overall, MIRO awards aim to promote STEM lit
eracy and to enhance and sustain the capability of institutions to perform NASA-related research and education, which directly supports NASA’s four Mission Directorates – Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Space Operations, Science, and Space Technology.

The specific goals of MIRO awards are to:
1) Expand the nation’s base for aerospace research and development by fostering new aerospace research and technology development concepts;
2) Develop mechanisms for increased participation by faculty and students at MSIs in the research programs of NASA’s Mission Directorates;
3) Increase the number of undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded to students from MSIs in NASA-related fields.

Grantee institutions have the responsibility for budgeting and documenting compliance with Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR§1230, commonly referred to as “the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects.” Research to develop NASA-themed exhibits, programs, curriculum products, etc., may involve full human subjects review through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or it may be exempt. An IRB also certifies when research is exempt.

Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity – MIRO may be categorized as both Science and Technology and other Research and Development (ST) and Education funded activity.

Every institution that intends to submit a proposal to this NRA, including the proposed prime award or any partner whether an informal education institution, other non-profit institutions, state and local Government agencies, and other organizations that will serve as subawardees or contractors, must be registered in NSPIRES. Electronic submission of proposals is required by the due date and must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal. All principal investigators and other participants (e.g. co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of submission system. 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.
Electronic proposals may be submitted via the NASA proposal data system NSPIRES or via Grants.gov. Organizations that intend to submit proposals via Grants.gov must be registered 1) with Grants.gov and 2) with NSPIRES.

Additional programmatic information for this NRA may develop before the proposal due date. If so, such information will be added as a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) or formal amendment to this NRA and posted on http://nspires.nasaprs.com . It is the proposer’s responsibility to regularly check NSPIRES for updates to this NRA.