NASA Science Mission Directorate Offers Explorer 2010 Grant for Space Science Investigations

The Explorer Program conducts Principal Investigator (PI)-led space science investigations relevant to SMD’s astrophysics and heliophysics programs. Explorer investigations must address NASA’s goals to advance the understanding of the Sun and its effects on Earth and the Solar System and/or to discover the origin, structure, evolution, and destiny of the Universe and search for Earth-like planets.

Participation is open to all categories of organizations or institutions, U.S. or non-U.S., including educational, industrial, and not-for-profit institutions, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies.

NASA will hold an Explorer Program Workshop (including a Potential Bidders Conference) on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 in the Washington, DC area to provide an overview of the Draft Explorer 2010 AO and to address any questions. Information about the Conference will be made available on the Explorer Program Acquisition website at http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/EX/ .

The comment period for the Draft Explorer 2010 AO ends on July 16, 2010.

The issuance of the Draft Explorer 2010 AO does not obligate NASA to issue the Explorer 2010 AO and solicit proposals. Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to any of these draft solicitations are incurred completely at the submitter’s own risk.

Comments may be addressed in writing or by e-mail to the Explorer Program Acquisition Scientist: Dr. Barbara L. Giles, Ref.: Explorer EX AO, Heliophysics Division, Mail Suite 3R15, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001, E-mail: HQ-Explorers@mail.nasa.gov (subject line to read “Explorer EX AO”). Responses to all inquiries will be answered by e-mail and also posted weekly at the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) location of the Explorer Program Acquisition website at http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/EX/ ; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.