NASA Tribal College and University Experiential Learning Opportunity (TCU ELO) Grant

Prospective proposers are requested to submit any questions in writing to tcu-elo-questions@lists.nasa.gov no later than 10 business days before the proposal due date so that NASA will be able to respond.

Only Tribal Colleges and 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 E Section E.2.1 and E.2.2 regarding teaming requirements and partnership guidelines.

The goals of the TCU ELO are to utilize NASA’s unique contributions in collaboration with tribal colleges and universities and tribal-serving institutions to improve the overall quality of the Nation’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education.

To achieve these goals, NASA TCU ELO seeks to:

• Increase learners’ involvement and interest in STEM, educate them on the value of STEM in their lives, and positively influence the perception of their ability to participate in STEM;
• Strengthen efforts to attract and retain increased numbers of students in NASA STEM programs to encourage their pursuit of educational disciplines and careers critical to NASA’s and the Nation’s future engineering, scientific, and technical workforce;
• Provide opportunities for TCU students, faculty and staff; and high school students who are likely to matriculate to TCUs, to engage in NASA-related STEM scientific research and engineering activities;
• Expand outreach activities between NASA and tribal colleges and universities to increase TCU access to NASA’s unique science and exploration assets and data in the creation of experiential learning opportunities for students;
• Enhance NASA’s knowledge of the unique TCU assets and requirements, and enhance NASA-TCU partnerships

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 – TCU-ELO 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.