Soliciting Concept Papers for ISS Post-Graduate Innovation Awards in Space
Life and Physical Science Research (NRA NNJ14ZBG001N)
Concept Paper Due: July 10th, 2014
This solicitation is targeted at Graduate Ph.D. students and Post-Doctoral
Fellows who have never participated in any variations of space flight
research and have no experience in designing ISS spaceflight scientific
investigations. Student researchers who belong to the Experiment Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) jurisdiction are strongly encouraged
to participate. These concept papers will be for ground-based research that
can be translated into ISS flight investigations in the following
disciplines: Microbiology, Space Physiology and Physical Sciences
specifically Combustion Science, Fluid Physics, Material Science and Complex
Fluids. NASA Space Life and Physical Science research have several goals:
(1) to effectively use the microgravity and other characteristics of the
space environment to enhance our understanding of basic biological, chemical
and physical processes; (2) to develop scientific and technological
foundations for a safe, productive human presence in space for extended
periods and in preparation for exploration; and (3) to apply this knowledge
and technology to improve our nation’s competiveness, education and the
quality of life on Earth. NASA Life and Physical Science experiments will be
designed to discover how space flight affects a diverse group of
microorganisms, plants and animals and study the effects of microgravity on
both chemical and physical processes and specifically in the areas of
combustion, fluid physics, complex fluids, and material science.
This solicitation is requesting the development of a concept paper
describing ground based research that can be enhanced by flying in a
microgravity environment on the International Space Station (ISS).
Concept papers selected will have the opportunity to submit a full ISS
flight proposal based on the merit of the research presented.
* The primary targets of this solicitation are graduate Ph.D.
students and post-doctoral fellows at institutions from the NASA EPSCoR
jurisdictions; however any US institution may submit a concept paper.
* Your specific aims must address the research emphases in this
solicitation.
* The length of the proposal cannot exceed 5 pages using standard 12 point
type.
* NASA anticipates that up to 10 awards will be given for concept papers
that outline innovative research that is aligned with the priorities of the
ISS program.
* The monetary value of each award will total up to $4,000
* The period of performance for this solicitation is 4 months.
Therefore, Notices of Intent are not required.
* The selected awardees will be invited to submit full ISS proposals on
their research which may result in one flight opportunity for student
researchers.
* For all EPSCoR jurisdictions, the proposal must be submitted by the
jurisdiction’s EPSCoR director.
NASA intends to sponsor studies that will result in new basic knowledge that
will provide a foundation on which other NASA researchers and engineers can
build approaches and countermeasures to the problems confronting human
exploration of space, or that translate into new biological, chemical or
physical science tools or applications on Earth.
All concept papers meeting the solicitation criteria will be evaluated for
scientific and technical (implementation) merit by independent peer review
panels. Proposed research judged to be of high scientific merit and feasible
to implement will be evaluated for their relevance to programmatic needs and
goals.
—
Gerardo Morell, PhD
Director, PR NASA Space Grant Consortium Director, PR NASA EPSCoR Program
Tel: 787-282-7047, 787-764-0620
Fax: 787-756-7717, 787-764-4063
Email: gerardo.morell@upr.edu
Web: http://www.prsgc.upr.edu/