Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH18ZTT001N FG
NASA's "Appendix B: Solicitation of Proposals for Flight and Ground Space Biology Research" is a competitive funding opportunity issued under the Research Opportunities in Space Biology (ROSBio) 2018 NASA Omnibus Research Announcement. Released on December 7, 2018 (Solicitation Number NNH18ZTT001N-FG), it seeks research that improves NASA's understanding of how living systems respond and acclimate to the spaceflight environment, with the practical aim of reducing risk and enabling longer-duration human exploration missions. The solicitation is structured as a two-step process: Step 1 proposals were due January 7, 2019 at 5:00 PM Eastern, and only those invited to continue could submit Step 2 full proposals due March 15, 2019 at 5:00 PM Eastern.
The science focus is organized into four main research emphases. First, NASA is looking for microbiology studies that deepen knowledge of the Microbiology of the Built Environment (MoBE) in space. This includes understanding how microbial communities behave in closed spacecraft habitats and generating insights that could help monitor, manage, manipulate, or control those communities to protect crew health and maintain vehicle integrity. Second, the solicitation prioritizes plant biology research that supports human space exploration, with an emphasis on leveraging International Space Station plant-growth hardware such as VEGGIE and the Advanced Plant Habitat. These studies are expected to address fundamental questions about how plants adapt to spaceflight conditions and to produce new knowledge that improves the ability to grow plants reliably in space, including attention to plant interactions with microbes and fungi. Third, NASA invites animal biology research (both vertebrate and invertebrate) relevant to exploration, broadly aimed at understanding how animal systems respond to spaceflight stressors. Fourth, NASA seeks studies that directly evaluate the results and validity of microgravity "simulators" by comparing simulator outcomes with data from true flight microgravity and complementary ground studies, helping the community understand where analogs match reality and where they diverge.
The solicitation supports a range of experimental approaches, including both flight and ground research, and it allows proposals led by individual investigators as well as larger team-based efforts. On the flight side, projects may use the ISS, suborbital platforms, or parabolic flights to test hypotheses, develop or refine experimental methods, and generate spaceflight-relevant datasets. On the ground side, projects can be conducted in NASA or non-NASA laboratories and may use specialized facilities such as drop towers and centrifuges to study partial gravity and gravity as a continuum. Across all project types, proposals are expected to align with NASA's published Space Biology priorities, specifically the research emphases, visions, and goals described in the ROSBio-2018 Omnibus NRA and/or the Space Biology Science Plan 2016-2025, as well as relevant community guidance such as Decadal Survey recommendations.
Funding is provided through grants or cooperative agreements, consistent with its designation as a broad agency announcement under FAR 6.102(d)(2). The award sizes described in the notice range from about $300,000 total over three years for studies using parabolic and suborbital flights up to $1,200,000 total over three years for larger team-based projects, with an award ceiling of $1.2 million. NASA anticipated making around 15 awards. The activity category is science and technology research and development (CFDA 43.003).
Eligibility is broad: all categories of U.S. institutions may apply, and principal investigators and collaborators may come from universities, federal labs, industry, and state or local government laboratories. International participation is allowed with an explicit exception for China. Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative. For Step 1, proposers could submit via NSPIRES or Grants.gov, while Step 2 instructions were provided in the full solicitation. Registration in NSPIRES is required for organizations, authorized representatives, and named investigators, and NASA strongly encouraged applicants to register and familiarize themselves with the system well ahead of deadlines to avoid administrative problems.
Program and administrative contacts were provided for questions and award-related issues. The programmatic point of contact listed is Dr. David L. Tomko, Program Scientist for Space Biology at NASA Headquarters (dtomko@nasa.gov, 202-358-2211). The grants management contact is Theresa Stanley, Lead Grant Officer at the NASA Shared Services Center (theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov, 228-813-6196). The full Appendix B text was referenced as available online at https://tinyurl.com/ROSBio18-FG.Apply for NNH18ZTT001N FG
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Appendix B: Solicitation of Proposals for Flight and Ground Space Biology Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.003.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 07, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 07, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this NASA funding opportunity?
It is NASA's "Appendix B: Solicitation of Proposals for Flight and Ground Space Biology Research," a competitive funding opportunity issued under the Research Opportunities in Space Biology (ROSBio) 2018 NASA Omnibus Research Announcement.
What is the solicitation number and release date?
The solicitation was released on December 7, 2018, under Solicitation Number NNH18ZTT001N-FG.
What is the main goal of the solicitation?
The solicitation seeks research that improves NASA's understanding of how living systems respond and acclimate to the spaceflight environment, with the practical aim of reducing risk and enabling longer-duration human exploration missions.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. The notice describes it as a competitive funding opportunity.
How is the proposal process structured?
The solicitation uses a two-step process: Step 1 proposal submission, followed by Step 2 full proposals by invitation only.
When were Step 1 proposals due?
Step 1 proposals were due January 7, 2019 at 5:00 PM Eastern.
Who could submit a Step 2 proposal?
Only proposers who were invited to continue after Step 1 could submit a Step 2 full proposal.
When were Step 2 full proposals due?
Step 2 full proposals were due March 15, 2019 at 5:00 PM Eastern.
What are the main research areas NASA is seeking?
The science focus is organized into four main research emphases: (1) Microbiology of the Built Environment (MoBE) in space, (2) plant biology supporting human space exploration, (3) animal biology (vertebrate and invertebrate) relevant to exploration, and (4) studies evaluating microgravity simulators by comparison with true flight microgravity and complementary ground studies.
What types of microbiology topics are included?
The microbiology emphasis targets the Microbiology of the Built Environment (MoBE) in space, including how microbial communities behave in closed spacecraft habitats and how findings could help monitor, manage, manipulate, or control those communities to protect crew health and maintain vehicle integrity.
What plant biology topics are emphasized?
NASA prioritizes plant biology research that supports human space exploration, emphasizing International Space Station plant-growth hardware such as VEGGIE and the Advanced Plant Habitat. The research is expected to address how plants adapt to spaceflight conditions and improve the ability to grow plants reliably in space, including attention to plant interactions with microbes and fungi.
What animal biology topics are included?
NASA invites animal biology research (both vertebrate and invertebrate) relevant to exploration, broadly aimed at understanding how animal systems respond to spaceflight stressors.
What does NASA mean by evaluating microgravity simulators?
This emphasis seeks studies that directly evaluate the results and validity of microgravity "simulators" by comparing simulator outcomes with data from true flight microgravity and complementary ground studies, to understand where analogs match reality and where they diverge.
Does the solicitation support flight research, ground research, or both?
It supports a range of experimental approaches, including both flight and ground research.
What flight platforms are mentioned as eligible or relevant?
On the flight side, projects may use the International Space Station (ISS), suborbital platforms, or parabolic flights to test hypotheses, develop or refine experimental methods, and generate spaceflight-relevant datasets.
What ground-based facilities or approaches are mentioned?
Ground projects can be conducted in NASA or non-NASA laboratories and may use specialized facilities such as drop towers and centrifuges to study partial gravity and gravity as a continuum.
Can proposals be submitted by a single investigator or must they be teams?
The solicitation allows proposals led by individual investigators as well as larger team-based efforts.
What NASA priorities or planning documents should proposals align with?
Proposals are expected to align with NASA's published Space Biology priorities, specifically the research emphases, visions, and goals described in the ROSBio-2018 Omnibus NRA and/or the Space Biology Science Plan 2016-2025, as well as relevant community guidance such as Decadal Survey recommendations.
What funding mechanisms are used for awards?
Funding is provided through grants or cooperative agreements.
How is this opportunity categorized under federal acquisition rules?
It is designated as a broad agency announcement under FAR 6.102(d)(2).
What is the funding range and period of performance described?
The notice describes award sizes ranging from about $300,000 total over three years (for studies using parabolic and suborbital flights) up to $1,200,000 total over three years (for larger team-based projects).
Is there an award ceiling?
Yes. The award ceiling described is $1.2 million.
How many awards did NASA anticipate making?
NASA anticipated making around 15 awards.
What is the activity category and CFDA number?
The activity category is science and technology research and development, with CFDA 43.003.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad: all categories of U.S. institutions may apply.
Which types of organizations and personnel can participate?
Principal investigators and collaborators may come from universities, federal laboratories, industry, and state or local government laboratories.
Is international participation allowed?
Yes, international participation is allowed, with an explicit exception for China.
How must proposals be submitted?
Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative.
Which submission systems are mentioned for Step 1?
For Step 1, proposers could submit via NSPIRES or Grants.gov.
Where are Step 2 submission instructions found?
Step 2 instructions were provided in the full solicitation.
Is NSPIRES registration required?
Yes. Registration in NSPIRES is required for organizations, authorized representatives, and named investigators.
Did NASA provide any advice about NSPIRES registration timing?
Yes. NASA strongly encouraged applicants to register and familiarize themselves with the system well ahead of deadlines to avoid administrative problems.
Who is the programmatic point of contact for questions about the science/program?
The programmatic point of contact listed is Dr. David L. Tomko, Program Scientist for Space Biology at NASA Headquarters (dtomko@nasa.gov, 202-358-2211).
Who is the grants management contact for award-related or administrative issues?
The grants management contact is Theresa Stanley, Lead Grant Officer at the NASA Shared Services Center (theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov, 228-813-6196).
Where can the full Appendix B text be found online?
The full Appendix B text was referenced as available online at https://tinyurl.com/ROSBio18-FG.
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