NASA issues solicitation, sponsors research in high-priority technology

WASHINGTON, 15 March 2012.NASA officials are seeking proposals from accredited U.S. universities for the inaugural Space Technology Research Opportunities for Early Career Faculty. This solicitation seeks to sponsor research in specific, high-priority technology areas of interest to NASA. NASA will award approximately 10 grants this fall, funded up to $200,000 each per year, based on the merit of proposals received. Notices of intent to submit proposals are due March 30.

Specific topic areas were selected because they can best benefit from early stage innovative approaches provided by U.S. academic institutions. The research will investigate unique, disruptive, or transformational space technologies or concepts.

"NASA is committed to ensuring our nation's intellectual capital pipeline remains the best in the world, and that we bring the brightest minds together with the best ideas to meet the challenges of NASA's future missions," says Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "These grants offer a means for NASA to capitalize on the tremendous creativity and innovation that these brilliant individuals have to offer."

The deadline for submitting final proposals is May 3. For information on the solicitation, including specific technology areas of interest and how to submit notices of intent and proposals, visit: http://go.usa.gov/P31

The Space Technology Research Opportunities for Early Career Faculty is a part of NASA's Space Technology Program, managed by the Office of the Chief Technologist.