(FOA)-Early
Career Faculty (ECF); February 26, 2020
Agency
National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Description
The
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released
an Appendix B1, titled Early Career Faculty (ECF), to the Space Technology
Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled
"Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion
2020 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2020). STMD, and the Space Technology Research Grants
(STRG) Program in particular, seek proposals from accredited U.S. universities
on behalf of faculty members early in their careers as they conduct space
technology research of high priority to NASA's Mission Directorates and STMD.
The goal of this low-TRL endeavor is to accelerate the development of
groundbreaking, high-risk/high-payoff space technologies, not necessarily
directed at a specific mission, to support the future space science and
exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies, and the commercial space
sector. Such efforts complement the other NASA Mission Directorates’ focused
technology activities which typically begin at TRL 3 or higher. The starting
TRL of the efforts to be funded as a result of this Appendix will be TRL 1
or TRL 2; typical end TRLs will be TRL 2 or TRL 3. Specifically, the
proposals must address one of the following three
topics:
·
Topic
1 –Coordinated Multi-Robots for Planetary Exploration: The objective of
this topic is to develop technology that enables multiple robots to work in a
coordinated manner for planetary exploration.
·
Topic
2 –Advanced Plant/Food Production Technologies for Space Exploration: The
goal of this topic is to advance the capabilities needed to effectively grow
plants as a source of food for space exploration missions.
·
Topic
3–Enhanced Diagnostics for Characterizing Entry Aerothermal Environments in
High-enthalpy Impulse Facilities: The goal of this topic is to develop
diagnostic techniques to provide detailed measurements of flowfield properties for high-enthalpy impulse facilities,
such as shock tubes, used to simulate aerothermal environments experienced by
spacecraft during atmospheric entry.
·
Topic
4–Micro or Nano-structuring Multi-layer Insulation Shields for Ultra-low
Emissivity: The goal of this topic is to develop and demonstrate novel
manufacturing and fabrication techniques to improve thermal performance of thin
film reflective foils used in multi-layer insulation (MLI) systems for
spacecraft.
The
proposed research must be led by a single, eligible PI:
·
The
PI must be an untenured Assistant Professor on the tenure track at the
sponsoring U.S. University at the time of award. If the PI’s appointment is
scheduled to change to Associate Professor (either tenure-track or tenured) on
or before the award date, he/she is not eligible for an ECF award. At the time
of selection, the university must provide, on behalf of a selected PI,
confirmation that he/she will remain untenured in a tenure-track Assistant
Professor position until at least the award date (date the funding instrument is
effective).
·
The
PI must be a U.S. citizen or have lawful status of permanent residency (i.e.,
holder of a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, also referred to as a Green Card) no
later than August 1 following the proposal submission deadline, and both the
biographical sketch and department letter should specifically address the U.S.
citizenship/permanent residency requirement.
·
The
PI must be the primary researcher on the effort. Co-Investigators are not
permitted. Collaborators (other than NASA civil servants/JPL) are
permitted.
·
The
PI may not be a current or former recipient of a Presidential Early Career
Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
Cost
sharing is not required.
Announcement
Number
80HQTR20NOA01-20ECF-B1
Closing
Date
Notices
of Intent Due: February 26, 2020
Proposals
Due: March 25, 2020
Link
to Full Announcement
Contact
Information
Claudia
Meyer
202-358-4458