NASA Announcement of New Cooperative Agreement Notice Entitled: Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) - 3
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) have released the third Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) as NNH18ZDA018C. Step-1 proposals are due October 19, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
SSERVI CAN-3 NNH18ZDA018C solicits the submission of multi-institutional team-based proposals for research as participating members of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). Proposals must clearly articulate an innovative research program addressing basic and/or applied research fundamental to understanding the nature of the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, and the near space environments of these bodies, to enable eventual human exploration of these destinations.
The proposed research should address NASA's basic (science) and applied (exploration) research goals and should include multidisciplinary investigations that address the objectives of this CAN. The proposed research should be integrated; thus, proposals consisting of tasks addressing multifaceted questions must demonstrate significant scientific and/or technical connections among the tasks. Proposals that only address a single question should strive to integrate interdisciplinary expertise and methodologies. It is expected that teams bring together expertise from more than a single institution.
This CAN supports the broad spectrum of lunar, NEA, and Martian moon studies encompassing investigations of the surface, interior, exosphere, genesis, evolution, and the near-space environments of these bodies. Investigations that link science and exploration are highly encouraged. Fundamental research having clear, critical and longer-term implications for acquiring or interpreting data regarding potential human destinations is encouraged (for example, addressing Target Body Strategic Knowledge Gaps), as are research efforts that are relevant to (but are not dependent upon) current or future space missions. Proposals in the areas of astrophysics and heliophysics that are enabled through human and robotic exploration of the Target Bodies are also solicited through this Cooperative Agreement Notice.
Efforts to develop new technological approaches to scientific exploration of Target Body(s) are encouraged, including but not limited to telerobotics, AR/VR, and autonomous systems. Supported investigations include, but are not limited to, theoretical investigations, numerical modeling of physical or chemical processes, experimental/laboratory investigations, development of technical/technological approaches, and field studies.
Proposal review, selection, and award will be implemented according to the guidelines set forth in Sections 5.0 and 6.0 of this funding announcement. While SSERVI will continue to support research addressing potential human exploration destinations, given 1) the Administration's focus on returning to the Moon and 2) opportunities to be provided by the commercial lunar industry, proposals that address these near-term lunar needs and opportunities will be given preference. Proposed research that complements current CAN-2 Institute Teams, and/or addresses important research areas not currently covered in the Institute, will be given strong consideration (see: http://sservi.nasa.gov/sserviteams/).
Section 4.0 Proposal and Submission Information provides important information regarding restrictions and deadlines for Principal Investigator and other key personnel changes and other key dates:
• A mandatory "Step-1 proposal" is due 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time October 19, 2018. See Section 4.2.1 for details regarding how a Step-1 proposal differs from an NOI.
• Step-2 Full proposals are Due: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 18, 2018.
Email questions no later than 14 calendar days prior to the Step-2 proposal due date to: HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov. Anonymity of those who submit questions will be preserved.
Responses to questions and the full text for this CAN may be downloaded directly from the NNH18ZDA018C page on NSPIRES or be may reached by searching on NNH18ZDA018C at http://solicitation.nasaprs.com/open.
Dr. Sarah Noble, Science Mission Directorate, Email HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov
