Applications for NASA EPSCoR funding due Sept. 5
The North Dakota NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) solicits research proposals from faculty at the University of North Dakota (UND) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) to conduct NASA relevant research in one or more RFAs that are designed to promote and expand particular NASA research sub disciplines in North Dakota.
The RFAs include: 1) Astronomical/planetary science research, 2) Small satellite research, development, and construction, 3) Earth sciences research, 4) Materials science research, and 5) Planetary space suit research. Research proposals should be relevant in one or more of the above RFAs, have significant scientific merit, be NASA relevant, and should include realistic budget estimates. Proposal budgets can include funding for faculty salary and benefits, undergraduate and graduate student research assistantships, project relevant supplies, research equipment, and travel to NASA field centers for direct collaborations with NASA researchers.
Funds cannot be used for furniture, filing cabinets, wall cabinets, office supplies, (including copy paper, pens, sticky notepads), telephone lines, lab renovations, building renovations, moving expenses, expenditures for teaching classes, honorariums, subscription fees, membership fees, and tuition waivers. Match funds are not mandatory.
One of the primary goals of the RFA research emphasis and the NASA EPSCoR program is to assist faculty in developing research programs that are funded outside of the NASA EPSCoR program. Therefore, proposers should specifically include a plan to develop and expand their proposal into an independently funded research group beyond the timeframe of this funding opportunity. A goal of ND NASA EPSCoR is also to assist the development of multiple NASA relevant research clusters in North Dakota. Proposals involving both universities and multiple faculty, and collaboration with research groups/scientists at one or more of the NASA Centers are strongly encouraged.
Funding for this project will be available from Oct. 1, 2014 through Sept. 15, 2015. Extensions are strictly not possible. We anticipate making 3 to 4 awards at each campus up to $30,000 per proposal. Preference will be given to research areas of relevance to North Dakota and proposals that align with ND NASA EPSCoR Research Focus Areas as listed above. Scientific/technical proposals that fall outside of the RFAs, but NASA/North Dakota relevant, may also be considered. Preference will also be given to beginning, untenured faculty who have not yet received a ND NASA EPSCoR award.
Checklist Requirements (submit in the following order):
1. Cover page that lists principal investigator (PI) contact information, amount of funding request, department chair signature, and a statement that the PI has/has not received ND NASA EPSCoR funding since July 1, 2013. All proposals must be routed through Department Chair, Dean’s office, and Grants and Contracts (UND applicants); Sponsored Programs Administration (NDSU applicants) for signatures. Use the Cover page available at: http://www.ndsu.edu/epscor/rfps/documents/NasaSeedCovShtpdfForm10.pdf.
Both NDSU and UND PIs must complete the proposal transmittal form located at:
(NDSU) http://www.ndsu.edu/research/sponsored_programs_administration/forms.html
(UND) http://und.edu/research/resources/all-forms.cfm
2. A 5-10 page description of the proposed research that includes the following items:
a. Description of the primary research question and/or purpose
b. Description of the methodological approach and techniques
c. Relevance to NASA/North Dakota
d. Preliminary research results, if applicable
e. Nature and extent of collaborations within North Dakota and with NASA personnel
f. Contact information of collaborators
g. Letter from collaborators that will contribute to this research
h. Description of the PI’s plan to secure future external funding
i. Reference list, as appropriate
3. A detailed budget. Use the Budget Summary form located on the Web at www.ndsu.edu/epscor/rfps/NASAfacSeedResOpp2013.htm. Include a one-page budget narrative along with the Budget Summary that itemizes, describes, and justifies each budget item. Include a separate, more detailed budget, if necessary, to provide sufficient detail.
NDSU applicants: Upon review by Sponsored Programs Administration, submit original and two copies (all stapled) of proposal to ND EPSCoR office at Research One, Suite 142, AND an electronic submission of the proposal as a single, unlocked PDF file to Caitlin Nolby, cnolby@space.edu by noon Sept. 5, 2014.
UND applicants: After Grants & Contracts has reviewed, submit the original and two stapled copies of proposals to Caitlin Nolby, Clifford Hall Room 513, 4149 Campus Road, Stop 9008, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9008 by noon Sept. 5, 2014. Also, an electronic submission of the proposal as a single, unlocked PDF attachment must be sent to Caitlin Nolby, cnolby@space.edu.
All awards require: 1) an end-of-year award report to be filed with the ND EPSCoR office, and 2) presentation of results at the annual ND NASA EPSCoR meeting and 3) submission of a regular research proposal to NASA or NSF within 12 months of the end of the seed research funding. Failure to submit a regular research proposal to NASA or NSF will preclude the PI from further funding via ND NASA EPSCoR.
Questions regarding this announcement can be addressed to Santhosh K. Seelan, Director, ND NASA EPSCoR, seelan@space.edu, 777.2355; or Caitlin Nolby, cnolby@space.edu, 777.4856.
