NASA Research Announcement: Research Opportunities in Space Biological Sciences: Advanced Human Support Technology Program

The BPR Division programs represent an opportunity for NASA to enhance and broaden public
knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of biological and biomedical research, and the value
of this research in the space environment. Individuals participating in NASA’s BR Division
programs have a responsibility to foster the development>>a scientifically informed public.
Therefore, all participants in this NRA are strongly encouraged to promote general scientific
literacy and public understanding of life sciences, the space environment, and the Space
Biological Sciences programs through formal and informal education opportunities. Where
appropriate, supported investigators will be required to produce, in collaboration with NASA, a
plan for communicating their work to the public (see Appendix A, Section VI for details).

The AHST Program seeks to fund the development of advanced technologies for use on the
International Space Station (ISS) beyond the currently baselined technologies, or on a long
duration human exploration mission. Special emphasis is placed on those technologies that will
have a dramatic impact on the reduction of required mass, power, volume, crew time, and on
increased safety and reliability. In addition, technologies proposed for use by NASA that are
also applicable to the detection of and response to chemical toxins and pathogenic
microorganisms that could potentially be used in counter-terrorism efforts are specifically
encouraged.

Safety is the freedom from those conditions that can cause death, injury, occupational illness,
damage to or loss of equipment or property, or damage to the environment. NASA’s safety priority
is to protect: (1) the public, (2) astronauts and pilots, (3) the NASA workforce (including
employees working under NASA instruments), and (4) high-value equipment and property.

For Fiscal Year 2003, each of the three areas of this NRA has a unique proposal solicitation
with particular needs for specific kinds of proposals in specific areas of emphasis. Therefore, it
is critical that potential applicants read carefully the AHST Program and Project descriptions in
Appendix A of this Announcement.

Proposals will be evaluated by independent peer review panels for overall scientific or technical
merit, including an assessment of the innovativeness of the proposed work. Where appropriate,
NASA will also conduct separately an assessment of the cost, relevance to AHST programmatic
needs and goals, flight feasibility, and the feasibility of implementation by NASA after the work

is completed. See Appendix A, Section V for more details on proposal evaluation and awards
selection process.

A selection announcement will be made no earlier than November 2002, pending budget
availability. Funding of selected proposals will begin at the earliest in December 2002. NASA’s
obligation to make awards is contingent upon the receipt of proposals that the government
determines are acceptable for award under this NRA.

Funds are not currently available for awards under this NRA. The Government’s obligation to
make award(s) is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment can
be made and the receipt of proposals that NASA determines are acceptable for award under this
NRA.
Continuation of multiple year awards is dependent on evidence of satisfactory annual progress
(see Appendix A, Sections VII.A and VII.D) and availability of funding.

It is anticipated that there will be 15-20 total awards for proposals submitted in response to this
NRA and that awards will average approximately $175,000 per year. Support for Pilot Studies
will be somewhat lower, approximately $80,000 per study.

Due to programmatic needs and funding constraints, NASA may in certain cases elect to fund
only a portion of a proposed effort and/or may request that the applicant collaborate with other
investigators in a joint investigation. In these cases, the applicant will be given the opportunity
to accept or decline such partial acceptance or teaming with other investigators prior to a NASA
selection. Where collaboration with other investigators as a team is agreed to, one of the team
members will be designated by NASA as its leader or contact point.

Participation in this Announcement is open to all individuals and all categories of organizations:
industry, educational institutions, other nonprofit organizations, NASA laboratories, and other
government agencies. Proposals that will enhance or complement the scientific return from
research currently being supported by industry or by other government agencies are encouraged.
Although NASA, under certain circumstances, will review proposals from non-U.S. institutions,
NASA does not fund research at non-U.S. institutions (see Appendix A, Section VII.C).

Awards made as a result of this NRA will primarily be funded as grants. Either a grant,
cooperative agreement, or contract may be used; however, to accomplish an effort funded in
response to this NRA, NASA will determine the appropriate instrument. Any resultant grants or
cooperative agreements will be awarded and administered in accordance with the NASA Grant
and Cooperative Agreement Handbook (NPG 5800.1D). Commercial organizations are
encouraged to propose resource sharing in their cost plans.

Further details concerning the AHST Program and the preparation of proposals in response to
this Announcement are included in the attached appendices.