NASA Space Technology Research Institutes (STRI; NNH16ZOA001N-16STRI-B3)
Notice of Intent (NOI) to Propose Due: July 14, 2016
Preliminary Proposals (required) due: July 28, 2016
Invited Full Proposals due: October 24, 2016
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released on July 1, 2016 the Appendix, titled “Space Technology Research Grants Program, Space Technology Research Institutes” (STRI; NNH16ZOA001N-16STRI-B3), to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion – 2016” (SpaceTech–REDDI–2016).
The Space Technology Mission Directorate is seeking to invest, via Space Technology Research Institute (STRI), in university-led, multidisciplinary basic research and technology development within particular areas of strong interest to NASA and the wider aerospace community. The STRI construct allows for the participation of experts from a wide range of fields and organizations in a single distributed research structure, enabling greater progress and benefit for all involved. Research institutes facilitate a more sustained and coordinated set of research and development efforts than typically arise from separate solicitations and individual research grants. In addition, because the institute maintains this focus for an extended period, more effective and substantial research progress is envisioned for the featured research areas. An awarded institute will typically be 5 years in duration and up to $15M total over the 5-year period.
An STRI is intended to research and exploit cutting-edge advances in technology with the potential for revolutionary impact on future aerospace capabilities. Proposals to the STRI appendix must address one of the following two topics:
1) Topic 1 – Bio-Manufacturing for Deep Space Exploration
2) Topic 2 – Computationally Accelerated Materials Development for Ultra High Strength Lightweight Structures
The STRI Appendix was released on July 1, 2016, with preliminary proposals due on July 28, 2016, at 5:00 pm Eastern; invited full proposals will be due on October 24, 2016, 5:00 pm Eastern. Preliminary proposals are mandatory. Only invited offerors will be allowed to submit full proposals. The final Appendix and documents related to this solicitation are available at NSPIRES (https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={AADFF8D2-743A-01F5-02A0-DA015E9D445D}&path=open).
Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to the Space Technology Research Grants Program Executive, Claudia Meyer, at hq-stmd-stri@mail.nasa.gov. Procurement questions may be addressed by e-mail to the procurement point of contact, Kimberly Cone, at hq-stmd-stri@mail.nasa.gov. Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.
