NSBRI Research Announcement Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is soliciting for ground-based and analog definition research proposals to develop safe and effective countermeasures and technologies that will reduce the significant biomedical risks associated with human space travel. These discoveries will not only enable safe and productive human spaceflight, but will also have the potential to improve life on Earth. This solicitation was released jointly with NASA’s Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) NRA (NNJ14ZSA001N) on July 31, 2014. The response area for the NSBRI solicitation is NNJ14ZSA001N-NSBRI (Appendix B) “NSBRI Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions.”
Appendix B of the HERO NRA and associated documentation can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/2014-NSBRI and at http://www.nsbri.org.
The HERO NRA including all open appendices is available through the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at: http://tinyurl.com/2014-HERO
Appendix B Step-1 proposals are due September 4, 2014. Invited Appendix B Step-2 proposals are due December 3, 2014.
NSBRI is soliciting for research proposals to augment the project portfolios of its Cardiovascular Alterations, Human Factors and Performance, Musculoskeletal Alterations, Neurobehavioral and Psychosocial Factors, Sensorimotor Adaptations, and Smart Medicine & Technology scientific research teams. Research topics include visual impairment observed in U.S. astronauts. The specific research topics are:
Cardiovascular Alterations
• Develop and Validate “Early” Biomarkers to Detect Asymptomatic Cardiovascular Disease.
Human Factors and Performance
• Measure and Model the Level of Crew Member Trust of Automation During Autonomous Operations, and Develop Adaptive Technology Countermeasures To Mitigate Situational Stressors.
Musculoskeletal Alterations
• Characterize Genetic Mosaicism in Muscle and Bone Tissues of Rodents Exposed to Simulated Space Radiation and Microgravity.
Neurobehavioral and Psychosocial Factors
• Test Countermeasures for Space-Radiation Induced Neurobehavioral Deficits. Detect and Optimize Stress in Astronauts or Astronaut-like Subjects Prior to Mission.
Sensorimotor Adaptation
• Commission a Task Force of World Experts to Characterize Sensorimotor and Neurocognitive Effects Associated with the Spaceflight-Induced Intracranial Hypertension/Vision Alterations (VIIP) Syndrome; and based on these Findings, Propose Alternative Hypotheses To Illuminate the Cause(s) of VIIP.
Smart Medical Systems and Technology
• Define and Validate Mechanical Countermeasures for Microgravity-Associated Cephalad Fluid Shifts.
Proposals solicited in response to this NSBRI research announcement will follow a two-step review process. Only Step-1 proposers determined to have proposed work that is relevant to the specific topics solicited by this research announcement will be invited to submit full Step-2 proposals. Step-1 proposals are due on September 4, 2014, and invited Step-2 proposals are due on December 3, 2014. Participation is open to all categories of U.S. based organizations, including educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other Government agencies. Both Step-1 and Step-2 proposals must be submitted electronically via NSPIRES.
About NSBRI
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute, NSBRI, is a 501(c)3 organization funded by NASA. Its mission is to lead a national program to mitigate the health risks related to human spaceflight and to apply the discoveries to improve life on Earth. Annually, the Institute’s science, technology and career development projects take place at approximately 60 institutions and companies across the United States.
All categories of United States (U.S.) institutions are eligible to submit proposals in response to the NRA. Principal Investigators may collaborate with universities, Federal Government laboratories, the private sector, and state and local government laboratories. In all such arrangements, the applying entity is expected to be responsible for administering the project according to the management approach presented in the proposal. NASA’s policy is to conduct research with non-U.S. organizations on a cooperative, no exchange-of-funds basis.
This email is being sent on behalf of HRP and is intended as an information announcement to the research community related to the NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) Human Research Program (HRP) and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.
Thank you for your continued interest in NASA and NSBRI. Please refer to the solicitation document for contact information.
