NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA uses the vantage point of space to understand Earth

The Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) has a leading role in NASA's mission to understand and protect our home planet, by advancing Earth system science to enable improved prediction of climate, weather and natural hazards and their effects on life. Using aerospace science and technology as well as the vantage point of space, we seek to observe, analyze, and model the Earth system to discover how it is changing and the consequences for life on Earth. In addition, we have an essential role to play in inspiring the next generation by revolutionizing how Earth science is taught in the US by showing how the Earth functions as a system supporting life, and by using our data and information to strengthen curricula and teaching in science, math, engineering and technology from kindergarten to post-graduate levels. (See NASA 2003 Strategic Plan at http://www.plans.nasa.gov/.)

The New Investigator Program (NIP) in Earth Science was established in Fiscal Year 1996 to encourage the integration of Earth system science research and education by scientists and engineers at the early stage of their professional careers. The program, designed for investigators in Earth system science and applications at academic institutions and non-profit organizations, emphasizes the early development of professional careers of these individuals as both researchers and educators. The program encourages scientists and engineers to develop a broader sense of responsibility for effectively contributing to the improvement of science education and the public science literacy; it provides an opportunity for the investigators to develop partnerships and/or enhance their skills, knowledge, and ability to communicate the excitement, challenge, methods, and results of their work to teachers, students, and the public. The Earth Science Enterprise places particular emphasis on the investigators' ability to promote and increase the use of Earth remote sensing through the proposed research and education projects.

The NIP proposals are openly solicited approximately every eighteen months. The awards, to be provided in the form of "education grants," range between $80,000-$120,000 per year for a period of up to three years, subject to satisfactory progress and availability of funds. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement will be competing for approximately $2.0 million per year beginning in Fiscal Year 2004.

This solicitation is available electronically at the NASA Headquarters Research Opportunities web site: http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/NRA-03-OES-04/index.html. Paper copies of the NRA will be available to those who do not have access to the Internet by calling (202) 358-3552 and leaving a voice mail message. Please provide full name and address, including ZIP code, and a telephone number, including area code.

Point of Contact
Name: Dr. Ming-Ying Wei
Title: Manager, Educ. Programs, Office of Earth Science
Phone: (202) 358-0771
Fax: (202) 358-2770
Email: ming-ying.wei@hq.nasa.gov