NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

Grants, Funding Opportunities, and Financial Processes

The Sponsored Programs Office of the NAI is responsible for overseeing the preparation, announcement, review, and management of the Cooperative Agreement s (CA) which the Institute develops with each of its Team’s lead Institutions. The CA’s are the primary funding instrument to support the research, training and E/PO activities of the NAI Lead Institutions, and all of their associated team institutions. The Sponsored Programs Office also manages the Director’s Discretionary Fund, the NAI Focus Groups, the NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, the Conference and Workshop Fund, and the NAI Research Scholarship. Together, these additional funding options provide the NAI Membership with opportunities for, and flexibility in, developing collaborative relationships within a Team, amongst Teams, with the broader U.S. science community, and with the international astrobiology community. For further information about NAI Sponsored Programs, contact Dr. Edward Goolish, who can be reached at 650/604-1961 .

3.1 Cooperative Agreements Notices (CAN)

The structure of the NAI is based on the development of Cooperative Agreements between NASA and the NAI Lead Institutions. NASA field centers that are selected in the open peer review competitions are treated identically to academic and non-profit Teams, with the exception that their funds are provided to them via funds transfer from NASA Headquarters. A Cooperative Agreement implies that a substantial involvement is expected between NASA and the recipient during the performance of the proposed and selected activity. The NAI Lead Institutions are responsible to insure that funds and information flow effectively to all members of their team, including those at other institutions. Details concerning the requirements and responsibilities pertaining to a NASA Cooperative Agreements can be found in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook; which can be accessed online at: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/hq/grcover.htm . Team PI’s may also find it useful to refer back to the Cooperative Agreement Notice itself, which provides additional guidance on what is expected from NAI Teams. The Cycle-4 documents can be viewed at the NASA Research and Education Support Services website. Selected Team CAN proposals can be viewed here.

The normal supplements to Cooperative Agreements will typically be processed in June and December of each year. The June supplement provides funds for a six-month period (July-December), and the December supplement for the six-month period (January-June). An e-mail notification of pending supplements will be sent to the PI of the respective Team, the Grants/Finance Office of the Lead Institution, and to any administrative staff who have been identified. New PI’s are asked to provide email addresses of those individuals who should receive information on supplements. Please send this information to John Evans .

As with any NASA research grant, an annual reporting of progress is required by the NASA Ames Research Center Grants Office. This requirement is met by the submission of input to the NAI Annual Report, which is posted online in the NAI library.

Please also remember that New Technology should be promptly reported to NASA. A reportable New Technology item is defined as technology or software which is conceived or first actually reduced to practice in the performance of work under a NASA cooperative agreement, grant or contract. More information about New Technology reporting is available online.

There is also a requirement that the Grants/Business Office of each Team Institution provide (quarterly) a copy of the Federal Cash Transactions Report (Form 272). This report should be sent, as is standard procedure, to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), with a cc: to the NAI through John Evans.

John Evans
Resources Analyst
NASA Astrobiology Institute
NASA Ames Research Center, MS 240-1
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
Email: jcevans@arc.nasa.gov
Phone 650-604-3109
FAX 650-604-4251

3.2 Fellowships and Funding Opportunities

3.2.1 NASA Astrobiology Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The NAI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides opportunities for Ph.D. scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability to perform research on problems largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research interests of NASA and the member teams of the NASA Astrobiology Institute.

NAI Postdoctoral Fellows become full members of the NAI, and, as such, are included in the NAI database and on-line directory, invited to attend and submit abstracts for NAI General Meetings, given access to NAI collaborative tools, and are eligible for additional NAI funding opportunities. NAI Fellows have, therefore, a wide spectrum of opportunities for further collaboration with NAI researchers, as well as the broader scientific community. In this role, NAI Fellows act as ‘Ambassadors’ amongst the NAI Teams, and between the NAI and the broader scientific community, – helping to define and lead the new discipline of astrobiology.

The NAI Postdoctoral Program is administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). Note that the NAI does not participate in every application/award cycle. For additional information about the program see http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc .

3.2.2 The NAI Director’s Discretionary Fund

For the year 2007, the NASA Astrobiology Institute plans to allocate approximately $1.5M in funds towards strategic investments that advance the science of astrobiology; demonstrate impact to NASA’s space flight programs or its broader science activities; and/or contribute to NASA’s role as a federal R&D agency through the development of strategic partnerships. Proposals are invited ranging from $10-20K for smaller projects (e.g., a workshop) to $200-300K for large research efforts. Approximately 8-12 awards are anticipated. Proposals involving multiple NAI teams are encouraged. The Lead Investigator for all proposals must be an NAI member, but proposals may include participation by non-members. Proposals should be accompanied by a letter of support from the PIs of all participating NAI teams.

Schedule:

For complete information view the Call for Proposals

NOTE: the 2007 deadline has passed, and awards have been made.

3.2.3. The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology is a new program of research grants in support of astrobiological field studies undertaken by graduate students, postdoctoral students, and junior scientists and scholars.

Additional information, including the application forms and instructions is available at the APS’s Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology page.

http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/astrobiology.htm

3.2.4 NAI Conference and Workshop Fund

The NAI coordinates and supports the NAI presence at astrobiology-related professional conferences and workshops and, with the assistance of the NAI Members, may sponsor special sessions at professional meetings such as the AAS, AGU, and GSA.

Additional information and application process is online at:
http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/funding/index.cfm

3.2.5 NASA Astrobiology Institute Minority Institution Research Support

The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) program provides opportunities for researchers from qualified minority institutions to initiate joint partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. The NAI-MIRS program provides summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities for faculty and students from minority institutions. The purpose of this initiative is to increase the attendance and participation of underrepresented scientists in astrobiology research laboratories, at professional conferences, and as members in NAI Teams.

Additional information and how to apply is online at: http://www.nai-mirs.org/

3.2.6 International Collaboration

In order to facilitate collaborations with international colleagues, a small fund has been identified to help support travel and accommodation costs. A member who wishes to invite a foreign scientist to your institution or travel to a foreign institution for collaborative research, may apply for this support. We base our planning estimates on support at the $5K level for 3-5 such exchanges per year.

3.3 Financial Processes

Three primary methods are used for the transfer of funds once a request to an NAI program for additional funding is approved. These are: a Supplement to a Cooperative Agreement, the use of an external contractor, or, for NASA Centers, through the sub-authorization process.

3.3.1 Supplements to a Cooperative Agreement

In support of its mission, the NAI provides opportunities to fund activities or needs not included in the original Cooperative Agreement proposals. The types of proposals received, include support for workshops, conferences, travel, and new research. One mechanism available for funding these requests is a supplement to the existing Team Cooperative Agreement. If the proposal has no particularly complex components, then a supplement to the existing Team Cooperative Agreement is often the simplest method to transfer the funds.

For additional information, application process, an example letter and budget see appendices A and B.

3.3.2 Transfer through a NASA Contractor

In the case of support for travel, or for general funding to organize a conference session or workshop, it is often more expeditious to transfer funds or reimburse personal travel through an outside service contractor. If this method is selected, you will be contacted directly from the contractor regarding the process and submission of any necessary forms.

3.3.3 Funding to NASA Centers

NASA Centers will receive their funds via a 506A directly from NASA HQ, with NAI directing HQ as to the amount of PY funds to send to that particular Institution. This transaction typically occurs annually, following the approval of the NASA budget in the December/January time frame.