FY 2017 NASA EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE {CAN} | NNH17ZHA001C

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH17ZHA001C

The FY 2017 NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN), funding opportunity number NNH17ZHA001C, is a discretionary NASA grant opportunity designed to strengthen research and workforce capacity in jurisdictions that historically receive a smaller share of federal R and D funding. NASA plans to make awards as cooperative agreements, meaning recipients should expect substantial involvement from NASA in guiding or collaborating on the work compared with a standard grant. Awards are contingent on available funds and will be selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition.

Funding under this solicitation is relatively modest but multi-year: up to $100,000 total for a period of performance of up to 36 months. NASA anticipated making around 10 awards. The program is aligned with CFDA 43.008 and is categorized under an education-related funding activity, but its goals are broader than classroom activities alone, emphasizing research capacity, partnerships, and long-term competitiveness. The original application deadline for this cycle was March 6, 2017, and the opportunity was posted on December 5, 2016.

The solicitation lays out several core objectives. First, it aims to build and expand research capability in eligible NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions in areas that matter to NASA's mission, helping states and territories develop expertise and infrastructure that can connect to NASA priorities. Second, it seeks to improve a jurisdiction's ability to attract and sustain research support beyond the EPSCoR program itself, essentially using EPSCoR funding as a catalyst to compete more effectively for other federal, state, and private sources. Third, it prioritizes the creation and strengthening of partnerships that link NASA research assets with universities and industry, encouraging collaborations that can move knowledge, people, and technology across institutions. Fourth, the program is intended to contribute to the broader research infrastructure and science and technology base of the jurisdiction, with the expectation that benefits extend to higher education systems and, ultimately, economic development. Finally, it explicitly supports improving the overall environment for STEM education, recognizing that a stronger pipeline of students and trained researchers is part of building sustainable competitiveness.

Eligibility is unusually restrictive and is defined by statute (Public Law 102-588). Proposals may only be submitted by the NASA EPSCoR Director for each eligible jurisdiction, and only from the lead institution where that director is currently serving. In practical terms, individual faculty members or universities cannot apply directly unless their jurisdiction's NASA EPSCoR Director submits on their behalf, and each eligible jurisdiction is limited to a single proposal submission for this solicitation.

The eligible jurisdictions listed in the notice include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Guam, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The notice also references state-controlled institutions of higher education and states that National Science Foundation EPSCoR eligibility tables are used to determine jurisdiction eligibility for NASA EPSCoR, pointing applicants to the NSF eligibility table resource for details.

Overall, this CAN is best understood as a capacity-building and partnership-driven funding opportunity: small, strategic awards intended to help EPSCoR jurisdictions strengthen NASA-relevant research capabilities, build durable collaborations with NASA and industry, improve competitiveness for future funding, and support STEM development in ways that leave lasting infrastructure and workforce benefits beyond the life of the award.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 NASA EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE {CAN}" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.008.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-12-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-03-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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