Awards will be made as cooperative agreements to Minority Serving Institutions. The period of performance for an award is up to 2 years. Prospective proposers are requested to submit any questions in writing to
[email protected] no later than 10 business days before the proposal due date so that NASA will have sufficient time to respond. Only accredited Minority Serving Institutions in the United States are eligible to apply for this NASA Research Announcement (NRA). Proposers to this NRA are required to have the following, no later than the due date: 1) a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, 2) a valid registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) [formerly known as the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)], 3) a valid Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE) Code, 4) a valid registration with NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (this also applies to any entities proposed for sub-awards or subcontracts.) Consult Appendix E Section 3 for more eligibility information. Consult Appendix E Section 2.3 regarding teaming requirements and partnership guidelines.STEM engagement is a priority area for MUREP. STEM engagement establishes a mechanism for learners to be inspired, engaged and educated while progressively being challenged. Research indicates that instructional approaches or learning opportunities that engage students actively increase skill acquisition and information retention; encourage more positive attitudes toward STEM disciplines; and strengthen student persistence to study STEM disciplines. Through coordinated and collaborative efforts as an Agency, utilizing STEM engagement, NASA is attracting and retaining students in STEM disciplines who will contribute to the economic growth and global competiveness of the United States. NASA is investing in the youth of today in order to meet its STEM-related missions of tomorrow. Through activities such as the MAA, NASA is cultivating talent that will allow our Nation to explore space while improving life on Earth. The goal of the NASA MAA is to utilize NASA’s unique resources to: • Build the interest, skills and knowledge necessary for K-12 students to pursue STEM careers by engaging them in authentic STEM experiences built around NASA mission content.The specific objectives of the MAA are to:• Increase the number of historically underserved and underrepresented students interested in NASA-specific STEM careers. • Provide skills to parents/caregivers to work with and encourage their children in STEM activities and programs.• Involve community groups, business, industry, museums and educational and professional organizations through mentoring, field trips, guest speakers and other MAA activities. • Engage students in firsthand experiences in STEM such as hands-on learning, research, use of advanced technology, peer support groups, and mentoring relationships with professionals working in the STEM fields.To achieve these goals and objectives, NASA solicits proposals from MSIs to implement the NASA MAA; to engage youth particularly underserved and underrepresented in authentic STEM experiences related to NASA missions; and to inspire and captivate learners utilizing NASA’s unique assets to develop a keen interest in STEM. Every institution that intends to submit a proposal to this NRA, including the proposed prime award or any partner whether an informal education institution, other non-profit institutions, state and local Government agencies, and other organizations that will serve as sub-awardees or contractors, must be registered in NSPIRES. Electronic submission of proposals is required by the due date and must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal. All principal investigators and other participants (e.g. co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of submission system. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) of interest to familiarize themselves with its structure and enter the requested information. Electronic proposals may be submitted via the NASA proposal data system NSPIRES or via Grants.gov. Organizations that intend to submit proposals via Grants.gov must be registered 1) with Grants.gov and 2) with NSPIRES. Additional programmatic information for this NRA may develop before the proposal due date. If so, such information will be added as a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) or formal amendment to this NRA and posted on http://nspires.nasaprs.com. It is the proposer’s responsibility to regularly check NSPIRES for updates to this NRA.