HERO Appendix E: Space Radiobiology and Human Health Countermeasures Topics

This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA), entitled Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO)–2016, solicits applied research in support of NASA’s Human Research Program. Research response area NRA NNJ16ZSA001N-SRHHC “Space Radiobiology and Human Health Countermeasures Topics” is Appendix E of the Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) NRA (NNJ16ZSA001N). Proposals are solicited by NASA in the areas of Evaluation of Current Clinical Markers as Surrogate Endpoints for Space Radiation-Induced Cardiovascular Disease; Evaluation of Animal Model Systems and Common Pathways in Understanding Space Radiation-Induced Late CNS Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease; Approaches to Evaluate Sex Dependence and Quality Effects on Space Radiation Carcinogenesis; Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) Simulator Validation Experiments: Dose-Rate Dependence; In-Flight Cognitive and Behavioral Central Nervous System Risks from Space Radiation; and Combined Effects of Simulated Weightlessness and Space Radiation on Cardiovascular Structure and Function. Please note that the last topic is being jointly solicited by HRP and NASA’s Space Biology (SB) Program. Awards range from under $150K per year for focused, limited efforts to $600K per year for extensive activities. Awards will be made as grants. The period of performance for an award is one to four years. All categories of United States (U.S.) institutions are eligible to submit proposals in response to this NRA. The solicitation uses a two-step proposal process. Proposals that do not conform to the standards outlined in the solicitation will be declared noncompliant and will be handled in accordance with the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. On or about March 22, 2017, the NRA will be available electronically through NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) by going to http://nspires.nasaprs.com A virtual Pre-Proposers Conference is scheduled for March 31, 2017, and more details will be posted shortly alongside the solicitation on NSPIRES. Appendix E Step-1 pre-proposals are due April 24, 2017. Invited Appendix E Step-2 proposals are due July 17, 2017. 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. Electronically submitted Step-1 pre-proposals are required. This is a broad agency announcement as specified in FAR 6.102 (d) (2).