The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) intends to issue a Cooperative AgreementNotice (CAN) soliciting proposals to administer the Minority Institution Research Support(MIRS) Program through a cooperative agreement.The NAI MIRS program is intended to address the critical shortage of minority students inScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields in the United States byproviding opportunities for talented faculty and students to partner with astrobiologyinvestigators. The MIRS program has historically provided opportunities for faculty atMinority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to initiate joint partnerships with astrobiologyresearchers through summer sabbaticals, follow-up support, and travel opportunities forfaculty and students.This CAN will be released on July 9, 2010, and will be available electronically throughhttp://nspires.nasaprs.com . Eligible organizations may submit proposals that provideevidence of the capability and proven experience necessary to manage and administer ahigh-quality, nation-wide program with a strong linkage to NASAs short and long-termresearch interests. Participation is open to all organizations as listed in Section 3.0of the announcement. Electronically submitted Notices of Intent to propose are requested by August 6, 2010.The proposal due date is October 7, 2010. The electronic submission of each proposal'sCover Page/Proposal Summary/Budget Summary is required by the due date for proposalsubmission.This solicitation, leading to the award of a Cooperative Agreement, is issued pursuant totitle 14 CFR Part 1260 for educational and nonprofit institutions and 14 CFR part 1274for commercial organizations. Cost sharing is required pursuant to 14 CFR 1274 forcommercial organizations.Notwithstanding the posting of this opportunity at FedBizOpps.gov, Grants.gov, or at bothsites, NASA reserves the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for eachproposal selected pursuant to this announcement.Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.Direct questions specifically regarding this solicitation to: Beatrice Morales, ARC GrantOfficer, 650-604-2074,
[email protected]