This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits hypothesis-driven Space Biology research proposals for 1) Ground-Based Research Designed to Lead to Space Flight, 2) Rapid Turn-Around Space Flight Experiments 3) ISS Flight Experiments and 4) New Space Biology Investigations. NASA Space Biology experiments have one or more of the following primary goals: 1) to effectively use microgravity and the other characteristics of the space environment to enhance our understanding of basic biological processes; 2) to develop the scientific and technological foundations for a safe, productive human presence in space for extended periods and in preparation for exploration; and 3) to apply this knowledge and technology to improve our nation's competitiveness, education, and the quality of life on Earth. NASA Space Biology (SB) experiments will be designed to discover how space flight affects a diverse group of microorganisms, plants, and animals; study the effects of gravity (g) across the g-spectrum, i.e., from micro- to hyper-gravity; and characterize the biological effects of radiation, magnetic fields, and the interaction amongst species in the unusual environments of space and spacecraft. This solicitation (NRA NNH12ZTT001N), entitled, "Research Opportunities in Space Biology," will be available on or about September 30, 2012. This solicitation will be found by opening the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and then linking through the menu listings "Solicitations" to "Open Solicitations." Step-1 proposals are due on October 31, 2012 at 5 PM Eastern Time, and invited Step-2 proposals are due on December 19, 2012 at 5 PM Eastern Time. Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Proposers can use either NSPIRES (see URL above) or Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov ) for proposal submission. NASAs selection of research projects will be guided by recommendations of the National Research Councils 2011 Decadal Survey Report, Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era (http:www.nap.edu/catalog/13048.html ) All categories of U.S. institutions are eligible to submit proposals in response to this NRA. Principal Investigators (PIs) may collaborate with investigators from universities, Federal Government laboratories, the private sector, state and local government laboratories and other countries. Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to this NRA must be registered with NSPIRES, and such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal. Instructions on how to register in NSPIRES will be described in the NRA. Each electronic proposal system places requirements on the registration of principal investigators and other participants (e.g. co-investigators). 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. Questions in regards to responding to this NRA may be addressed to the contacts referenced in the full solicitation document. This is a broad agency announcement as specified in FAR 6.102 (d)(2). Notwithstanding the posting of this opportunity at FedBizOpps.gov, nspires.nasaprs.com, or Grants.gov, NASA reserves the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each proposal selected pursuant to this announcement. For technical information regarding the use of flight hardware: Dr. Howard G. Levine NASA ISS Ground Processing and Research Office Mail Code UB-C Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 Phone: 321-861-3502 Email:
[email protected] For technical information regarding ground to flight research: Dr. Jeffrey D. Smith Space Biology Project Scientist Mail Stop 236-5 NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035 Phone 650-604-0880 Email:
[email protected] Programmatic information for this NRA and information on New Investigation Proposals is available from: Dr. David L. Tomko Program Executive for Space Biology Life and Physical Sciences Division NASA Headquarters Phone: 202-358-2211 Email:
[email protected] Additional NASA contracting information for this NRA is available from: Cassandra Williams Contract Specialist NASA Shared Services Center Email:
[email protected] Phone: (228) 813-6271