On January 2, 2009, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD), is releasing a Cooperative Agreement Notice (NNH09ZDA004C) soliciting proposals for Science Education and Public Outreach Forums to collaborate with SMD in execution of its Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) program. The objective of the effort is to increase the overall coherence of the SMD E/PO program leading to more effective, sustainable, and efficient utilization of SMD science discoveries and learning experiences. It is anticipated that there will be a total of four awards with one Science Education and Public Outreach Forum (SEPOF) being individually affiliated with each of the four SMD Science Divisions: Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science. The areas to be addressed by this Cooperative Agreement include, but are not limited to, the following areas of collaboration: * E/PO Community Engagement and Development; * Division E/PO Product and Project Activity Analysis; and * SEPOF Coordination Committee Service. Proposals should clearly articulate an approach to the overall objective and to these areas of activity that extends the value of SMD investments in E/PO and contributes to NASAís education and outreach efforts. NASA anticipates making $3.5 M per year available for this selection. Awards will be for 5 years duration. Participation is open to all categories of domestic organizations, including industry, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other Government agencies. Upon its release date, this Cooperative Agreement Notice will be available electronically from http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then select "Open Solicitations" then select " NNH09ZDA004C"). Notices of Intent (NOIs) are due February 11, 2009, and proposals are due April 9, 2009. Additional programmatic information can be obtained from: Dr. Larry P. Cooper, E/PO Program Officer, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546; Tel: (202) 358-1531; email:
[email protected].