Research That Falls in a Gap Between Current SMD Solicitations

This is a summary notice for Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will take action in this matter. This notice is not a complete or verbatim summary of the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) RFI entitled: “Research That Falls in a Gap Between Current SMD Solicitations”; therefore, it is necessary to visit the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) https://nspires.nasaprs.com and download the full version of the RFI solicitation number NNH20ZDA003L. On or after the date of the SAM notice, NSPIRES will publish the RFI in full. In the event of any future lapses to the NASA operations, respondents should visit NSPIRES, the official NASA source for the full RFI. Summary The NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is soliciting information on research that is aligned with the agency mission and SMD’s Science Plan but falls in a gap between current solicitations, possibly because it is interdisciplinary or interdivisional. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) will be used to inform a decision as to whether the portfolio of current program elements in the Research Opportunities for Space and Earth Science (ROSES) needs to be modified and/or expanded to provide the proper avenue for such research. Context NASA seeks to advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting interdisciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines. NASA Science traditionally has operated within the divisional structure identified in the SMD Science Plan and, within these, typically solicits along the lines of widely recognized scientific disciplines. NASA recognizes that there is tremendous potential to make revolutionary scientific advances not just within these disciplines but also at the interfaces between and among disciplines. The SMD divisions already provide some opportunities for interdisciplinary research within the research of the individual divisions, but NASA Science also seeks to provide opportunities for integrated, interdisciplinary research that crosses the boundaries associated with the individual SMD divisions and encourages collaboration among their respective scientific communities. Request for Information SMD seeks broad input from the community to help NASA better understand what research opportunities that span the interest of two or more SMD divisions are being missed. This could include both research that addresses the interconnectedness of the science across the divisions or addresses common techniques and/or processes that underpin the work of two or more divisions that is typically not explicitly addressed in the divisions’ solicitations. Responses to this RFI will be used by NASA to inform a decision as to whether the portfolio of current program elements in ROSES need to be modified and/or expanded to provide the proper avenue for such research. Issuance of this RFI does not imply a new NASA commitment of funding for research in these areas. A suggested structure for the response is as follows: Short statement of an area of interdivisional research that is aligned with NASA and SMD strategic science goals but does not fit into any current or recent (e.g., over the past three years) ROSES element. Short statement of the central idea for a specific research investigation within this area of interdivisional research and how it addresses NASA and SMD research priorities. A short description as to why this research area and/or research investigation do not fit into any current or recent ROSES element or processes. Suggestions for specific topics for new ROSES element(s), as well as changes to language in existing element(s) that would remove constraints that currently limit proposals for interdivisional work are encouraged. This RFI may require one to three pages of information. The RFI will be in the form of a PDF Notice of Intent (NOI). RFI respondents must be registered with NSPIRES. See registration instructions at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select “Getting an account”), and submit the PDF via NSPIRES. Neither institution registration nor an institution affiliation is required to respond to this RFI. RFI submissions are due no later than January 31, 2020. It is emphasized that this RFI is for planning and information purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Contact Point Questions concerning this RFI should be addressed to Dr. Kartik Sheth, Program Scientist, Science Mission Directorate; Telephone: (202) 358-4805; E-mail: [email protected] .