This is an umbrella Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) which explains the basic goals and requirements for HERO funding. Details of solicited research opportunities, including topics and proposal due dates, will be provided in appendices to this NOFO. These appendices will be posted as separate documents through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). It is anticipated that several appendices will be issued throughout the year depending on funding availability and research needs.
The research will fall into one or more categories corresponding to the HRP’s five Elements: • Space Radiation • Human Health Countermeasures • Exploration Medical Capability • Human Factors and Behavioral Performance • Research Operations and Integration.
ISSUED DATE: Valid November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025
REFER TO APPENDICES FOR EXACT DUE DATES.
Appendix A: NASA Human Research Program Omnibus Opportunity
- Step-1 Proposals Due: Dec. 2, 2024
- Step-2 Proposals Due: March 11, 2025
Toexpedite progress in various research areas in a short period of time, NASA is requesting proposals for short-term investigations or technology development projects that provide innovative approaches to any of the risks and associated knowledge gaps contained in the Human Research Program (HRP) Integrated Research Plan (IRP). Proposers may access the most current Web-based version of the IRP at the Human Research Roadmap (HRR) Web site at https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov.
The results of these short-term investigations are anticipated to deliver new tools, techniques, or knowledge that could lead to novel breakthroughs addressing one or more of the risks and gaps in the IRP. These short-term investigations may provide initial results testing a new scientific approach, or they may provide the initial proof-of-concept for a new technology or method that has not yet been proven to address a risk or gap in the IRP. All short-term investigations are expected to produce novel scientific knowledge or technology development that can stand alone to address a risk or gap in the IRP, but these investigations may also provide the necessary preliminary results to justify a full proposal to a future NASA solicitation. Proposers that request NASA archived data should fill out the Retrospective Data Request Study Feasibility Assessment Form posted alongside this Appendix.
All categories of United States (U.S.) institutions are eligible under this NOFO. Investigators may collaborate with universities, the private sector, non-profits, and federal, state, or 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.
Investigators and organizations may submit more than one proposal in response to solicitations under this NOFO. However, identical, or substantially similar proposals may NOT be submitted to more than one topic area or Appendix unless the previous submission has been uninvited (if Step-1), invited but not continued (if Step-1), declined (if Step-2), or withdrawn. Violating this rule will result in HRP declining the more recently submitted proposal.
The funding duration will depend on proposal requirements outlined in each Appendix, peer review panel recommendations, and continuing progress of the activity. Omnibus projects are typically 1-year of funding for up to $250,000 per award. Flagship projects are typically 3-5 years of funding ranging from $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 per award. Grants are funded in one-year increments.