2018 NASA EPSCoR Research and Travel Opportunities

The South Dakota NASA EPSCoR office announces the following funding opportunities which are available to faculty at all institutions of higher education in South Dakota.

U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for these grants.

Additional information and application guidelines on each grant type can be accessed by following the appropriate links provided

1. Research Seed Grants (Research Initiation Grants) (deadline Nov. 3, 2017)

Research Initiation Grants (RIGs) of up to $23,000 (NASA funds) for single-institution projects or $46,000 (NASA funds) for multiple-institution projects are available to promote projects that align with NASA research and development priorities. A letter of endorsement by a collaborator at NASA Headquarters, a NASA Center, or a NASA contractor is strongly recommended.

RIG grants have a period of performance of 9 months and are designed to assist early-stage NASA-related research projects to become more competitive for NASA EPSCoR Major Research Grants or for other sources of long-term support. Research Initiation Grants require 1:1 non-federal matching funds.

For details and application instructions see:

• SD NASA EPSCoR FY 2018 Research Initiation Grant application guidelines
• SD NASA EPSCoR proposal budget template
• SD NASA EPSCoR current and pending support form

2. Pre-Proposals for Major Research Grants (anticipate new RFP in calendar 2018)

There is currently no NASA EPSCoR RFP for the Major Research Grant competition. These are awards made by NASA on a competitive basis that provide $750,000 (NASA funds) over a three-year period. Past awards require 50% ($375,000) cost-sharing with non-federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate a strong connection with NASA scientists or engineers in the form of one or more support letters.

We anticipate a new solicitation from NASA sometime in calendar 2018. A copy of the most recent RFP (FY17/18) as well as abstracts of recently funded projects can be accessed at:

• FY 2017-2018 NASA EPSCoR Research RFP (this is last year’s NASA RFP)
• Abstracts of FY 2017 NASA EPSCoR Research Awards (last year’s selections)

3. Travel Grants (open deadline, travel must be completed by Sept. 30, 2018)

Travel Grants are available for visits to NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, or NASA contractors with the purpose of developing research collaborations. Travel Grants require 1:1 non-federal matching funds.

For details and application instructions see:

• SD NASA EPSCoR FY 2018 Travel Grant guidelines

4. Tribal College Collaboration Grants (deadline Nov. 3, 2017)

Tribal College Collaboration Grants are available for up to $15,000 (NASA funds) to support research or curriculum development activities involving tribal college faculty or staff working with counterparts at a public or private university in South Dakota. Tribal College Collaboration Grants require 1:1 non-federal matching funds.

For details and application instructions see:

• SD NASA EPSCoR FY 2018 Tribal College Collaboration Grant application guidelines
• SD NASA EPSCoR proposal budget template