Exploration

The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) defines and manages systems development for programs critical to the NASA's Artemis campaign and planning for NASA's Moon to Mars exploration approach in an integrated manner. ESDMD mana

Exploration provides for the development of systems and capabilities needed for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. ESDMD is building a space transportation system comprised of the Orion deep crew exploration vehicle, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and Exploration Ground Systems (EGS). These capabilities enable the Agency's Artemis missions, extending human presence into the solar system by transporting crews to lunar orbit and safely back to Earth in preparation for future missions to Mars. Advanced Cislunar and Surface Capabilities (ACSC), Gateway, Human Landing System (HLS), and Exploration Extravehicular Activity (xEVA) and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) will create the exploration infrastructure in lunar orbit and on the lunar surface that astronauts will utilize during Artemis missions and that will inform future missions to Mars. The Exploration Capabilities Program develops habitation systems and technologies to enable long missions on the lunar surface and in deep space and to address high priority technology gaps. MCD will begin conducting preliminary concept studies for future systems, including an eventual transit habitat that will provide living quarters and other basic life support functions for future human mission to Mars.

Categories of organizations that may be eligible for NASA grants and cooperative agreements include: • Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) - A two- or four-year university or college (including U.S. community colleges), public or private, accredited to confer degrees beyond that of the K-12 grade levels. 29 • Educational Institutions - Non-higher-education entities, such as K-12 education groups or institutions of informal education, are classified as Educational Institutions.2 • Non-profit Organization - An organization that: o Is operated primarily for scientific, engineering, educational, research, or similar purposes in the public interest; o Is not organized primarily for profit; o Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the organization's operations; and o Is not an IHE. Non-profit organizations generally exclude (i) colleges and universities; (ii) hospitals; and (iii) state, local, and Federally recognized Indian tribal governments. • For-profit Entity - An organization of any size that is organized primarily for profit. • Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) - FFRDCs are under a broad charter by a Government agency for performing, analyzing, or conducting research for the United States Government. NASA sponsors JPL as the Agency's sole FFRDC, and JPL is not an eligible applicant to receive a NASA-funded grant or cooperative agreement as a recipient or subrecipient3 . However, FFRDCs sponsored by agencies other than NASA may be eligible to receive a NASA-funded award as a recipient or subrecipient. • Non-U.S. Organizations - Organizations outside the U.S. that meet the definitions of foreign organization or foreign public entity in 2 CFR § 200.1. Non-U.S. organizations generally propose for opportunities on a no-exchange-of-funds basis in accordance with NASA policy. NOFOs may be issued jointly with a non-U.S. organization (e.g., those concerning guest observing programs for jointly sponsored space science programs) that will contain additional special guidelines for non-U.S. participants. • State, Local, or Federally-Recognized Tribal Government Agency - o State Government means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, and any agency or instrumentality of a State exclusive of its local governments

Although NASA's statutory authority extends beyond research awards, the Agency primarily issues grants and cooperative agreements to support research and research-related activities. Such activities include, but are not limited to, education, travel, conferences, and training. Information on both active and closed NASA grants and cooperative agreements is publicly available at USAspending.gov. Applicants and recipients must refer to the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and award terms and conditions for program-specific requirements and additional details.

Restrictions on the use of assistance for this listing are governed by the limitations and conditions set forth in NASA's Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM). The GCAM includes a dedicated section on limitations and restrictions, which outlines the circumstances under which funds may not be used. Applicants and recipients should refer to the applicable GCAM limitations provisions, in conjunction with the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), to understand any restrictions that apply. Only restrictions that are unique to this Assistance Listing or organization are identified here; all other standard limitations apply as described in the GCAM.

Generally, up to three years but no more than five years. Review funding opportunity announcement for additional information.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Applicants must follow the proposal submission instructions outlined in the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Specific submission requirements-including whether a Notice of Intent (NOI) and/or Phase I proposals are required-are defined in the individual funding opportunity announcement and may vary by program. In addition, all Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-Investigators (Co-Is) must register in NASA's Solicitation and Proposal Integration and Review System (NSPIRES) at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external as NSPIRES is used to support proposal submission, review, and award processing.

All proposals will undergo an administrative, merit, and financial review. The NASA funding organization responsible for managing the technical aspects of an awarded effort is responsible for the merit review process, which may be based on peer review. All applications for NASA discretionary awards are subject to a merit review with the objective of selecting the recipient most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the objectives outlined in this Assistance Listing. Applicants may consult the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement manual for additional information on NASA Proposal review and selection process. https://www.nasa.gov/grants-policy-and-compliance-team/#Regulations

After proposals are submitted, NASA evaluates all applications to determine funding selections, and applicants are notified of the outcome by email. Award selection announcements generally occur 150 to 220 days after the proposal due date, following approval of NASA funding through the federal budget process. Selection timelines may be extended due to budget delays, required final approvals and concurrence, or if additional information is needed from the applicant, such as revised budgets or supporting details required to finalize the award.

Applicants should review funding opportunity announcement for specific deadlines and other key dates.

For information on application review procedures, applicants should refer to the applicable section of Proposal Review and Selection Criteria of the GCAM: https://www.nasa.gov/grants-policy-and-compliance-team/#Regulations

Renewal and extension information can be found in the NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) and the NASA NSSC website at https://www.nasa.gov/centers/nssc/grants

Information on NASA appeals policy and process can be found in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), and does not apply to proposals returned without review by NASA for an applicant's failure to: a. Submit a late proposal where information regarding the proposal deadline (i.e., date, time, and location) for submission had been previously specified. b. Meet the NASA proposal preparation requirements, such as page limitations, formatting, instructions, and electronic submission. c. Submit a proposal that is responsive to the NOFO or that contains sufficient detail. d. Submit the proposal with enough lead time before the activity is to commence.