INTRODUCTION:

The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) is pleased to announce the FY24 ARIA request for proposals.

The Ames Research Innovation Award (ARIA) invests in highly innovative, exploratory, and high risk – high return scientific research that directly supports advancing the strategic direction of Ames and the Agency. It promotes the vitality of Ames through strategic investments in scientific research, capabilities, and people. This advanced research investment helps make Ames and the Agency more competitive, provides opportunities for risk reduction and increased cost effectiveness, and initiates potentially transformational solutions to the most challenging mission-related problems.

PROPOSAL SCOPE:

This call is open to NASA Ames civil servant only. ARIA encourages development of new investigations that stress innovation, exploration, and/or the interdisciplinary nature of the proposed work.

It is incumbent upon the proposer to demonstrate clearly the true innovation of the proposed project, based on existing state-of-the-art, and to demonstrate how their proposal supports Agency objectives and Center priorities.

All NASA research areas are within the scope of this call.

The following areas are not within the scope of this call and are not allowed:

• Augmentation of already funded programs or projects;
• Projects that could be funded from established program resources (including mission directorate programs) or other NASA funds;
• Projects that have consistently failed peer review;
• Construction of facilities or general equipment purchases;
• Funding of contractor-led research.

FY24 ARIA General Background Information and Instructions

ELIGIBILITY, FUNDING AMOUNTS, AND PROJECT DURATION:

The ARIA call is only open to NASA Ames civil servants. Requested budget may not exceed $50K procurement; there is no allocation for FTE.

• Funding may not be used to support travel;
• Co-investigators may be located at other institutions;
• Support contractors should not be funded through this effort.

Decisions regarding awards will be based on availability of funds. All funding must be used by September 30, 2024.

PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

All FY24 ARIA proposers must submit the following to jacob.cohen-1@nasa.gov with the subject line PI LAST NAME_FY24 ARIA by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on April 9, 2024:

1. Cover page (1-page)
2. Proposal (2-pages)
3. Budget breakdown (1-page)
4. Summary slide (1-page)
5. 100-word narrative summary

Templates for the cover page, proposal, budget breakdown, summary slide, and 100-word narrative are included in the package. All submitted documents must adhere to instructions printed in blue. Proposers must use 1-inch margins and 12-point standard font (Times or Arial).

NOTE: Proposers have the responsibility to clearly explain the critical details needed for a reviewer to properly assess the proposal. Proposers should not assume that reviewers are experts in the specific area, nor that the reviewers will look at any other material than what is provided in the proposal, nor the references listed in the proposal.

PROPOSAL APPROVAL:

Proposers must inform their Branch and/or Division managers about their ARIA proposals for concurrence on the strategic value, availability of labor resources, and proposal-development support. This step is important to ensure availability of resources needed to deliver in the time allotted, if selected. Approval of a Branch Chief or higher is required for proposal submission.

GENERAL SELECTION PROCESS:

ARIA proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria: research merit; soundness of the approach; strategic relevance and value to Ames and NASA; and future funding prospects.

The Ames Research Center Research and Technology Council (ARTC) will evaluate all submitted proposals that meet the above criteria. The OCS will provide input to the Center Director who will make the final selection.

All awardees will be required to submit a final report and participate in the Ames Research and Technology Showcase.

Award duration is for up to 12 months; all funding must be obligated by September 30, 2024.

ARIA SCHEDULE:

Proposals Due Date: April 9,2024
Start of Award: June 2024 (Anticipated)
Final Report: 13 months after start date
Participation in Ames Research and Technology Showcase (ARTS): TBA

Note: participation in ARTS is required.

A report template will be provided to all awardees.

FY24 ARIA proposals package must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (PDT) April 9, 2024 via email to jacob.cohen1@nasa.gov with “PILastName FY24 ARIA” in the subject line.

Please note that late submissions will not be accepted nor reviewed.

Questions regarding the FY24 ARIA should be addressed to Jacob.cohen-1@nasa.gov