DRAFT Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) Cooperative Agreement Notice (NNH26ZDA013J) Released for Comment
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate (HSMD) released the draft of the fifth Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN-5) as NNH26ZDA013J for public comment.
SSERVI CAN-5 (NNH26ZDA013J): NSPIRES - Solicitations Summary
The CAN invites multi-institutional, team-based proposals for research as participating members of SSERVI. Proposals must clearly articulate an innovative research program addressing basic and/or applied research fundamental to understanding the nature of the Moon and its near-space environment to enable future human exploration of the Moon with Artemis. “Mars forward” proposals that use lunar-focused research to develop approaches to Mars exploration also are welcome.
Proposals must be anonymous and will be reviewed using dual anonymous peer review (DAPR). Step-2 (full) proposals will be divided into two volumes: Volume A consists of the anonymous proposal material, and Volume B contains the non-anonymous material. Proposal review, selection, and award will follow the guidelines set forth in Sections F and G of the funding announcement. Proposed research that complements current CAN-4 Institute Teams, and/or addresses important research areas not currently covered in the Institute, will receive strong consideration (current teams: Solar System Exploration Research Institute (SSERVI) - SSERVI).
A SSERVI Draft CAN-5 Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for July 17th at 1:00 PM ET. During this conference, representatives from the co-sponsoring organizations will provide an overview of SSERVI, the scientific and exploration focuses sought in the CAN, and answer community questions. This event will NOT be recorded. The presentation slides will be available after the event at the CAN’s NSPIRES landing page under “Other Documents” and on the SSERVI site. Submit questions to be answered during the conference to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov or via SSERVI CAN 5 Pre-proposal Conference - Conferences i/o by July 16th. Anonymity of those who submit questions and comments will be preserved.
Note from Ryan for the @AIMLawg
I found this in the proposal (pages 10-11) relevant to the space biology domain:
Note that the Astrophysics (APD), Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS), and Heliophysics (HPD) divisions are participating in this CAN as collaborators with the Planetary Science Division (PSD). Stand-alone APD, BPS, or HPD proposals are not solicited; it is intended that research related to these divisions will complement planetary science and exploration research in proposals. Proposals that score highly overall and contain elements from one or more other divisions will be considered for partial funding from those respective divisions. Proposals with APD/BPS/HPD components must ensure that the magnitude of the funded work from these divisions not exceed what each division can financially support. The BPS Division will consider partial funding of one or more proposals with science objectives associated with biology, physical sciences, or fundamental physics for up to $250,000/year for five years. More than one proposal may be partially funded depending on both the proposed budget and whether additional BPS Division funds are available. Similarly, HPD will consider partial funding of one or more proposals with science objectives associated with space weather phenomena and impacts on the exploration environment, history of the Sun and solar system as recorded in the lunar regolith, fundamental plasma processes and plasma-dust interactions elucidated through testing in the lunar environment, and/or localized dynamics of solar wind and radiation at locations targeted for human exploration for up to $250,000/year for five years. APD will consider partial funding, for up to $300,000/year for five years, of one or more meritorious proposals with science objectives that can be addressed by utilizing the Moon as a unique platform and associated with the questions: How does the universe work? How did we get here? Are we alone?
The BPS Division is requesting studies that focus on obtaining a comprehensive understanding and definition of the physical (geological and geotechnical) and chemical properties of lunar regolith, so it can be used as a substrate or resource for growing edible crop plants. The BPS Division is soliciting for investigations that use crop plants, only. Studies will examine regolith properties, such as fluid interaction with and flow through the regolith, regolith particulate sizes and types, regolith mineral composition, and weathering on its properties. Also, simulant regolith will be characterized for how well it mirrors genuine regolith and how simulant must be amended for use in plant growth studies.
The regolith studies will investigate processing and amending regolith to remove heavy metals, increase organic carbon, and extraction of nutrients from regolith to support plant growth. The proposed investigation shall include edible crop plant growth to correlate regolith properties and remediation on plant physiology, yield, and nutritional value. These studies will examine the biological responses of different edible crops to regolith and how the regolith changes over time due to plant organic and inorganic influences from a single generation or multi-generational growth. For space biology topics requiring the use of lunar regolith, it is expected that lunar regolith simulant will be used.
To connect to the Pre-Proposal Conference (Microsoft Teams):
Join: Join conversation
Meeting ID: 240 924 350 063 52
Passcode: RF9Je3ga
Dial in by phone: +1 256-715-9946,77727094# (United States, Huntsville)
Phone conference ID: 777 270 94#
Video ID: 119 993 598 7
Comments and questions on the draft CAN text should be emailed to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov by July 28th. Comments and questions received after this date may not be addressed. Depending on the nature of the questions, NASA may respond individually by email or may post questions and answers (Q&A) on the Draft SSERVI CAN-5 NSPIRES landing page. Posted Q&As are intended to address inquiries of broader interest and general clarification and will be edited to preserve the anonymity of persons and institutions who submit questions.
-Ryan