Appendix C: Countermeasures for Mitigation of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome | 80JSC018N0001 SANS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this NASA funding opportunity?

This is a solicited research announcement issued by NASA Johnson Space Center through NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) under the Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) umbrella solicitation (80JSC018N0001). The specific call is Appendix C, titled "Countermeasures for Mitigation of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS)."

2) What is the main purpose of Appendix C?

The purpose is to fund applied research that directly supports HRP goals tied to astronaut health and mission readiness during human spaceflight, with a specific focus on developing and testing countermeasures intended to reduce or prevent Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS).

3) What problem or risk area is NASA trying to address?

NASA is targeting Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), described as a set of eye and vision changes that can occur during spaceflight and is widely considered a risk for longer-duration missions.

4) What kinds of research topics are in scope for this call?

Proposals are expected to investigate the mechanisms behind SANS and evaluate potential countermeasures. The call emphasizes countermeasure development and testing in a controlled environment intended to support mitigation of SANS.

5) Does NASA specify a particular study model or experimental approach?

Yes. The solicitation highlights use of a novel ground-based analog: head-down tilt bed rest. This bed rest approach is commonly used to mimic some physiological effects of microgravity and, in this context, is used to study neuro-ocular changes and assess interventions intended to mitigate them.

6) What is head-down tilt bed rest and why is it being used here?

Head-down tilt bed rest is described as a ground-based analog commonly used to mimic some physiological effects of microgravity. For this opportunity, it is being used as a controlled environment to study neuro-ocular changes and to assess countermeasures aimed at mitigating SANS.

7) Is this opportunity focused on basic research or applied research?

The call is aimed at applied research that directly supports HRP goals related to astronaut health and mission readiness.

8) What is the proposal submission process?

The solicitation uses a two-step proposal process. Step-1 proposals were due January 4, 2019. Only applicants invited forward by NASA would submit a Step-2 proposal, which was due April 4, 2019.

9) Do all applicants submit a Step-2 proposal?

No. Step-2 proposals are only submitted by applicants who are invited forward by NASA after the Step-1 submission.

10) When were the proposal deadlines?

Step-1 proposals were due January 4, 2019. Invited Step-2 proposals were due April 4, 2019.

11) Was there a pre-proposers conference?

Yes. NASA scheduled a virtual pre-proposers conference for December 17, 2018, intended to clarify requirements, expectations, and the research need.

12) Where would additional solicitation details and updates be posted?

Additional information related to the virtual pre-proposers conference was expected to be posted in NSPIRES alongside the solicitation materials. The Appendix C package and associated documents were also referenced through the HERO links provided in the announcement.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

The call is broadly open to all categories of U.S. institutions, described as unrestricted eligibility (subject to any clarifications in the full text of the solicitation).

14) Can the Principal Investigator (PI) build a multi-organization team?

Yes. PIs are permitted to build teams that include universities, federal laboratories, private-sector partners, and state or local government labs.

15) In a collaboration, who is responsible for managing the overall project?

In collaborative arrangements, the applicant organization remains responsible for overall project administration and for carrying out the management approach described in its proposal.

16) Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

NASA notes a general policy that collaborating with non-U.S. organizations is allowed on a cooperative basis with no exchange of funds. This means international partners may contribute, but NASA funding would not be provided directly to those non-U.S. entities.

17) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.003.

18) What type of activities does the funding support?

It supports science and technology research and development.

19) What funding instruments might NASA use for selected projects?

NASA indicated it may use multiple funding instruments depending on the selected effort, including grants, cooperative agreements, or procurement contracts.

20) How many awards did NASA expect to make?

The expected number of awards was about three.

21) What was the anticipated maximum funding amount per award?

The anticipated award ceiling was $750,000 per award.

22) Where does this call fit within NASA's broader solicitations?

This call is Appendix C under the HERO umbrella solicitation (80JSC018N0001). The broader HERO NRA hosts all currently open appendices, and the Appendix C package was referenced through the HERO links provided in the announcement.

23) What NASA center and program are associated with this call?

The opportunity is associated with NASA Johnson Space Center and is issued through NASA's Human Research Program (HRP).

24) What is the stated connection to astronaut health and mission readiness?

The announcement states that the work is intended to directly support HRP goals related to astronaut health and mission readiness during human spaceflight, particularly by addressing the risk posed by SANS on longer-duration missions.