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

Opportunity Information: Apply for 80JSC018N0001 SANS

NASA Johnson Space Center, through NASA's Human Research Program (HRP), issued a solicited research announcement under the Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) umbrella solicitation (80JSC018N0001). This specific call is Appendix C, titled "Countermeasures for Mitigation of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS)," and it is aimed at funding applied research that directly supports HRP goals related to astronaut health and mission readiness during human spaceflight.

The core focus of the opportunity is on developing and testing countermeasures to reduce or prevent SANS, a set of eye and vision changes that can occur during spaceflight and is widely considered a risk for longer-duration missions. NASA is looking for proposals that investigate both the mechanisms behind SANS and the evaluation of potential countermeasures, specifically using a novel ground-based analog: head-down tilt bed rest. This type of bed rest study is commonly used to mimic some physiological effects of microgravity, and in this context it is being used as a controlled environment to study neuro-ocular changes and assess interventions intended to mitigate them.

The solicitation uses a two-step proposal process. Step-1 proposals were due January 4, 2019, and only applicants invited forward by NASA would submit a Step-2 proposal, due April 4, 2019. NASA also scheduled a virtual pre-proposers conference for December 17, 2018, intended to clarify requirements, expectations, and the research need, with additional information to be posted in NSPIRES alongside the solicitation materials.

From an eligibility standpoint, the call is broadly open: all categories of U.S. institutions may apply, described as unrestricted eligibility subject to any clarifications in the full text. Principal Investigators are permitted to build teams that include universities, federal laboratories, private-sector partners, and state or local government labs. In collaborative arrangements, the applicant organization remains responsible for overall project administration and for carrying out the management approach described in its proposal. NASA also notes its general policy on collaborating with non-U.S. organizations: such participation is allowed on a cooperative basis with no exchange of funds, meaning international partners can contribute, but NASA funding would not be provided directly to those non-U.S. entities.

In terms of award characteristics, the opportunity falls under CFDA 43.003 and supports science and technology research and development. NASA indicated it may use multiple funding instruments depending on the selected effort, including grants, cooperative agreements, or procurement contracts. The expected number of awards was about three, with an anticipated award ceiling of $750,000 per award. The full Appendix C package and associated documents were referenced through the HERO links provided in the announcement, with the broader HERO NRA hosting all currently open appendices.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Appendix C: Countermeasures for Mitigation of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.003.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 04, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 04, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for 80JSC018N0001 SANS

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