Opportunity Information: Apply for 80HQTR19NOA01 20STP S1
NASA Headquarters issued the Smallsat Technology Partnerships solicitation on September 11, 2019 as an appendix under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement called Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2019 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2019). The opportunity is run through NASA's NSPIRES system (with proposals also allowed via Grants.gov), and it is designed to fund university-led work that pushes small spacecraft technology forward in ways that are faster to develop, more capable, and more affordable than traditional approaches. The funding comes from STMD's Small Spacecraft Technology program, which focuses on enabling practical mission capabilities for NASA science and exploration while also producing solutions that can be reused across the wider smallsat community in academia, industry, and government.
The core purpose of the program is to support small, affordable, rapid, and transformative development projects and demonstration missions. In other words, NASA is looking for teams that can build and prove technology on realistic small spacecraft timelines and budgets, with clear relevance to mission needs. A major emphasis is on partnerships: NASA wants to collaborate with university teams that already have smallsat experience, but it also explicitly wants to broaden participation by extending support to colleges and universities that have little or no previous involvement in small spacecraft development. To meet both goals at once, institutions with established smallsat programs are encouraged to team with less-experienced schools, helping build capability across the higher education ecosystem.
Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. universities (both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education). A key requirement is that proposers must team with a NASA Center, and the solicitation includes the detailed rules for how that teaming must be structured. There are also participation limits for investigators: a person may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on only one proposal submitted to this solicitation, though that same individual may still participate on additional proposals in other roles such as Co-Investigator (Co-I), subject to the restrictions described in the solicitation.
Unlike broad calls that accept many different ideas, this solicitation only accepts proposals that directly address one of three specific technical topic areas. The first topic is a Lunar Communications and Navigation Network, which points toward small spacecraft contributions to lunar communications relay and positioning/navigation capabilities. The second is Smallsat Propulsion for Lunar Missions, aimed at propulsion approaches suitable for small spacecraft operating in or traveling to lunar environments. The third is Advanced Electrical Power Subsystem and Thermal Management Technology, focusing on better power generation, storage, distribution, and heat management methods that fit within smallsat mass, volume, and power constraints. NASA also notes that other topics may be added in future releases, but for this round proposals had to be clearly responsive to one of these three.
From a funding and award standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary federal assistance program using cooperative agreements (CFDA 43.012). NASA expected to make about five awards, with an award ceiling listed at $400,000, although the final number of awards would depend on the quality and merit of the proposals received and NASA explicitly reserved the right to make no awards. The agency anticipated awards beginning in late March 2020, which implies a relatively quick transition from selection to project start compared to many longer-cycle research programs.
The submission timeline was also clearly defined. A mandatory Notice of Intent was due October 4, 2019 and had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES. Full proposals were due November 6, 2019, submitted electronically via NSPIRES or Grants.gov by an authorized organizational representative. NASA emphasized the practical need to register in NSPIRES, learn the submission system in advance, and upload materials early rather than waiting until the deadline, since late or incomplete submissions can jeopardize eligibility.
For questions, NASA provided two main points of contact. Technical and programmatic questions were directed to the Small Spacecraft Technology Program Executive, Christopher Baker, at HQ-STMD-SST-Partnerships@nasaprs.com. Acquisition-related questions were directed to Beatrice Morales at Beatrice.M.Morales@nasa.gov. NASA indicated that responses would be provided by email and might also be added to the solicitation FAQ on NSPIRES, with anonymity preserved for those submitting questions. The opportunity was identified under Funding Opportunity Number 80HQTR19NOA01 (20STP S1), titled Smallsat Technology Partnerships, with the original closing date of November 6, 2019.Apply for 80HQTR19NOA01 20STP S1
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Smallsat Technology Partnerships" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 11, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 06, 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 $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NASA Smallsat Technology Partnerships (SpaceTech-REDDI-2019 Appendix)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is NASA Headquarters' Smallsat Technology Partnerships solicitation, issued on September 11, 2019 as an appendix under NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2019 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2019).
What is the goal of the Smallsat Technology Partnerships solicitation?
The goal is to fund university-led work that advances small spacecraft technology in ways that are faster to develop, more capable, and more affordable than traditional approaches. NASA is looking for development projects and demonstration missions that can be built and proven on realistic small spacecraft timelines and budgets and that are clearly relevant to NASA mission needs.
Which NASA program is providing the funding?
Funding comes from STMD's Small Spacecraft Technology program. This program emphasizes enabling practical mission capabilities for NASA science and exploration while producing solutions that can be reused across the wider smallsat community in academia, industry, and government.
What types of projects is NASA trying to support?
NASA describes the focus as small, affordable, rapid, and transformative development projects and demonstration missions. The solicitation emphasizes building and proving technology (not just studying it) within small spacecraft constraints and with clear mission relevance.
Is partnering required?
Yes. A key requirement is that proposers must team with a NASA Center, and the solicitation contains detailed rules describing how the teaming must be structured.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. universities, including both public/state-controlled institutions and private institutions of higher education.
Does NASA want only universities with extensive smallsat experience?
No. NASA wants to collaborate with university teams that have smallsat experience, but it also explicitly aims to broaden participation by supporting colleges and universities with little or no prior involvement in small spacecraft development.
Can experienced smallsat universities partner with less-experienced institutions?
Yes. Institutions with established smallsat programs are encouraged to team with less-experienced schools to help build capability across the higher education ecosystem.
Are there limits on how investigators can participate?
Yes. An individual may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on only one proposal submitted to this solicitation. That same person may still participate on additional proposals in other roles (for example, as a Co-Investigator), subject to the restrictions described in the solicitation.
How many technical topics can proposals address?
For this round, proposals had to be clearly responsive to one of three specific technical topic areas identified in the solicitation. Proposals outside those topics were not accepted under this appendix.
What are the three technical topic areas for this solicitation?
The three required topic areas are:
- Lunar Communications and Navigation Network
- Smallsat Propulsion for Lunar Missions
- Advanced Electrical Power Subsystem and Thermal Management Technology
What does the Lunar Communications and Navigation Network topic focus on?
This topic points to small spacecraft contributions to lunar communications relay and positioning/navigation capabilities.
What does the Smallsat Propulsion for Lunar Missions topic focus on?
This topic is aimed at propulsion approaches suitable for small spacecraft operating in or traveling to lunar environments.
What does the Advanced Electrical Power Subsystem and Thermal Management Technology topic focus on?
This topic focuses on improved power generation, storage, and distribution as well as heat management methods that fit within smallsat mass, volume, and power constraints.
Will NASA add more topic areas later?
NASA noted that other topics may be added in future releases. For this specific release, proposals needed to address one of the three listed topics.
What kind of award instrument is expected?
This is a discretionary federal assistance opportunity using cooperative agreements (CFDA 43.012).
How many awards does NASA expect to make?
NASA expected to make about five awards, depending on the quality and merit of proposals received.
What is the maximum award amount?
The solicitation listed an award ceiling of $400,000.
Is NASA required to make awards?
No. NASA explicitly reserved the right to make no awards.
When did NASA anticipate awards would begin?
NASA anticipated awards beginning in late March 2020.
How do applicants submit a proposal?
The opportunity is run through NASA's NSPIRES system, with proposals also allowed via Grants.gov. Full proposals had to be submitted electronically via NSPIRES or Grants.gov by an authorized organizational representative.
Is a Notice of Intent required?
Yes. A mandatory Notice of Intent was due October 4, 2019 and had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES.
When were full proposals due?
Full proposals were due November 6, 2019.
Who must submit the full proposal?
Full proposals had to be submitted electronically via NSPIRES or Grants.gov by an authorized organizational representative.
What does NASA recommend regarding NSPIRES registration and submission timing?
NASA emphasized registering in NSPIRES, learning the submission system in advance, and uploading materials early rather than waiting until the deadline, since late or incomplete submissions can jeopardize eligibility.
Where can applicants find the official solicitation identifier and title?
The opportunity is identified under Funding Opportunity Number 80HQTR19NOA01 (20STP S1), titled "Smallsat Technology Partnerships," with an original closing date of November 6, 2019.
Who should applicants contact with technical or programmatic questions?
Technical and programmatic questions were directed to the Small Spacecraft Technology Program Executive, Christopher Baker, at HQ-STMD-SST-Partnerships@nasaprs.com.
Who should applicants contact with acquisition-related questions?
Acquisition-related questions were directed to Beatrice Morales at Beatrice.M.Morales@nasa.gov.
How will NASA provide responses to submitted questions?
NASA indicated responses would be provided by email and might also be added to the solicitation FAQ on NSPIRES. NASA stated anonymity would be preserved for those submitting questions.
Is this solicitation part of a larger NASA announcement?
Yes. It was issued as an appendix under the STMD umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA) Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2019 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2019).
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