Support for Planetary Sample Science (SPSS) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) | NNH23ZDA017C

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH23ZDA017C

NASA's Support for Planetary Sample Science (SPSS) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) is a funding opportunity from NASA Headquarters through the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), specifically tied to the Planetary Science Division (PSD). It is designed to support planetary science research and related science activities that make use of NASA-held extraterrestrial samples for a public purpose. In practical terms, this means proposals should center on scientific work enabled by samples curated or otherwise made available through NASA (for example, laboratory analyses and related investigations that help answer questions about the origin and evolution of the solar system). The opportunity reflects NASA's long-standing practice of supporting the broader research community in extracting new scientific value from these unique sample collections.

This announcement is issued as a Cooperative Agreement (rather than a standard grant), which typically signals that NASA expects some level of substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as coordination, oversight, or collaboration consistent with cooperative agreements. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it is listed under CFDA 43.001. The formal opportunity number is NNH23ZDA017C, and the CAN and its associated Questions and Answers (Q&A) materials were released on May 11, 2023.

The solicitation uses a two-step submission process with distinct deadlines. Step-1 proposals were due on June 12, 2023, and Step-2 proposals were due on July 24, 2023 (the original closing date shown for the opportunity). The complete and authoritative solicitation text is hosted in NASA's NSPIRES system, which NASA identifies as the official source for the CAN. Applicants are directed to go to https://nspires.nasaprs.com/, navigate to "Solicitations," and search using the solicitation number NNH23ZDA017C. NSPIRES is also where updates would be posted, including in the event of a lapse in NASA operations.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations. NASA indicates that investigators from most categories of U.S. institutions may apply, including universities and other educational institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations, along with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs). A key constraint is that proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES, and in general NASA funding is provided only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. organizations can participate, but only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, meaning they may contribute to the work but should not expect NASA to transfer funding to them; non-U.S. participants are directed to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for the detailed rules and required handling of those arrangements.

The CAN also clarifies how NASA internal entities can and cannot participate. NASA Centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are allowed to be involved only when partnering with an eligible non-Federal entity, and they may not serve as the lead institution. This is an important structural rule for team formation: if a project includes NASA Center or JPL participation, proposal leadership and award management must sit with an eligible external organization.

To support transparency and reduce confusion, NASA published a Q&A document on the NSPIRES landing page for the CAN. That Q&A summarizes public comments provided on the draft version of the SPSS CAN, with PSD aggregating similar comments and issuing shared responses. NASA also provides a point of contact for additional questions and clarifications: Stephen A. Rinehart (Stephen.A.Rinehart@nasa.gov). The agency notes that anonymity for those submitting questions or comments will be preserved and that responses of broader interest may be added to the posted Q&A, so applicants are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES for updates well ahead of the Step-1 and Step-2 due dates.

At a high level, applicants considering this opportunity should expect to (1) confirm organizational registration and investigator affiliation in NSPIRES, (2) shape a proposal around impactful scientific use of NASA extraterrestrial samples that advances planetary science knowledge, (3) follow the two-step submission requirements and schedule, (4) structure teams in compliance with the limits on NASA Center/JPL leadership, and (5) carefully follow the CAN sections that lay out the program purpose (Section A), award information (Section B), eligibility (Section C), and the submission and review process (Section D).

• The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for Planetary Sample Science (SPSS) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-07-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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