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).Apply for NNH23ZDA017C
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NASA Support for Planetary Sample Science (SPSS) CAN
What is the SPSS Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)?
Support for Planetary Sample Science (SPSS) is a NASA funding opportunity issued as a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN). It is run from NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), specifically the Planetary Science Division (PSD), to support planetary science research and related science activities that use extraterrestrial samples held by NASA for a public purpose.
What is the official opportunity number for this solicitation?
The formal opportunity number is NNH23ZDA017C.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.001.
What is the activity category for SPSS?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
When were the CAN and Q&A materials released?
The CAN and its associated Questions and Answers (Q&A) materials were released on May 11, 2023.
What kinds of projects does SPSS support?
SPSS supports planetary science research and related science activities enabled by NASA-held extraterrestrial samples. In practical terms, proposals should center on scientific work that is made possible by samples curated or otherwise made available through NASA, such as laboratory analyses and related investigations that address questions about the origin and evolution of the solar system.
Do proposals need to use NASA-held extraterrestrial samples?
Yes. The described purpose of the opportunity is to support research and science activities that make use of extraterrestrial samples curated or otherwise made available through NASA.
Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
This announcement is issued as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. This typically indicates NASA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as coordination, oversight, or collaboration consistent with cooperative agreements.
What does NASA mean by "substantial involvement" under a cooperative agreement?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement generally signals that NASA anticipates being involved during the project period in ways that can include coordination, oversight, or collaboration. The specific form of involvement would be consistent with cooperative agreements as described in the solicitation.
What is the official source for the complete solicitation text?
NASA identifies NSPIRES as the official source for the SPSS CAN. The complete and authoritative solicitation text is hosted in NASA's NSPIRES system.
Where do applicants find the solicitation in NSPIRES?
Go to https://nspires.nasaprs.com/, navigate to "Solicitations," and search using the solicitation number NNH23ZDA017C.
Is there a two-step proposal process?
Yes. The solicitation uses a two-step submission process with distinct deadlines for Step-1 and Step-2 proposals.
What were the Step-1 and Step-2 proposal deadlines listed for this CAN?
Step-1 proposals were due June 12, 2023. Step-2 proposals were due July 24, 2023 (the original closing date shown for the opportunity).
Where should applicants look for updates or amendments to the CAN?
Applicants should monitor the CAN page in NSPIRES for updates, since NSPIRES is identified as the official source and is where updates would be posted.
What happens if there is a lapse in NASA operations?
The information provided indicates that NSPIRES is where updates would be posted, including in the event of a lapse in NASA operations. Applicants are directed to NSPIRES for official updates.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations. NASA indicates investigators from most categories of U.S. institutions may apply, including universities and other educational institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations, as well as Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs).
Is NSPIRES registration required?
Yes. A key constraint noted is that proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES.
Does NASA provide funding only to U.S. institutions?
In general, NASA funding is provided only to U.S. institutions, as stated in the opportunity description.
Can non-U.S. organizations participate in proposals?
Yes, non-U.S. organizations can participate, but only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. This means they may contribute to the work but should not expect NASA to transfer funding to them.
Where can applicants find the detailed rules for involving non-U.S. participants?
Non-U.S. participants are directed to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for the detailed rules and required handling of no-exchange-of-funds arrangements.
Can NASA Centers or JPL submit as the lead institution?
No. NASA Centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) may not serve as the lead institution.
Can NASA Centers or JPL be included on a project team at all?
Yes. NASA Centers and JPL are allowed to be involved only when partnering with an eligible non-Federal entity, but proposal leadership and award management must be with an eligible external organization.
Why is the NASA Center/JPL leadership restriction important for team structure?
Because if a project includes NASA Center or JPL participation, the proposal cannot be led by those entities. The lead institution must be an eligible non-Federal organization, and that organization must handle leadership and award management.
Is there an official Q&A document for this CAN?
Yes. NASA published a Q&A document on the NSPIRES landing page for the CAN.
What does the posted Q&A document cover?
The Q&A summarizes public comments provided on the draft version of the SPSS CAN. The Planetary Science Division (PSD) aggregated similar comments and provided shared responses.
Can applicants submit questions, and will they be anonymous?
NASA 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.
Who is the point of contact for additional questions or clarifications?
The point of contact listed is Stephen A. Rinehart at Stephen.A.Rinehart@nasa.gov.
Should applicants check NSPIRES even after asking a question by email?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES for updates well ahead of the Step-1 and Step-2 due dates, since responses of broader interest may be added to the posted Q&A.
What are the key proposal preparation steps highlighted for applicants?
The information provided suggests applicants should: (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 to comply with the limits on NASA Center/JPL leadership, and (5) follow the CAN sections describing purpose, award information, eligibility, and the submission and review process.
Which CAN sections should applicants focus on for core requirements?
The opportunity highlights these sections: Section A (program purpose), Section B (award information), Section C (eligibility), and Section D (submission and review process).
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