The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters, Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) has released an umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014)". This will be STMD's inaugural umbrella solicitation covering multiple STMD programs.

The NRA is accessible from the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) website (http://nspires.nasaprs.com) by linking through the menu listing "Solicitations", and then selecting "Open Solicitations" and finally selecting "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014)". Under SpaceTech-REDDI-2014, proposals will be solicited through Appendices which will be issued as funding is made available for new opportunities. Once new Appendices are released, interested parties will be able to access them by clicking through the Open Solicitations link, then selecting "NRA NNH14ZOA001N", and then selecting "List of Open Program Elements".

It is anticipated that this initial umbrella solicitation (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014) will be open for one year (through October 2014) and follow-up umbrella SpaceTech-REDDI solicitations will be issued annually in November. With every release of SpaceTech-REDDI, the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will provide targeted release plans for Appendices for that year.

The STMD portfolio supports early-stage studies, for assessing the feasibility of entirely new technologies (which corresponds to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range from 1 to 3); matures feasible technologies through rapid competitive development and ground-based testing (TRL 3-5); and performs flight demonstrations in relevant environments to complete the final steps prior to mission infusion (TRL 5-7). This technological diversity results in a sustainable pipeline of revolutionary concepts. STMD seeks aggressive technology development efforts that may require undertaking significant technical challenges and risk to achieve a higher potential payoff.

The following STMD programs are included in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 umbrella NRA:

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program focuses on visionary aeronautics and space system concepts. TRL Range: 1-3

Appendix A1: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I

Appendix A2: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II

Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program engages academia in innovative research in advanced space technology. TRL Range: 1-3

Appendix B1: Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Early Career Faculty (ECF) Appendix B2: Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Early Stage Innovations (ESI)

Original post:

Release of NASA Space Technology SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 NRA