EARLY CAREER FACULTY (ECF) | NNH17ZOA001N 17ECF B1

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH17ZOA001N 17ECF B1

NASA Headquarters issued the Early Career Faculty (ECF) solicitation as an appendix under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement called Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2017 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2017). Released on February 9, 2017, ECF is designed to support innovative, early-stage space technology research led by outstanding new faculty at U.S. universities. The program sits within STMD's Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) effort and is aimed at pushing forward high-priority technologies that matter across NASA mission needs, while also strengthening the academic pipeline that trains future engineers and scientists. The solicitation is accessed through NSPIRES by navigating to Open Solicitations and selecting Early Career Faculty (ECF).

At its core, ECF is about pairing cutting-edge research with workforce development. NASA frames universities as uniquely suited to do foundational research while also spreading new knowledge outward through graduate education, partnerships with industry and government, and broader collaboration networks. By investing in academic research programs, STMD intends to maintain U.S. leadership in technology and engineering, while expanding the national talent base and improving longer-term competitiveness. Proposals are expected to be both technically strong and clearly aligned to NASA space technology priorities, particularly within the topic areas listed in the appendix.

The solicitation anticipates several specific research topics, including: integrated photonic sensors and science instrument subsystems; meso- and micro-scale fluidic sample acquisition and handling for human exploration and space science missions; cognitive communications for NASA science and exploration; and big data and artificial intelligence solutions for NASA data challenges. Applicants are expected to propose work that is early-stage but genuinely innovative, with a credible path toward future maturation and relevance to NASA missions.

Eligibility is tightly defined and focused on early career independence. Only accredited U.S. universities may submit, and they must submit on behalf of a single Principal Investigator. The PI must be an untenured, tenure-track Assistant Professor at the sponsoring university at the time of award, and must be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. The PI must serve as the primary researcher, and co-investigators are not allowed, reinforcing the intent that this is a faculty independence-building award. Collaborators are allowed, with restrictions noted in the solicitation (including special rules for NASA civil servants and JPL), and proposers are expected to follow the definitions and limits described in the call. Each PI may submit only one proposal in response to this ECF appendix. NASA also explicitly encourages applications from women, underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 43.012) with an award ceiling listed at $600,000. NASA expected to make roughly 6 to 8 awards, depending on the quality and merit of proposals received, and it also reserves the right to make no awards if the proposal pool does not warrant selections. Funding and oversight come from the STRG Program within STMD, with awards planned to begin in October 2017.

The submission process is electronic and must be completed through NSPIRES or Grants.gov by an authorized organizational representative. Notices of Intent were strongly encouraged by March 3, 2017, and full proposals were due by March 31, 2017. NASA emphasizes that institutions should register in NSPIRES early, learn the submission systems, and upload materials well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. For questions, the solicitation lists a single contact email (hq-ecf-call@mail.nasa.gov): technical and programmatic questions were directed to the STRG Program Executive, Claudia Meyer, and procurement questions to the acquisition point of contact, Kimberly Cone. NASA indicated that responses might also be posted in the FAQ section on the NSPIRES page, with anonymity preserved for those submitting questions.

• 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 "EARLY CAREER FACULTY (ECF)" 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 Feb 09, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2017. (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 $600,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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