2009 Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP)

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Education has released a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) soliciting proposals for “Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP)”. NASA’s Office of Education, Integration Division, Informal Education Program, in cooperation with NASA’s Division of Communication Planning, four Mission Directorates – Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations – solicits proposals for uniquely NASA informal education and exhibit projects led by science museums and planetariums that feature eligible NASA missions, science, engineering, explorations, or technologies. Proposals submitted to this program must be relevant to NASA’s 1) Missions, 2) Mission Directorate programs and 3) Office of Education (OE). The only eligible technical subject areas are NASA-themed space exploration, aeronautics, space science, earth science, or microgravity, or combinations of these themes. The NASA Informal Education program area goals are to: increase interest in and understanding of STEM disciplines by inspiring and engaging individuals of all ages; establish linkages between informal and formal education; and stimulate parents and others to support children’s STEM learning endeavors by becoming informed proponents for high-quality, universally available STEM education. The anticipated total amount of Fiscal Year 2009 funding available for new awards under this solicitation is approximately $6 million. Prospective proposers to this NRA are advised that at the time this solicitation is released, funds beyond Fiscal Year 2009 are not in general available for awards for all of the solicited program elements. The Government's annual obligation to make awards is contingent upon the availability of sufficient appropriated funds from which payment can be made and the receipt of proposals that NASA determines are acceptable for award under this NRA. NASA may elect to support some of the proposals submitted under this NRA through the use of non-CP4SMP funds if such funds are available from other NASA or federal sources such as relationships established through memoranda of understanding or intra- or interagency agreements. Projects may be proposed for durations of up to 5 years. It is anticipated that between 6 and 20 awards will be issued depending on budgets requested and funds available. Should Congress continue funding CP4SMP in FY 2010, NASA may: 1) select FY 2009 proposals for funding rather than open a new competition; 2) augment FY 2008 CP4SMP awards (all proposers will be notified and requested to submit a new or revised proposal; and/or 3) augment FY 2009 proposals that were previously funding in part or not selected due to non-availability of CP4SMP funds in FY 2009. Participation is open to institutions of informal science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education that are science museums or planetariums in the United States or its Territories. The NRA is available electronically through the NSPIRES website at http: nspires.nasaprs.com. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading the NRA, amendments (if any), and FAQs. This solicitation leading to the awards of education grants or cooperative agreements issued pursuant to title 14 CFR Part 1260 for nonprofit institutions. Additional questions regarding the solicitation and programmatic information can be obtained from: Anita M. Sohus, 2009 Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP) Manager, NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CP4SMP@jpl.nasa.gov.

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