The NASA Office of Education, in cooperation with NASA Headquarters’ Offices of Communications, Chief Scientist, and Chief Technologist, the Mission Directorates and Mission Support Directorate releases NNH15ZHA001N, 2015 Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+).

NASA is issuing this Research Announcement to solicit proposals to support NASA-inspired S-STEM informal education projects, including exhibits, through partnerships with K-12 schools or districts, youth-serving organizations, higher education, and/or other agencies to support Federal STEM education goals. Successful proposals typically will be funded as grants or cooperative agreements depending on the size and complexity of the proposed project.

Organization Limit:

By submitting a proposal, organizations responding to this NRA (other than Appendix O), are certifying that they meet the following criteria to propose as a lead organization:

• legally recognized by a federal, state or local authority as a non-profit organization,
• located in the United States or its Territories, and
• provide S-STEM education programming, (such as but not limited to exhibits) through partnerships with K-12 schools or districts, youth-serving organizations, higher education, and/or other federal, state, or local agencies.

An organization that is operated by a K-12 school, district, higher education institution, or other entity such as a planetarium, museum, or youth-serving organization should refer to the special instructions in the NRA (Section III – Eligibility).

An organization selected for funding may be required to self-certify that it meets the definition of a:

• museum (including planetarium) as defined in Federal Management Regulation (FMR) 102-37-C-1 Amendment Appendix C—Glossary Of Terms For Determining Eligibility Of Public Agencies And Nonprofit Organizations, or
• youth-serving organization as defined by this NRA (see Section III.A).

Alignment with NASA and Federal STEM Education Goals - Proposals shall demonstrate how the activity will directly contribute to one or more of the priority STEM education investment areas of the Federal STEM education goals.

2015 Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+) is scheduled for October 1, 2015 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Eastern Time. Prospective proposers are requested to submit any questions in writing to CP4SMP@jpl.nasa.gov no later than four (4) business days before the teleconference date.