NASA Astrobiology Institute - Cycle 8 | NNH17ZDA003C

NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Cycle 8 (NNH17ZDA003C) - FAQs

1) What is NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) Cycle 8?

NAI Cycle 8 is a NASA Science Mission Directorate Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) seeking team-based, interdisciplinary proposals to become part of the NASA Astrobiology Institute.

2) What is NASA trying to accomplish with Cycle 8?

The central purpose is to keep the NAI strong as a multidisciplinary research institute by selecting focused teams whose expertise fills gaps and adds new capabilities, while avoiding duplication of the strengths already covered by existing teams that will continue.

3) What kinds of proposals is NASA looking for in this cycle?

NASA is looking for research teams that bring complementary approaches to astrobiology. Proposals are expected to be clearly distinctive in theme, methods, and contributions relative to the existing NAI portfolio.

4) Is this opportunity for individual projects or for institute teams?

This CAN is oriented toward refreshing the membership of an ongoing institute. It is not described as funding isolated projects; it is selecting teams to be part of the NAI.

5) Why does NASA emphasize avoiding duplication with existing NAI teams?

Cycle 8 is designed to fill gaps and add new capabilities without repeating areas already covered by continuing NAI teams, preserving breadth across astrobiology while adding targeted, high-value directions.

6) What is the submission process for Cycle 8?

The solicitation uses a two-step submission process: a brief Step-1 proposal first, followed (for teams encouraged to proceed) by a full Step-2 proposal.

7) What is the purpose of the Step-1 proposal?

NASA conducts a programmatic review of Step-1 submissions and uses it to guide who should submit a Step-2 proposal. The intent is to reduce wasted effort on full proposals that do not align with program needs and to help teams gauge fit before investing heavily in a complete submission.

8) Does everyone who submits Step-1 get to submit Step-2?

Not necessarily. Based on the Step-1 programmatic review, proposers are explicitly encouraged or discouraged from submitting a full Step-2 proposal.

9) What were the key dates mentioned for Cycle 8?

The Step-1 proposal due date for Cycle 8 was April 12, 2017 (about six weeks after the CAN was released). The opportunity record lists a closing date of July 6, 2017. The posting date in the record is February 28, 2017.

10) Was there a preproposal conference?

Yes. NASA scheduled a preproposal conference for March 10, 2017 at 11 AM Pacific (2 PM Eastern). Information was to be posted on the NAI Cycle 8 funding page: https://nai.nasa.gov/funding/can-8/

11) Who was the point of contact for questions about the solicitation?

Formal questions were directed to Dr. Mary Voytek, Senior Scientist for Astrobiology and NAI Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters.

12) How and when were programmatic questions supposed to be submitted?

Programmatic questions were to be submitted in writing or by email, no later than 10 days prior to the Step-2 proposal due date.

13) Is this a grant or something else?

The opportunity is administered using a cooperative agreement funding instrument, not a standard grant.

14) Which NASA office administers this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by NASA Headquarters.

15) What is the opportunity number and CFDA number?

The opportunity number is NNH17ZDA003C. The CFDA number listed is 43.001.

16) What program area does this opportunity fall under?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

17) What is meant by Cycle 8 being a "transition cycle"?

Cycle 8 is intended to replace the teams originally selected in Cycle 6, whose five-year cooperative agreements were expiring. This replacement role affects how NASA selects teams, since it is refreshing institute membership while maintaining overall breadth in astrobiology.

18) Are there any special emphasis areas mentioned for this cycle?

An administrative emphasis highlighted in the summary is open access to research, with changes from prior solicitations referenced under Section 1.7 of the CAN titled "Open Access to Research."

19) What are the open access requirements?

The summary does not spell out the specific requirements, but it flags that proposers should pay attention to updated expectations around access to publications, data, or other research products consistent with NASA policy and evolving federal guidance, as referenced in Section 1.7 of the CAN.

20) Are awards guaranteed once the CAN is issued?

No. Issuance and execution of the CAN depend on programmatic factors, including NASA receiving an appropriation and an operating plan that provides adequate funding within the Planetary Science Division budget.

21) Are proposal preparation costs reimbursed?

No. NASA states that any costs incurred in preparing a submission are entirely at the submitter's own risk.

22) What are the basic eligibility and registration requirements?

Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES (nspires.nasaprs.com), NASA's system for proposal submission and award management.

23) Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

NASA funding is generally provided only to U.S. institutions, but the notice describes limited pathways for non-U.S. participation. Organizations outside the United States may participate under a no-exchange-of-funds arrangement, meaning they bring their own funding rather than receiving NASA funds.

24) Where are the rules for non-U.S. participation described?

The notice directs non-U.S. organizations to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers, Appendix B, Section (l), for details on no-exchange-of-funds participation. It also references that some NASA research announcements may be issued jointly with non-U.S. organizations and can include special foreign-participant guidelines, and it references additional Guidebook sections for proposals from non-U.S. organizations that involve U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

25) Does the public summary specify award size, ceiling, or number of awards?

No. The provided opportunity metadata and summary do not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Interested applicants are told, by implication, to consult the full CAN text for budget ranges, award size expectations, performance periods, and detailed evaluation criteria.

26) Where was Cycle 8 funding information expected to be posted?

NASA indicated information would be posted on the NAI Cycle 8 funding page: https://nai.nasa.gov/funding/can-8/

27) What is the main takeaway for teams deciding whether to apply?

Cycle 8 is designed to select distinctive, complementary astrobiology teams that fill gaps in the existing NAI portfolio. The Step-1 to Step-2 process is explicitly meant to help teams assess fit and reduce unnecessary work on full proposals that are unlikely to align with program needs.