Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH18ZHA002N MISTC
NASA's EONS 2018 Appendix F opportunity, called the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovations in Space Technology Curriculum (MISTC), is a competitive education-focused funding program designed specifically for accredited US community colleges and other two-year Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). NASA plans to make up to four awards, and each award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning NASA expects to be actively involved during the project rather than acting only as a funder. Each project can run for up to 15 months, and the maximum award amount listed is $333,333. The program sits under CFDA 43.008 and is aligned with NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), the part of the agency responsible for developing new, crosscutting technologies that support current and future NASA missions.
The central purpose of MISTC is workforce development. NASA is looking for projects that strengthen the pipeline of students prepared to enter space-technology careers by improving what students learn in the classroom and what they experience outside it. Proposals are expected to build "curriculum innovations" that connect directly to real NASA technology priorities, while also giving students practical, hands-on exposure. In other words, NASA is not just asking schools to add space-themed content; it wants a structured, mission-relevant curriculum update paired with the facilities and experiences needed to make that curriculum meaningful and employable.
To be considered responsive, each proposal must tackle one NASA space technology focus area and include all three required components. First, the institution must revise an existing course or develop at least one new course that introduces and strengthens student understanding of space technology development. Second, the project must identify campus laboratory equipment needs tied to that course (or courses) and explain how those needs will be addressed to support student learning. Third, the proposal must include hands-on learning opportunities connected to the course content, specifically through student internships at NASA Centers or facilities. During the 15-month performance period, awardees are expected not only to design the course, but also to obtain internal approval to offer it and then pilot it, so NASA is clearly emphasizing implementation rather than planning alone.
A defining feature of this solicitation is the required partnership with NASA. Each applicant must partner with one NASA Center or facility from NASA's provided list, and that partnership should be tied to one specific technology area. The technology areas and associated NASA Centers/facilities include: aerosciences for flight in all atmospheres (Ames Research Center and/or Langley Research Center), power technology (Glenn Research Center and/or Marshall Space Flight Center), chemical propulsion and electric propulsion (Glenn and/or Marshall), entry, descent and landing (Ames, Langley, and/or Jet Propulsion Laboratory), vehicle structures and materials (Langley), advanced manufacturing (Langley and/or Marshall), communications and navigation (Glenn, Goddard Space Flight Center, and/or JPL), in-situ resource utilization (Glenn and/or JPL), robotics (Goddard, JPL, and/or Ames), autonomy (Ames, JPL, and/or Langley), avionics (Goddard and/or JPL), and cryogenic fluid flight systems (Glenn). Applicants choose one area and build their course, lab plan, and internships around it in collaboration with the appropriate NASA partner.
While the applicant must be an eligible two-year MSI, NASA strongly encourages broader teaming to improve quality and reach. Partnerships with other academic institutions, including other two-year MSIs and four-year colleges or universities, are recommended for sharing expertise, lab space, evaluation support, or collaboration in curriculum development and pilot delivery. NASA also encourages connections with K-12 school districts, especially for dual enrollment options tied to the new or revised course, or for integrating space technology concepts into high school coursework. These suggested partnerships are meant to expand student access and create clearer pathways from high school to community college to further education or the workforce.
Eligibility and registration requirements are strict and must be met by the proposal due date. Only accredited US community colleges/two-year MSIs can apply, and applicants are directed to consult Appendix E (particularly Section 3 for more eligibility detail and Section 2.3 for teaming and partnership guidance). By the deadline, proposers must have a DUNS number, an active SAM registration, a valid CAGE code, and an active registration in NASA's NSPIRES system. Importantly, NSPIRES registration is not limited to the prime applicant; any sub-awardees or subcontractors must also be registered. Additionally, all principal investigators and other key participants must be registered in NSPIRES even if the organization submits via a different portal. Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative, either through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov, but organizations submitting through Grants.gov must still also be registered in NSPIRES.
From an administrative standpoint, NASA emphasizes early preparation and frequent monitoring. Prospective applicants are encouraged to get into NSPIRES well ahead of time to avoid registration delays and to learn the system. NASA also notes that clarifications or updates may be issued before the due date in the form of FAQs or formal amendments posted in NSPIRES, and it is the applicant's responsibility to check for those updates. Questions about the solicitation must be submitted in writing to NASAMAA@nasaprs.com no later than 10 business days before the proposal due date so NASA has time to respond.
Key dates and scale are clearly defined in the source information: the opportunity was created January 17, 2018, with an original closing date of April 20, 2018. NASA anticipated making four awards, each up to $333,333, for project periods lasting no more than 15 months. Overall, MISTC is aimed at producing tangible, teachable space-technology coursework at two-year MSIs, supported by appropriate lab capability and reinforced through NASA-site internships, with the broader intent of strengthening and diversifying NASA's future technical workforce.Apply for NNH18ZHA002N MISTC
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EONS 2018: Appendix F Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovations in Space Technology Curriculum (MISTC)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.008.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 17, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2018. (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 $333,333.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the MUREP Innovations in Space Technology Curriculum (MISTC) opportunity?
MISTC is a competitive, education-focused NASA funding opportunity under NASA's EONS 2018 Appendix F. It supports curriculum innovations at eligible two-year Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to strengthen the student pipeline into space-technology careers by aligning classroom learning and hands-on experiences with NASA space technology priorities.
2. What is the main goal of MISTC?
The central purpose is workforce development. NASA is looking for projects that improve what students learn in the classroom and what they experience outside it, so that students are better prepared for space-technology careers. Projects are expected to produce mission-relevant curriculum changes paired with the lab capabilities and experiential learning needed to make those changes meaningful for employability.
3. Who is eligible to apply?
Only accredited U.S. community colleges and other two-year Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are eligible to apply, based on the information provided. Applicants are directed to consult Appendix E for more eligibility detail (notably Section 3).
4. How many awards does NASA expect to make, and what is the maximum award size?
NASA plans to make up to four awards. The maximum award amount listed is $333,333 per award.
5. What type of award is this?
Each award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning NASA expects to be actively involved during the project rather than acting only as a funder.
6. How long can a project last?
Projects can run for up to 15 months (no more than 15 months).
7. What is required for a proposal to be considered responsive?
Each proposal must (1) address one NASA space technology focus area and (2) include all three required components: curriculum/course development or revision, lab equipment planning to support the course(s), and student hands-on learning through internships at NASA Centers or facilities.
8. What are the three required project components?
The required components are:
- Coursework: Revise an existing course or develop at least one new course focused on space technology development.
- Laboratory capability: Identify campus laboratory equipment needs tied to the course(s) and explain how those needs will be addressed to support student learning.
- NASA internships: Provide hands-on learning opportunities connected to the course content through student internships at NASA Centers or facilities.
9. Does NASA want planning work only, or implementation during the award?
NASA emphasizes implementation. During the 15-month performance period, awardees are expected to design the course, obtain internal approval to offer it, and pilot it. This indicates NASA is looking for tangible delivery rather than planning alone.
10. Do applicants have to choose a specific NASA technology area?
Yes. Each proposal must tackle one NASA space technology focus area and build the course, lab plan, and internships around that single chosen area.
11. Is a partnership with NASA required?
Yes. Each applicant must partner with one NASA Center or facility from NASA's provided list, and that partnership should be tied to one specific technology area.
12. Which NASA technology areas are listed, and what NASA Centers/facilities align with each?
The opportunity lists the following technology areas and associated NASA Centers/facilities:
- Aerosciences for flight in all atmospheres: Ames Research Center and/or Langley Research Center
- Power technology: Glenn Research Center and/or Marshall Space Flight Center
- Chemical propulsion and electric propulsion: Glenn and/or Marshall
- Entry, descent and landing: Ames, Langley, and/or Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Vehicle structures and materials: Langley
- Advanced manufacturing: Langley and/or Marshall
- Communications and navigation: Glenn, Goddard Space Flight Center, and/or JPL
- In-situ resource utilization: Glenn and/or JPL
- Robotics: Goddard, JPL, and/or Ames
- Autonomy: Ames, JPL, and/or Langley
- Avionics: Goddard and/or JPL
- Cryogenic fluid flight systems: Glenn
13. Can an applicant work with more than one NASA Center or facility?
The requirement stated is that each applicant must partner with one NASA Center or facility from the provided list, tied to one specific technology area. Some technology areas list multiple possible Centers/facilities as options for that area.
14. Are partnerships with other schools allowed or encouraged?
Yes. NASA strongly encourages broader teaming to improve quality and reach. Recommended partners can include other academic institutions such as other two-year MSIs and four-year colleges or universities for purposes like sharing expertise, lab space, evaluation support, or collaboration on curriculum development and pilot delivery.
15. Are K-12 partnerships allowed or encouraged?
Yes. NASA encourages connections with K-12 school districts, especially for dual enrollment options tied to the new or revised course, or for integrating space technology concepts into high school coursework. These partnerships are intended to broaden access and create pathways from high school to community college and onward.
16. What is the CFDA number and what part of NASA is this aligned with?
The program sits under CFDA 43.008 and is aligned with NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), which is responsible for developing crosscutting technologies supporting current and future NASA missions.
17. What registrations and identifiers are required by the proposal due date?
By the deadline, proposers must have:
- A DUNS number
- An active SAM registration
- A valid CAGE code
- An active registration in NASA's NSPIRES system
18. Do sub-awardees or subcontractors need to be registered in NSPIRES?
Yes. NSPIRES registration is not limited to the prime applicant; any sub-awardees or subcontractors must also be registered.
19. Do principal investigators (PIs) and key participants need NSPIRES accounts?
Yes. All principal investigators and other key participants must be registered in NSPIRES, even if the organization submits through a different portal.
20. How can proposals be submitted?
Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative, either through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must still also be registered in NSPIRES.
21. Why does NASA encourage early NSPIRES preparation?
NASA emphasizes early preparation to avoid registration delays and to allow applicants time to learn the NSPIRES system. The opportunity also notes that applicants should monitor NSPIRES for updates.
22. Where will amendments or official clarifications be posted?
NASA notes that clarifications or updates may be issued before the due date in the form of FAQs or formal amendments posted in NSPIRES, and it is the applicant's responsibility to check for those updates.
23. How and when can questions about the solicitation be submitted?
Questions must be submitted in writing to NASAMAA@nasaprs.com no later than 10 business days before the proposal due date so NASA has time to respond.
24. What were the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity was created on January 17, 2018, with an original closing date of April 20, 2018.
25. What does NASA mean by "curriculum innovations" in this context?
Based on the description provided, curriculum innovations are structured, mission-relevant updates that connect directly to real NASA technology priorities and include the facilities and experiences needed to make the curriculum practical and employable (not just adding space-themed content).
26. What is the expected student hands-on component?
The solicitation specifies hands-on learning opportunities connected to the course content through student internships at NASA Centers or facilities.
27. What must happen to the course during the project period?
During the performance period, awardees are expected to design the course, obtain internal approval to offer it, and pilot it.
28. Where are applicants directed for additional guidance on eligibility and teaming?
Applicants are directed to consult Appendix E, including Section 3 for eligibility detail and Section 2.3 for teaming and partnership guidance.
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