EARLY CAREER FACULTY (ECF) | 80HQTR21NOA01 21ECF B1

NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) Grant - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) opportunity?

ECF is a competitive grant solicitation released by NASA Headquarters under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) as an appendix to the NASA Research Announcement "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2021 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2021)." It is managed through NASA's Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program.

2) What is ECF designed to support?

The solicitation is designed to help outstanding new faculty at U.S. universities launch or accelerate academic research careers that are clearly aligned with space technology. It emphasizes innovative, early-stage research that strengthens the space technology pipeline while training students and encouraging broader partnerships.

3) Is this opportunity focused on specific technical topics?

Yes. The opportunity is limited to specific research areas laid out in the appendix. Applicants are expected to target one of the enumerated topics rather than proposing unrelated work.

4) What research topics were anticipated in the appendix?

The anticipated topics listed are:

• Advanced computational techniques to support the development of cryogenic refrigeration systems
• High-fidelity emulation of full-physics models in Earth science
• Joining processes for shape memory alloys to enable advanced structural applications

5) What is NASA looking for in the type of research proposed?

The framing indicates NASA is seeking proposals that are technically ambitious but still early-stage, with a clear pathway to improving NASA-relevant capabilities in areas such as modeling, advanced materials and structures, or thermal/cryogenic systems.

6) Who can submit a proposal?

Only accredited U.S. universities may submit proposals, and they must submit on behalf of an eligible Principal Investigator (PI) who meets the program's early-career criteria.

7) What are the PI eligibility requirements?

The PI must be an untenured assistant professor on a tenure track at the sponsoring institution at the time of award, and must be either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

8) Does the solicitation require the PI to lead the research directly?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly requires that the PI serve as the primary researcher, reflecting the program's intent to support early-career faculty independence.

9) Are Co-Investigators (Co-Is) allowed on ECF proposals?

No. The solicitation does not allow Co-Investigators, reinforcing that the award is intended to recognize and support an individual faculty member's independence.

10) Are collaborators allowed, even though Co-Investigators are not?

Yes. Collaborators may be included, but they are subject to restrictions described in the solicitation, including special rules for NASA civil servants and for JPL.

11) How many proposals can an eligible PI submit?

Each eligible PI is limited to submitting only one proposal to this appendix.

12) What types of institutions are eligible applicant organizations?

Eligible applicant organizations include public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, as long as they are accredited U.S. universities submitting on behalf of an eligible PI.

13) What is the award mechanism and CFDA number?

The award mechanism is a discretionary grant under CFDA 43.012.

14) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $600,000.

15) How many awards did NASA anticipate making?

NASA anticipated making about six awards, contingent on the availability of funds and the quality of proposals received.

16) Can NASA decide not to fund any proposals?

Yes. NASA reserved the right to make no awards if proposals are not sufficiently meritorious.

17) When were awards planned to begin?

Awards were planned to begin in early October 2021, aligning with typical federal fiscal year timing for new starts.

18) How were proposals required to be submitted?

Proposals had to be submitted electronically via NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov by an authorized organizational representative.

19) Was a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

NASA strongly encouraged a Notice of Intent by February 24, 2021.

20) What was the proposal submission deadline?

The proposal deadline was March 24, 2021.

21) Why did NASA recommend submitting early?

Because NSPIRES registration and submission logistics can be time-consuming, the solicitation advises institutions to ensure registrations are in place and to submit materials well before the deadline.

22) Where could applicants find the full solicitation and requirements?

The full solicitation and detailed requirements were provided through the NSPIRES "Open Solicitations" listing for "Early Career Faculty (ECF)."

23) What is the funding opportunity number for this ECF appendix?

The funding opportunity number is 80HQTR21NOA01 21ECF B1.

24) What were the original posting and closing dates?

The opportunity was originally posted/created in early February 2021, with an original closing date of March 24, 2021.

25) Who should applicants contact with technical or programmatic questions?

NASA directed technical and programmatic inquiries to the STRG Program Executive, Claudia Meyer, at hq-ecf-call@mail.nasa.gov.

26) How were questions handled, and could answers become public?

Answers were provided by email and could potentially be added to an FAQ on the NSPIRES page, while preserving the anonymity of those who submit questions.

27) Does NASA express any interest in broad participation?

Yes. NASA notes an interest in broad participation and specifically encourages submissions that support early-career faculty who are women, from underrepresented minority groups, or persons with disabilities.

28) What broader outcomes does NASA emphasize beyond technical results?

NASA emphasizes the role universities play in combining research with education, spreading knowledge through graduate students, and forming partnerships with industry, government, and other organizations to help build and sustain the national talent base.