NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I | NNH24ZTR001N 25NIAC A1

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH24ZTR001N 25NIAC A1

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released on June 3, 2024 as an appendix under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella solicitation called "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2024 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2024)" (solicitation number NNH24ZTR001N). The purpose of this NIAC Phase I call is to support early-stage studies of highly innovative, far-reaching space concepts that are still speculative but grounded enough to be considered credible. In practice, Phase I is meant to help teams explore feasibility, define the concept more clearly, identify major technical risks, and outline a plausible path forward toward later development stages within the NIAC program pipeline (Phase II and Phase III).

The application process is structured in two steps. Step A is a short, initial proposal that anyone eligible can submit, and it is due July 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM Eastern. NASA uses Step A submissions to decide which teams will be invited to proceed. Step B is the longer, more detailed proposal stage, but it is invitation-only; the Step B target deadline is September 19, 2024 at 5:00 PM Eastern. This two-step structure is designed to lower the barrier to entry for new ideas at the front end while still giving NASA a way to focus full proposal effort on the most promising concepts.

This is described as an Open Announcement with broad eligibility. All categories of U.S. organizations may apply, and the opportunity is listed as "Unrestricted" for eligible applicants. Non-U.S. organizations are not excluded outright, but their participation has important limits: they may partner or even lead NIAC studies only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, and they must comply with NASA policy on foreign participation (referenced as Section 3.5 of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2024 NRA). In other words, international collaborators can be involved, but NASA funding generally cannot be transferred to them, and the arrangement must fit NASA's rules for foreign involvement.

Awards are expected to be grants, with an award ceiling of $175,000 per award and an anticipated number of about 12 awards. The program sits within NASA's science and technology and other research and development activity area, and it is associated with CFDA number 43.012. While the solicitation text emphasizes "visionary yet credible" work, the funding level and Phase I framing signal that NASA is paying for study and analysis rather than full-scale development or flight demonstration at this stage.

All submissions must be made electronically through NSPIRES, NASA's Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, and they must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative (AOR). Applicants are expected to rely on the SpaceTech-REDDI-2024 NRA and the NASA Proposer's Guide for the detailed rules, formatting, and required documents. NASA also strongly encourages organizations to register in NSPIRES early, get familiar with the system, and avoid waiting until the deadline to upload proposal materials, since late or incomplete submissions can be rejected for administrative reasons.

The official documents and any amendments are posted within NSPIRES. To find the complete solicitation package, applicants navigate from NSPIRES to Open Solicitations, open "SpaceTech-REDDI-2024 (NNH24ZTR001N)," then select the list of open program elements and choose "NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I" (program element number NNH24ZTR001N-25NIACA1), where the NIAC Phase I Solicitation Document is available under Announcement Documents. NASA notes that updates will be posted on the NSPIRES page for this appendix, and prospective applicants are encouraged to check regularly or subscribe to NSPIRES notifications for changes and newly released appendices.

Questions about technical, programmatic, or procurement topics are directed to hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov. NASA indicates that answers will be provided by email and may also be added to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the NSPIRES page for the appendix, with anonymity preserved for individuals or institutions that submit questions. For anyone considering applying, the key takeaways are the short Step A deadline (July 1, 2024), the invitation-only Step B follow-up (target September 19, 2024), the requirement to submit through NSPIRES via an AOR, and the emphasis on bold but technically defensible concepts that can be meaningfully advanced through a Phase I study.

• The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-01. (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 $175,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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