HERO Appendix A: NASA Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions | 80JSC019N0001 FLAGSHIP

Opportunity Information: Apply for 80JSC019N0001 FLAGSHIP

HERO Appendix A, titled "NASA Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions," is a NASA Johnson Space Center funding opportunity released under the Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) umbrella solicitation (NRA 80JSC019N0001). This specific appendix is the solicited research response area labeled 80JSC019N0001-FLAGSHIP, and it focuses on applied research that directly supports NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) goals and objectives related to keeping astronauts healthy and capable during space exploration missions.

The solicitation is looking for proposals in two targeted topic areas. The first area centers on understanding how partial gravity levels between 0 and 1 g, specifically those created during parabolic flight maneuvers, affect the human neurovestibular and sensorimotor systems. In practical terms, NASA is interested in research that helps explain how the brain and body handle changes in gravitational load that can disrupt balance, orientation, motion perception, coordination, and other performance-critical functions. This work is relevant for mission phases where crews transition between gravity environments (for example, microgravity to lunar gravity) and need to maintain safe operational performance. The second area is "space radiobiology tissue sharing" research, with an emphasis on studies that propose using archived tissue samples or samples already being collected through ongoing experiments. This indicates NASA is encouraging investigators to extract new scientific value from existing biological materials, which can reduce duplication, lower costs, and speed progress on questions tied to radiation risks and biological responses in spaceflight-relevant conditions.

Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary research and development within science and technology (CFDA 43.003). The notice lists an award ceiling of $400,000 and anticipates about five awards, giving a rough sense of the scale and competitiveness. While the posting does not describe project durations in the text provided, applicants would be expected to align scope, milestones, and deliverables with NASA HRP needs and the management approach required under the chosen instrument type.

Eligibility is broadly open across U.S. institutions, described as unrestricted, meaning all categories of U.S. organizations may apply (for example, universities, nonprofits, companies, and government-affiliated labs), subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation. Principal Investigators are allowed to collaborate widely, including with universities, federal laboratories, private-sector partners, and state or local government labs. In collaborative arrangements, the submitting organization remains responsible for overall project administration and for executing the project in accordance with the management plan described in the proposal. NASA also notes that collaborations with non-U.S. organizations are possible only on a cooperative, no-exchange-of-funds basis, which typically means international partners may contribute expertise or resources but NASA funds cannot be passed through to them.

The application process follows a two-step structure. Step-1 proposals were due on September 5, 2019, and only those invited by NASA proceed to Step-2, with Step-2 proposals due on December 2, 2019. NASA also scheduled a virtual pre-proposers conference for August 16, 2019, intended to help potential applicants understand the technical scope, submission expectations, and how proposals will be evaluated. Full Appendix A documentation and related materials were made available through the HERO appendix link and through NASA's research opportunities homepage, with additional posting and updates typically managed via NSPIRES, NASA's proposal submission and review system.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HERO Appendix A: NASA Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.003.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 31, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 05, 2019. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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