The Chandra X-ray Center invites U.S. based scientists whose research proposals have been selected in Stage 1 of the Cycle 8 Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) research peer review to participate in Cycle 8 of the CXO Education and Public Outreach supplemental (EPO) grant program. (Note: The U.S. is defined as the 50 states and the District of Columbia.)
NASA Space Science seeks to:
- 1. Share the excitement of space science discoveries with the public;
- 2. Enhance the quality of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly at the pre-college level; and
- 3. Help create our 21st century scientific and technical workforce.
Following the spirit and intent of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) national EPO program, the aim of the Chandra Cycle 8 supplemental EPO grant program is to encourage collaborative efforts among professional space scientists, professional educators, and public outreach specialists that would broaden knowledge and understanding of the latest discoveries of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, have a positive impact on the nation's education system, help develop the next generation of scientists and technical professionals, and promote the enhanced participation of underserved/ underutilized groups and women in science.
The Chandra Cycle 8 EPO proposals should have general intellectual linkage to the parent research program and to the science goals of the Chandra mission. The proposed program should provide intended audiences with current space science and/or related education content. The program or activity must contain significant content based on NASA science or technology.
1.2 Program Oversight
The Chandra program is sponsored by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The Chandra X-ray Center (CXC), which is funded by NASA via a contract to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Cambridge, MA, has the responsibility for: the management of the Chandra science program, the Chandra Education and Public Outreach (EPO) program, the management of the peer reviews which recommend the allocation of observing time and funds and the allocation of supplementary EPO funds to the user community, the selection of the science and EPO proposals, and the operation of the satellite.
The funding associated with all awards funded by this Call for Proposals (CfP) flows from NASA through SAO to the CXC.
1.3 Proposal Review Process: Deadlines and Schedule
The Chandra Stage 1 peer review determines the scientific and technical merits of proposed science investigations. The US-based PIs of those science research proposals selected in Stage 1 are invited to submit a supplemental EPO proposal in response to this CfP.
| Table 1.1: Schedule and Deadlines for the Chandra Cycle 8 EPO opportunity: | |
| EVENT | DATE |
| EPO Supplemental CfP Release | July 2006 |
| EPO Proposal Electronic Submission Deadline | 5PM EDT, 20 October 2006 |
| Hard Copy with Signed Institutional Endorsement | Received by SAO by 4PM EDT, 25 October 2006 |
| Cycle 8 EPO Peer Review | December 2006 |
| Selected EPO Proposals Announced | December 2006 |
Late Proposals will not be considered. We recommend submission well before the deadline to avoid possible last minute problems.
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1.4 Summary of the EPO CfP
This supplemental CfP solicits EPO proposals from eligible Principal Investigators whose Chandra proposals have been selected in Stage 1. (See Section 2.1 for definitions of eligibility.) The proposed EPO program should have a general intellectual linkage to the science of the parent research proposal selected in Stage 1 and/or to the science goals of the Chandra mission. The primary goal of the Chandra mission is the investigation of the nature and physics of astronomical objects as revealed through their X-ray emission.
This supplemental CfP offers the opportunity for the submission of three types of EPO proposals.
Types of EPO Proposals:
- 1. Proposals from individual Chandra researchers for EPO programs: Grants up to $15k;
- 2. Institutional proposals allowing several CXC-funded Chandra researchers located at a single institution to collectively plan and carry out a more ambitious program: Grants of $15k per researcher up to $50k for more than 3 collaborators; and
- 3. Team proposals allowing several CXC-funded Chandra researchers located at different institutions to collectively plan and carry out a more ambitious program: Grants of $15k per researcher up to $50k for more than 3 collaborators.
The total amount of funding available for the support of EPO grants represents about 2% of the currently available Chandra Cycle 8 grants budget.
1.5 Cancellation of the CfP
The CXC reserves the right to make no awards under this CfP and to cancel this CfP. The CXC, the Smithsonian Institution, and NASA assume no liability for canceling the CfP or for anyone's failure to receive notification of this cancellation.
1.6 What's New in Cycle 8
1.6.1 What's New in NASA's Education Program
Version 3.0, March 2004 of the Explanatory Guide to the NASA Office of Space Science Education & Public Outreach Evaluation Criteria has been finalized and released. This document should be carefully studied for its explanations of the NASA EPO criteria and indicators of alignment with the criteria. This document is available from the Chandra EPO Proposal page (http://chandra.harvard.edu/edu/proposals/epo.html).
1.6.2 What's New in Chandra Cycle 8
We repeat the following information from last year's CfP. Following the intent of the revised NASA indicators of alignment, we require that proposals involving on-going programs, where funding is being requested to continue a program previously funded through Chandra or other NASA EPO funding, show clear evidence of the effectiveness of the program. A separate section has been added under the section for "evaluation" which must be filled out for proposals to which this requirement applies. Basic information about the previously funded grants is requested in the background information section for the PI.
1.7 Proposal Submission
EPO proposals must be submitted both electronically, via the on-line Chandra proposal forms, and as hardcopy. The proposal forms will be available on-line through the Proposer page at cxc.harvard.edu and as a link from this document, see Section 4.2.
In addition to the electronic submission of the EPO proposal, an original hardcopy of the proposal with authorized institutional signature, and two additional copies, must be received by the SAO Grant Awards Section by 4 p.m. EDT on 25 October 2006. Originals of signed hardcopies of letters attesting to partnerships or collaboration should be attached. Letters may contain significant detail about the partner's role and are not limited to one page. Other supporting information that cannot be entered into the proposal form may be attached. If you have questions or concerns about the appropriateness of material that you wish to attach in hard copy, please call the CXC EPO Coordinator. Both the electronic and hard copy of the proposal must be identical in terms of the material entered into the proposal software. If they are not identical, the proposal will be deemed to be non-responsive. Late Proposals will not be considered. We recommend submission well before the deadline to avoid possible last minute problems.
Hardcopies should be submitted to:
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Grant Awards Section
100 Acorn Park Drive, MS 22
Cambridge, MA 02140-2301