A Plan for NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development in Delaware Funding Extension

The objectives of the NASA EPSCoR RID program in DE are as follows: (i) to establish links between NASA EPSCoR and the existing EPSCoR infrastructure in the state; (ii) to offer seed grants to previously unfunded researchers in Delaware by means of a fair and open competition among the institutions in the state where research in the STEM areas is being conducted; (iii) to aim for as much diversity among the awardees as possible, especially by ensuring that researchers at Delaware's HBCU (Historically Black College/University: Delaware State University) are represented proportionately in the competition; (iv) to have NASA EPSCoR awardees present results of their work at the annual state-wide EPSCoR meeting. Of these, we regarded (ii) as our primary objective. The RID program aims to target junior researchers who, at an early stage in their career, are still on the learning curve in proposal submissions. Particular interest is to be paid to supporting researchers who have not yet been successful in responding to RFPs (Request for Proposals), which are nationwide in scope. However, as well as these early-career researchers, we also wish to target faculty members and/or researchers who have decided to change direction in their research, or are involved in arranging for new collaborators, and are now striving to compete in RFPs from agencies or programs which are distinct from those that have previously awarded funding to the researcher.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.