Montana NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure (RID) Program 2019-2021

Since the beginning of the NASA EPSCoR program in Montana in 1994, great strides have been made in developing and coordinating Montana research activities aimed at solving current technical and scientific problems facing NASA and the aerospace community. These accomplishments and their resulting infrastructure have given many Montana researchers opportunities to work with NASA that were not present prior to the implementation of NASA EPSCoR program. Due to the success achieved thus far, the goals for the Montana NASA EPSCoR RID program will remain consistent with those of the earlier program. GOALS RID-Specific Goal: Help boost the research programs of Montana higher education faculty research in areas that match scientific and technical problems of importance to NASA to a new level of national prominence, enabling them to compete successfully for regular NASA research funding. General Montana NASA EPSCoR Goals: Goal 1. Bring the capabilities of Montana’s nationally competitive researchers to the attention of NASA. Goal 2. Build infrastructure to enhance Montana’s capabilities and expertise in areas of importance to NASA, focusing on institutions of higher learning. Goal 3. Use EPSCoR sponsored research to strengthen partnerships with Montana’s high-tech companies and drive the growth of Montana's aerospace-related economy. Goal 4. Focus on building nationally prominent, competitive research groups at Montana's major universities while also providing collaborative opportunities to faculty members at smaller institutions. SMART OBJECTIVES RID Project Element A: Research Initiation Grants Research Initiation Grant Objectives A1. Continue to evaluate Research Initiation Grant proposals based on the following criteria: 1) Scientific/Engineering impact, 2) NASA connection, 3) Technical feasibility, 4) Broader impacts (such as state research infrastructure and economic development), 5) Suitability of the proposed research team, and 6) Probability of the work resulting in further NASA funding. A2. Continue to require letters of support from NASA personnel in Research Initiation Grant proposals. Tasks associated with Research Initiation Grant Objectives Ai. Hold regularly scheduled, well-advertised annual opportunities for faculty from all institutions of higher education to propose for Research Initiation Grants; evaluate submitted proposals via a well-rounded review panel consisting of at least four people within three months of submission. Aii. Maintain active information about all currently funded Research Initiation Grants on the Montana NASA EPSCoR website (http://nasaepscor.montana.edu) including pictures, biographical sketches, stories, and project information; retain information about past Research Initiation Grants on the website. RID Project Element B: Travel Grants Travel Grant Objectives B1. Continue to evaluate Travel Grant proposals based on the following criteria: 1) Scientific/Engineering impact, 2) NASA connection, and 3) Broader impacts, such as state research infrastructure and economic development. B2. Continue to recommend that faculty make a presentation during their visit to the NASA site. B3. Continue to coordinate travel opportunities with MT NSF EPSCoR, MT NIH INBRE, and other state and federal agencies. Tasks associated with Travel Grant Objectives Bi. Regularly advertise the Travel Grant opportunity to all Montana higher education campuses. Bii. Maintain updated Travel Grant opportunity information on the Montana NASA EPSCoR website (http://nasaepscor.montana.edu).

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.