Opportunity Information: Apply for 80HQTR20NOA01 21NIAC A1
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released as an appendix under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement called Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2020 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2020). The purpose of the NIAC program is to support early-stage exploration of bold, forward-looking aerospace concepts that may feel high-risk or unconventional, but still have a credible technical basis. NIAC funding is structured as a progression across Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III, with Phase I focused on feasibility-style studies that help determine whether a visionary idea has enough grounding to justify deeper investment later.
The Phase I solicitation uses a two-step proposal process. Step A is a short, initial submission that is open to all eligible applicants and functions as the first screening step. For this cycle, Step A proposals were due July 22, 2020 at 5:00 PM Eastern. Only applicants selected from Step A are invited to submit Step B, which is a more detailed, expanded proposal. Step B proposals (invitation only) had a target due date of September 29, 2020 at 5:00 PM Eastern, which also aligns with the opportunity close date shown in the source listing.
Eligibility is broadly open. NASA describes this as an open announcement where all categories of U.S. organizations can apply. Non-U.S. organizations are not excluded from participating, but their involvement is constrained: they may partner or even lead NIAC studies only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis and only as permitted under NASA rules on foreign participation (referenced as Section 3.3 of the REDDI NRA). In practice, that means NASA funding generally flows to U.S. entities, while foreign collaborators participate without receiving NASA funds, subject to policy review.
Applications must be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system (the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System). Submissions must be made by an authorized organizational representative (AOR), which is important because NSPIRES requires organizational registration and role-based access before a proposal can be officially filed. The solicitation emphasizes that applicants should register early, learn the NSPIRES workflow, and upload required materials well before deadlines. Proposal preparation and formatting expectations are tied not only to the NIAC appendix itself, but also to the broader SpaceTech-REDDI-2020 NRA and NASA's Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Funding Announcement (April 2018), which outlines standard NASA proposal requirements and procedures.
Funding details in the source data indicate an award ceiling of $125,000 for Phase I and an expectation of around 16 awards. The opportunity is listed as discretionary and allows multiple funding instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts, depending on NASA's determination of the appropriate mechanism for a given award. The associated CFDA number is 43.012, and the activity category is science and technology and other research and development.
For access to the full solicitation text and any amendments, NASA directs applicants to navigate within NSPIRES to the SpaceTech-REDDI-2020 solicitation (80HQTR20NOA01), then to the list of open program elements, and then to the specific NIAC Phase I appendix (80HQTR20NOA01-21NIACA1) where the "NIAC Phase I Solicitation Document" is posted. NASA also notes that updates, FAQs, and clarifications will be posted on the NSPIRES page for the appendix, and that questions can be sent to hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov. Responses may be provided directly by email and may also be incorporated into the publicly posted FAQ, with questioners' identities kept anonymous.Apply for 80HQTR20NOA01 21NIAC A1
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration 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 Jun 03, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 29, 2020. (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 $125,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 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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