Last updated: April 26, 2024
The following requirements are from the NASA Proposer's Guide (February 2023). However, investigators are advised to refer to the funding notice for any additional requirements.
Biographical Sketch
What to disclose
The proposal must demonstrate that the personnel and/or participants who will have critical management or technical roles have the appropriate qualifications, capabilities, and expertise to achieve the proposed objectives.
- PIs, Co-PIs, any Co-I serving in one of the three special Co-I categories and graduate student participant/trainees defined in Appendix B must include a biographical sketch (not to exceed two pages). In the biographical sketch, include:
- Professional experiences and positions
- Bibliography of publications, especially those relevant to the proposed investigation
- Description of scientific, technical and management performance on relevant prior research efforts
- Co-Is proposing to spend 10% or more of their time (in any given year) to the effort: Limited to a one-page sketch.
- Co-Is spending less than 10% of their time and other team members: No biographical sketches are required unless specified in the NOFO.
When to disclose
Biographical sketch information is generally required during proposal submission, but updates to the information may be requested as part of interim reports or whenever significant changes occur. Please refer to funding notice and award terms for specific requirements.
Current and Pending Support
Who discloses
- PIs and Co-PIs must provide all ongoing and pending projects and proposals (regardless of salary support) in which they are performing or will perform any part of the work.
- Co-Is proposing to spend 10% or more of their time to the proposed effort must provide a list of ongoing and pending projects and proposals (regardless of salary support) that require a significant share (more than 10%) of their time.
- Co-Is at non-U.S. institutions: Current and pending support is not required.
- Students: Current and pending support is usually not required. It may be requested, depending on the specifics of the NOFO.
What to disclose
Make every effort to disclose all current and pending to the best of your knowledge. Proposals do not need to include the current proposal on the list of pending proposals unless submitted to another funding opportunity (NASA or another sponsor). For those investigators for whom it is required (see above), the proposal shall provide the following information for each current and pending project:
- Title of funded project or proposal title;
- Name of PI on award or proposal;
- Program name (if appropriate) and sponsoring agency or organization, including a point of contact with their telephone number and email address;
- Performance period;
- Total amount received by that investigator (including indirect costs) or the amount per year if uniform (e.g., $50k/year); and
- Time commitment by the investigator for each year of the period of performance.
Proposers may request student funding in three different ways:
- As a direct labor cost, the same as a key or other personnel.
- As a scholarship or other student aid that must comply with the requirements in 2 CFR 200.466, Scholarships and student aid costs.
- As a participant support cost as defined in 2 CFR 200.75.
When to disclose
As noted, the above information is required to be submitted as part of the proposal.
In addition, the proposing PI must notify the NASA Program Officer identified in the NOFO immediately of any successful proposals that are awarded for substantially the same research as proposed to NASA, any time after the proposal due date and until the announcement of NASA’s selections.
Foreign Engagements
Restrictions
NASA has had long-standing restrictions on using NASA funds to enter into agreements with China.
"In accordance with China restrictions set forth in section 526 of PL 117-103, and all applicable subsequent appropriations acts, NASA is prohibited from funding any work that involves the bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chinese-owned company or entity, at the prime recipient level or at any subrecipient level, whether funded or performed under a no-exchange-of-funds basis. Accordingly, proposals shall not include bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chinese-owned company or entity, whether funded or performed under a no-exchange-of funds basis. Proposals involving bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company, whether funded or performed under a no-exchange-of-funds basis, will be ineligible for award." - NASA Proposer's Guide Section 2.2.1, Special Restrictions of Non-U.S. Organizations
NASA requires certification of adherence to this policy by submission of NASA Assurance of Compliance: China Funding Restriction [PDF].
Proposals Involving Non-U.S. Organizations
Except as outlined in the certification regarding restriction on doing business with certain countries, NASA welcomes proposals from non-U.S. organizations and proposals that include the participation of non-U.S. organizations.
Proposals that propose research to be performed by a non-U.S. organization or with a non-U.S. organization as part of a proposal submitted by a U.S. organization typically are supported through a non-exchange of funds agreement. If a proposal with a non-U.S. partner is selected, NASA will determine whether such participation should be covered by and implemented through an international agreement between NASA and the sponsoring foreign agency or funding/sponsoring institution under which the parties agree to each bear the cost of discharging their respective responsibilities. (See NASA Proposer's Guide Section 2.2.1 Special Restrictions of Non-U.S. Organizations)
This policy pertains to the nature of the proposing organization. It does not relate to the nationality or citizenship of the individuals listed in the proposal.
See the MIT Office of the Vice President for Research Foreign Engagement page for recent updates and additional resources regarding foreign engagements.