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SUN-EARTH CONNECTIONSUPPORTING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY,SUBORBITAL, GUEST INVESTIGATOR,AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

        This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits proposals for basic
research investigations that seek to understand natural phenomena in the
disciplines relevant to the Sun-Earth Connection theme of NASA's Office of
Space Science (OSS).  The science disciplines of interest are heliospheric
physics, solar physics, magnetospheric physics, and
ionospheric-thermospheric-mesospheric (ITM) physics.  The purpose of this
research opportunity is to enable the relevant science communities to plan,
propose for, and fully exploit NASA flight missions in space science
through a wide variety of research investigations involving theory and
modeling, analysis of archival data, development of concepts for future
experiments, development and flight of suborbital experiments, and key
ground-based observations that support flight missions.  This program
supports only those proposals that  clearly demonstrate relevance to NASA's
interests.  Specific opportunities open to proposals through this NRA are
for Sun-Earth Connection Supporting Research and Technology (SR&T),
Suborbital, Guest Investigator, and Educational Outreach (EO) programs,
each of which is treated in detail in Appendix A.

        Participation in these programs is open to all categories of
organizations including educational institutions, industry, nonprofit
institutions, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies.  Minority and
disadvantaged institutions are particularly encouraged to apply to this
NRA.  Selection for funding will be based with equal priority on (i)
science and technical merit as determined by peer review, (ii) relevance to
NASA programs in space science, and (iii) cost.  Funding for selected
proposals will derive from NASA's budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997
beginning October 1, 1996.  As of this writing, this budget is still being
considered for authorization and appropriation through the Federal
budgetary process.  Therefore, the Government's obligation to make awards
under this NRA is contingent upon both the receipt of proposals that the
Government determines are acceptable for award and the availability of
appropriated funds.

        Table 1 summarizes the Program elements discussed in Appendix A,
which provides technical and programmatic information specific to this NRA.
Appendix B contains standard guidance for the preparation and the
evaluation of proposals.  Appendix C provides model formats for summary
information that must preface each proposal.  Appendix D provides the
definitions of terms used in evaluating proposals.  Appendices may be
accessed by downloading from the Sun-Earth Connection World Wide Web
homepage at: http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/spd/spd.html or
by sending a written request (facsimile, postal mail, or e-mail) to the
address below.  The following summary information applies to this NRA:

        *  Program identifier:                  NRA 96-OSS-09

        *  Date of Announcement issue:          May 20, 1996

        *  Due date for Notice of Intent
           to propose:                          June 20, 1996

        *  Date for submission of proposal:     August 20, 1996; 4:30 pm EDT

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        *  Anticipated announcement of
           selections:                          January 1997

        *  Initiation of new grants:            February 1997

        *  Required proposal copies:            10 copies plus signed original

        *  Address for request for NRA
           copy, and for submission of
           Notice of Intent:
                                        NASA Sun-Earth Connection NRA
                                        Jorge Scientific Corporation
                                        400 Virginia Avenue, SW, Suite 700
                                        Washington, DC  20024
                                         USA.

                                        Phone: 202-554-2775
                                        Facsimile: 202-554-3042 or 202-554-2970
                                        E-mail: [email protected]

        *  Address for proposal submission:
                                        NASA Sun-Earth Connection NRA
                                        Jorge Scientific Corporation
                                        400 Virginia Avenue, SW, Suite 700
                                        Washington, DC  20024
                                        USA.

                                        Phone: 202-554-2775

        *  Selecting official:          Director
                                        Research Program Management Division
                                        Office of Space Science.

        *  Contact for additional information:     Discipline
                                        representatives (p. see A-9 - A-18)

Your interest and cooperation in this program are appreciated.

George L. Withbroe
Science Program Director
Sun-Earth Connection
Office of Space Science

Enclosures

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