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**APPENDIX A

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

1.      Introduction**

The Sun-Earth Connection theme of NASA's Office of Space Science (OSS)
supports investigations concerning the origin, evolution, and interactions
of space plasmas and electromagnetic fields in the heliosphere and in
connection with the galaxy.  Understanding the origin and nature of solar
activity and its effect on the space environment of the Earth is a
particular focus.  Previous NASA Research Announcements (NRA's) in this
series referred to the science disciplines involved here under the general
title of Space Physics.  Current discipline foci are:
-  Heliospheric Physics:  the three-dimensional origin, acceleration,and transport of the solar wind and solar energetic particles and theirinteraction with the local interstellar medium, including the solarmodulation of galactic cosmic rays; **Solar Physics:** the Sun as a typical dwarf star, and as thedominant, time-varying source of energy, plasma, and energetic particles inthe solar system especially concerning its influence on the Earth; Magnetospheric Physics:
 the interactions between the solar wind andthe physical bodies of the solar system, leading to formation of themagnetospheres of the Earth, other planets, comets, and primordial bodies,and magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere interactions;and
-  Ionospheric, Thermospheric, Mesospheric (ITM) Physics:  the physicsof the mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, and aurorae of the Earth,including the coupling of these phenomena to the lower atmosphere andmagnetosphere. The emphasis in all of these disciplines is the study of processes thatoccur naturally in the space environment and/or the study of man madeperturbations that elucidate natural plasma processes.  Owing to budgetaryrestrictions, it is extremely unlikely that  plasma physics experimentsmade possible only through access to space can be supported.  Details ofthe purview of these disciplines are given in respective subsections ofSection 6.Owing to the recent OSS reorganization, the solicitation of proposals forresearch into the specifically galactic astrophysical aspects of Cosmic RayPhysics will be made through a separate NRA.It is NASA and U.S. Government policy to maximize the opportunities forSmall Disadvantaged Businesses, Historically Black Colleges andUniversities, and Minority Institutions.  Investigators from suchinstitutions are particularly encouraged to propose. A-1    Regardless of the apparent availability of opportunities for programsdiscussed in this NRA, prospective proposers are advised that theseprograms have been extremely competitive in recent years and, therefore,the number of selections has been severely restricted owing to limitationsof funds.  In the last several years, as few as one out of five of thesubmitted proposals have been successful in being selected.  The currentand predicted future NASA budgets indicate that the selection ratio forthis current NRA will be no better than in the past.  2.       Program Description The programs covered by this NRA have now been comprehensively reviewedseveral times each since 1988, generally resulting in a distribution ofone-, two-, and three-year research grants and contracts (hereaftercollectively called awards).  Since then, yearly NRA's have solicitedproposals for those portions of the budget that are anticipated to beuncommitted as a result of the expiration of previous awards and/or as aresult of additional budget authority.  This NRA is the only one to beissued for funding starting in Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 for basic supportingresearch and analysis in the programs listed in Table l and discussed indetail in Sections 6 and 7 below.NASA recognizes that the analysis of data from its older flight programscan still provide the basis for significant  scientific progress and suchdata may be used for investigations submitted in response to this NRA.Investigators who wish to do so, however, must verify access to any datathat is necessary for the proposed research.Proposals for several elements of the Sun-Earth Connection research programare solicited in this NRA.  These include the Supporting Research andTechnology (SR&T) and suborbital programs in the various disciplines, theoverarching Space Physics Theory Program (SPTP), and the EducationalOutreach (EO) program.  Several Guest Investigator (GI) Programs are alsointroduced in this NRA.  Generic program descriptions follow immediatelywhile discipline specific information can be found in Sections 6 and 7.         (1)  Supporting Research and Technology Program.   The themedisciplines support between 20 and 80 individual research tasks each.These tasks employ a variety of research techniques, e.g., theory,numerical simulation, and modeling, analysis and interpretation of existingspace data,  development of new instrument concepts, and laboratorymeasurements of relevant atomic and plasma parameters, all to the extentthey have a clearly stated and specific application to contemporaryproblems of the natural phenomena and to the NASA Sun-Earth Connectionprogram.  The individual SR&T programs are described further in Section 6below.         (2)  Suborbital Programs .  The objectives of the suborbitalprograms are: (i) to allow the study of naturally-occurring phenomena inspace or near-space that can be obtained with relatively low costinstruments flown from unique locations and/or in conjunction with specialevents (e.g., a solar eclipse or to gather ancillary data for a relatedorbiting spacecraft); and (ii) to proof-test new concepts in experimentaltechniques that may ultimately find application for orbital missions forSun-Earth Connection  program objectives.  The suborbital program for SolarPhysics is treated in Section 6.2 of this Appendix, and the combinedsuborbital program for Magnetospheric and ITM physics is treated separatelyin Section 7. A-2    (3)  Space Physics Theory Program (SPTP).   This program allowsrelatively large "critical mass" groups of investigators to attacktheoretical and modeling problems concerning the natural phenomena relatingto the Sun-Earth Connection program that are beyond the scope of thenominally smaller SR&T tasks discussed above.  This program was competedthroughNRA 95-OSS-11, and the current three year cycle of funding runs through FY1998.  This program is not open for competition through this NRA.         (4)  Educational Outreach (EO) Program.   This program provides fora modest supplement (up to $5 K per year) to enable educational outreachefforts directed at elementary school through undergraduate college levelstudents and/or teachers, or the general public. Education Outreach effortsmay be proposed as supplements to new research proposals for any of theprograms noted above.  Principal Investigators already holding existingSpace Physics research grants having periods of performance that extendinto FY 1997 may also propose for a EO supplement.  Owing to their smallsize, EO grants cannot be awarded independent of a "parent" research award.Details are given in Section 3.3 of this Appendix.         (5) Guest Investigator (GI)Programs.   Guest Investigator Programsare intended to maximize the return from currently ongoing missions byproviding support for research which heavily utilizes mission specific datafrom currently operating spacecraft.  Three GI programs are advertised inthis NRA.  The SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Guest InvestigatorProgram is described in Section 6.2 and both the Interball andInternational Solar Terrestrial Program (ISTP) Guest Investigator Programsare described in Section 6.3. 3.      Research Opportunity        3.1     New and Renewal Proposals Anyone wishing to be eligible for funding for a new task to be initiated inFY 1997 for the disciplines described here should respond to this NRA.  Allproposals received in response to this NRA will be reviewed on an equalbasis without regard to whether a preceding task by the same investigatorwas previously funded by this or any other OSS program.  Selections fromamong the proposals of highest scientific and technical merit will alsotake into account programmatic factors as determined appropriate for NASA'sSun-Earth Connection theme (see Section 5 below).Investigators whose proposals were selected for multiyear Space PhysicsDivision awards continuing through FY 1997 do not need to respond to thisNRA.   Investigators of ongoing awards are strongly encouraged to submitproposals for an Education Outreach supplement; see Section 3.3.      3.2     Limitations on Objectives of Proposals *  This NRA solicits proposals for research investigations that fall withinthe general scope of the science disciplines as defined in Section 1 butthat are distinctly separate from investigations selected for currentlyapproved space flight missions.  Therefore, proposals whose intent orpurpose is to extend or directly supplement an investigation selected foran approved space flight mission are not appropriate for this NRA.*  Proposals for fabrication of complete flight instruments are notappropriate for this NRA except for the suborbital programs, details ofwhich are provided in Sections 6 and 7.  However, the development ofinstrument concepts and/or critical subassemblies (e.g., detectors,filters, etc.) for long-duration space and/or suborbital flight through tothe stage of laboratory ("brass board") verification may be proposed as an A-3   SR&T task provided the proposed activity is in the context of a clearlydefined science investigation even though the investigation cannot becarried out without a flight opportunity.  While such hardware proposalsare strongly encouraged, funding for development of a laboratory instrumentconcept does not guarantee either a suborbital or orbital flightopportunity.*  Proposals for the analysis of data from past missions are solicited.Such proposals must , however, have specific scientific objectives and notfocus just on reprocessing, archiving, and/or routine reduction of flightdata.*  Some areas of study within the Sun-Earth Connection theme overlap withresearch objectives supported by other OSS disciplines.  In particular,proposals dealing with the following disciplines are outside the purview ofthis NRA:  the neutral components of planetary toruses, rings, and/oratmospheres of extra-terrestrial planets; comparison of the Sun to otherstars; cosmic x-rays and gamma rays; the chemistry and/or dynamics of thelower, neutral terrestrial atmosphere (i.e., below the mesosphere); andcosmic rays.  If there are any questions, contact the appropriatediscipline scientist.         3.3     Educational Outreach Supplements The goal of the EO program is to encourage science community members tobecome involved with local schools and/or undergraduate colleges, as wellas with other public educational institutions. The program supportsattempts to provide educational opportunities and materials that promotegeneral scientific literacy, as well as an understanding of the spacesciences. The emphasis is on active participation of researchers. It is notin the spirit of this program to simply buy equipment for an educationalinstitution, or to conduct a science contest for student projects.Proposals are expected to provide assurance that the effort is well plannedand that it is based on a true "partnership" between the researcher and thegeneral public and/or school system.The maximum award for a EO supplement is $5 K per year for a period not toexceed that of the parent research proposal.  It is desired but notrequired that the Principal Investigator's  institutional overhead bewaived for these supplements.  In past competitions approximately 75% ofsubmitted EO proposals have been funded.Specifically, EO proposers should:   -   Submit a Notice of Intent   Target the educational outreach activity at the general public, orstudents and/or especially teachers at the elementary through high school,or undergraduate collegiate levels  Include active involvement by the EO Principal Investigator (PI). whomust be the PI of a selected NASA research award.  The addition ofCo-Investigators with educational expertise to in-place research awards isan option which is encouraged.
-   Outline a plan for evaluating the success of theproposed project   Provide a succinct but complete description (not to exceed fivepages) of the intended       project, prefaced by an abstract.  (The onlyprefatory sheets that need to be submitted are an  EO Supplement CoverSheet (Appendix C, p. C-11) and a summary Budget Sheet      following theformat of p. C-6).A-4All EO proposals submitted as supplements to existing awards will beevaluated. The only EO supplements to new research proposals that will beevaluated, however, will be those associated with proposals selected forfunding on the merits of the research objectives of the "parent" grant.The evaluation will be conducted by members of the Research ProgramManagement Division (RPMD) and other interested members of the Office ofSpace Science.  The Sun-Earth Connection strongly encourages the submissionof EO proposals, but also notes that the submission of an EO proposal willnot influence the selection of regular SR&T or Suborbital programproposals.  Separately bound proposals for Education Outreach supplementsshould be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the precedingsolicitation letter.4.      Proposal Preparation and Submission        4.1.    General Provisions*  Justification for selection of an investigation submitted in response tothis NRA lies in its scientific and technological merit, the relevance ofthe proposed investigation to NASA's flight programs for the Sun-EarthConnection, and its cost to NASA, all of approximately equal weight.  SeeSection 5  for further discussion of the evaluation and selection criteria.*  While there are no specific requirements for its content, successfulproposals are typically characterized by posing a scientific investigationhaving the following attributes:        -  a clear description of a specific scientific problem;        -  a persuasive description of how the attack on this problem will be           carried out;        -  a discussion of the relevance of the proposed research to NASA's current           and/or future programs;        -  a clearly stated budget requesting support for only the items necessary           to carry the investigation through to completion.*  The detailed instructions on the preparation of budgets that arepresented in Appendix C (p. C-5) must be followed.*  To ensure that responsibility for the proposal is focused on the actualpractitioner(s) of the work, "umbrella" proposals directed by a singlePrincipal Investigator (PI) who only serves as an overall director formultiple individual research tasks, even though the individual tasks arerelated by a common theme, are not appropriate.*  "Co-Principal Investigators" are not recognized; each proposal must havea single PI with overall scientific and financial responsibility for thetask.*  Even though NASA can provide awards for only one year at a time,proposers may request periods of performance of up to three years   In thecase of any multiyear proposal, the scope of the proposed research mustjustify such funding, and NASA reserves the right to request a revisedproposal with restricted objectives appropriate for a reduced period ofperformance and/or reduced budget.  If a proposal is accepted for amultiyear award, continued funding is subject to the availability of funds,demonstration of satisfactory progress as evidenced by a brief annualreport, and submission of an updated budget.  In the case of a shortage offunds, renewal of multiyear awards usually takes priority over initiationof new awards.  NASA reserves the right to negotiate funding for multiyearawards as a condition for continuation.A-5*    Proposals for extensions of previously funded efforts should clearlydistinguish between the work which has already been completed and the newwork being proposed.        4.2     Notice of Intent to ProposeSubmission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose is required.  This isnecessary in order to allow planning for a timely and efficient peer reviewprocess.  Submission of a NOI does not commit the sender to submit aproposal, nor are Co-Investigator (CoI) commitments binding.  The suggestedNOI cover sheet format can be found in Appendix C (p. C-2).  The NOI mustinclude:        -  reference to this NRA by its alpha-numeric identifier;        -  the Program Element and Technique/Research area (see page C-2) to which           the proposal is to be directed        -  the names, institutional addresses, and phone numbers of the Principal           Investigator and of anticipated Co-Investigators;        -  the title of the expected investigation        -  a brief description of the investigation to be proposedA NOI may be submitted by any one of the following means, please do notsend duplicates (i.e., fasimile followed by hard copy).  An acknowledgmentof receipt will be sent by mail.        *  By postal **or** express mail to:                1996 Sun-Earth Connection NRA                Jorge Scientific Corporation                400 Virginia Avenue, SW, Suite 700                Washington, DC 20024            USA                Phone:   202-554-2775        *  By facsimile to:             202-554-3042 or 202-554-2970        *  By electronic mail to:       [email protected]        4.3     Specific Proposal Preparation InformationProposals submitted in response to this NRA should be prepared followingthe  provisions of Appendix B with the following exceptions:*  Replace paragraph (¶) b. of Section 7., entitled "Transmittal Letter orPrefatory Material," in its entirety as follows:"b.  Transmittal Letter or Prefatory Material"In addition to any transmittal letter that the sponsoring institution maywish to send, the first four pages of a proposal shall constitute summarysheets using the Proposal Prefatory Material in Appendix C of this NRA asfollows:-       Cover Sheet                                             (p. C-3)-       Proposal Summary                                        (p. C-4)-       Budget Summary                                          (p. C-6)-       Current and Pending Research Support                    (p. C-7).A-6"The Proposal Summary  prepared in accordance with the model format given onp. C-4 may also serve as the Abstract for the proposal."All new proposals from educational and private institutions must beaccompanied by properly executed Certifications as follows (sample formsare enclosed as pages C-8, C-9, and C-10, respectively, of Appendix C).These certifications constitute part of the proposal prefatory materialsand should follow pages C-3 through C-7 as noted above, but need besubmitted only with the original signed proposal."*  Replace Section 9 of Appendix B, entitled "LENGTH," in its entirety asfollows:"Proposals should be as brief as possible, containing only substantivematerial essential for a complete understanding of the proposed project.Proposals are limited to 16 pages for all programs except the Suborbitalprograms for which the limit is 26 pages. An additional 5 pages is allowedfor description of proposed Educational Outreach  efforts.  Neither therequired prefatory pages (Appendix C) nor bibliographies count in thesepage limits.  Each side of a sheet containing text or figures is considereda page.  Multipage fold-outs count as the equivalent number of regularpages.  Text may be single spaced but limited to 55 lines per page using afont having no more than ~14 characters per inch (10 point font).  A onepage curriculum vitae and personal bibliography relevant may be appendedfor the PI and Co-I.  The full institutional budget  must be appended toU.S. proposals."Restrictions.  Do not send reprints or preprints of articles, nor audio orvisual recordings.  Proposals must use metric units.  In order tofacilitate recycling, proposals should be on white paper with a minimum ofcolor or photographic inserts, printed double-sided if possible, and boundin a way that facilitates disassembly (e.g., staples, loose-leaf or spiralplastic bindings)."*  All proposals submitted by U.S. institutions or from non-U.S.institutions that include U.S-based Co-Investigators must comply with theguidance in Appendix B, ¶i. of Section 7, "PROPOSED COSTS."        4.4     Additional Guidelines for Non-U.S. ProposalsScientists from non-U.S. institutions may propose for this program eitheras Co-I's for a proposal submitted by a U.S. PI, or as  PI's with  U.S.Co-I's. NASA funds only investigators who are staff members of a U.S.institution, regardless of their citizenship.  The following guidelines areto be followed by non-U.S. proposers and their national sponsoringagencies.1.      A Notice of Intent to propose must be submitted as indicated inSection 4.2.  An additional copy of this Notice of Intent to propose mustalso be sent to:                Ms. Shiron Gaines                International Relations Division                Code IR (Attn. NRA 96-OSS-09)                National Aeronautics and Space Administration                Washington, DC  20546-0001     USA.A-72.      Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the provisions inAppendix B, as amended by Section 4.3.  If the proposal involves a Co-Ifrom U.S. institutions, the material in Section 4.4 is applicable to thatU.S. Co-I.  Proposals must be typewritten and in English.  All non-U.S.proposals will undergo the same evaluations and selection processes as U.S.proposals.3.      Non-U.S. PI's or Co-I's planning to submit a proposal shouldarrange with their appropriate governmental agency for endorsement of theproposed activity.  Such endorsement by their national funding organizationshould indicate that the proposal merits careful consideration by NASA, andthat if the proposal is selected, the sponsoring organization hassufficient funds to undertake the proposed activity.4.      All proposals must be received before the established closing date(see Section 7).  Those received after the closing date will be treated inaccordance with NASA's provisions for late proposals (Appendix B, Section11), should such action be in NASA's best interest.  If review andendorsement are not possible before the closing date, non-U.S. sponsoringagencies may forward a proposal without endorsement with the date when adecision on endorsement can be expected.5.      The required copies (10 plus the signed original ) of the proposalshould be sent directly to the address given in the NRA letter coveringthis Appendix, and one copy of the proposal and the letter of endorsementmust be sent to the address in Section 4.4.1.6.      Shortly after the deadline for receipt of proposals, the NASAProgram Office coordinating this Announcement will send an acknowledgmentof the receipt of proposals to each proposer.7.      Successful and unsuccessful proposers will be contacted directly bythe NASA Program Office coordinating this NRA according to the schedule inSection 7.  Copies of these letters will also be sent to the sponsoringgovernmental agency.8.      If a joint proposal is selected, NASA's International RelationsDivision will make arrangements to provide for the non-U.S. selectee'sparticipation in the program on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, in which NASAand the non-U.S. sponsoring agency will each bear the cost of dischargingtheir respective responsibilities.  Depending on the nature and extent ofthe proposal, these arrangements may entail a letter of notification byNASA, an exchange of letters between NASA and the sponsoring foreigngovernmental agency, or an agreement between NASA and the sponsoringforeign governmental agency.5.      Proposal Evaluation and Selection        5.1  Evaluation CriteriaThe criteria to be used for evaluation of proposals are given in AppendixB, Section 13, entitled "EVALUATION FACTORS," with the exceptions that:*  Paragraph (¶) a. of Section 13. is replaced in its entirety by thefollowing:"a.     Recommendations for selection of a proposal will be based onevaluations of the following factors, which have approximately equalA-8weight: (1) intrinsic scientific and technical merit, (2) relevance toNASA's space science program objectives, and (3) reasonableness, realism,and total amount of proposed costs."*  NASA advocates a policy of infusing the newest hardware, materials, andtechnologies into its programs with the goal of minimizing payload mass andcomplexity.  Therefore,  ¶c. of Section 13. is replaced by the following:"c.     Evaluation of a proposal's intrinsic merit includes theconsideration of the following factors, which are listed in order ofdecreasing priority:        (1) Overall scientific or technical merit of the proposal        (2) Unique and innovative methods, approaches, or concepts,especially regarding infusion of new technologies that promise fasterand/or less expensive development.        Other factors, of lesser importance, none of which is moreimportant than any other include:        (3)  Offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities,techniques, or unique combinations of these which are integral factors forachieving the proposal objectives.        (4)  The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of theproposed principal investigator, team leader, or key personnel critical inachieving the proposal objectives.        (5)  Overall standing among similar proposals and/or evaluationagainst the state-of-the art."        5.2  Evaluation and Selection ProceduresProposal evaluations will be accomplished as described in Appendix B,Section 14.  A non-Government contractor is expected to aid NASA inorganizing and documenting the proposal peer reviews, which will be done bymail-in and/or panel reviews.  External reviewers will be asked to considerprimarily only the science and technical merit of the proposals, whereascost and relevance factors are the purview of NASA.  All non-Governmentreviewers are required to submit nondisclosure statements prior to theirparticipation in the evaluation process.  All peer reviewers will be askedto provide a final summary evaluation based on the ratings defined inAppendix D.  Based on the peer and programmatic evaluations, finalselections will be made by the Director of the Research Program ManagementDivision, in consultation with the relevant science discipline staff of theDivision as well as the Science Program Director for the Sun-EarthConnection theme.6.      Science Discipline SR&T Programs        6.1      Heliospheric PhysicsThe Heliospheric Physics program supports studies of the creation of thesolar wind; of the development of the solar wind in three dimensions and onall spatial scales; on solar wind acceleration and transport of energeticA-9particles; and of solar wind interaction with the interstellar medium as itflows around and through the heliosphere.  Heliospheric Physics seeks tounderstand the space environment of all planetary systems in the solarsystem, and the interaction of that environment with the Universe outsideit.**A.  Heliospheric Physics Theory and Data Analysis Program.**  Thisprogram supports data analysis and synthesis, theory, simulation, andmodeling efforts relevant to understanding the heliosphere.  This programunderwent comprehensive review in 1994 resulting in three-year awards thatessentially subscribe the available budgets through FY 1997.  This NRA DOESNOT solicit general heliosphere proposals.  It is anticipated that theheliosphere SR&T program will be fully competed next year.A separate NRA for a new Heliospheric Missions Guest Investigator (GI)program to begin in FY 1997 will be issued shortly.  The Heliospheric GINRA will solicit new investigations which fulfill the objectives ofheliospheric science using data from Pioneers 10 and 11 and Voyagers 1 and2 (postencounter), Ulysses, and SAMPEX.**B.  General Information.**  Questions concerning the HeliosphericPhysics program should be addressed to:        Dr. Miriam A. Forman        Heliospheric Physics        Research Program Management Division        Code SR        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC  20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-0897                Fax:            202-358-3097                E-mail:         [email protected]The solicitation of proposals for research into the specifically galacticastrophysical aspects of Cosmic Ray Physics will be made through a separateNRA. Questions concerning this NRA and/or general questions regarding theCosmic Ray program should be addressed to:        Dr. W. Vernon Jones        Research Program Management Division        Code SR        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC 20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-1588                Fax:            202-358-3097                E-mail:         [email protected]        6.2     Solar PhysicsThe Solar Physics program has as its objective the comprehensive study ofall solar regimes, defined as the solar interior, the quiet solaratmosphere, solar activity, and the solar corona.  Proposals focused onextended analysis of data now in the public domain from previous solarspace science missions are encouraged, as are proposals that would aid orabet the planning of possible future solar flight programs, which include:A-10-  the Mechanisms of Solar Variability - Phase Zero (MSV-0) program thatwas started in FY 1994-  the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer (TRACE) to be launched inSeptember 1997 and operated under an open data policy;-  as a possible next step in the MSV program, a cooperative JapaneseSolar-B mission to be launched after 2000**A.  Solar Physics Supporting Research and Technology Program.**  TheSolar Physics SR&T program supports investigations involving analyses ofexisting data that are in the public domain and are not currently supportedby a specific guest investigator or participating scientist program norbeing analyzed by science teams of an active flight mission using MissionOperations and Data Analysis funding.  Such acceptable SR&T investigationsinclude the development of theoretical models and numerical simulationtechniques pertinent to solar physics, and, in special cases, thedevelopment or coordination of solar ground-based observing capabilitiesthat support NASA Solar Physics flight programs.  This Solar Physics SR&Tprogram also supports the exploration and demonstration of new instrumentconcepts pertinent to discipline goals, but it does not support thedevelopment of space flight instruments per se.For purposes of the management of discipline balance, the NASA SolarPhysics program is organized into a matrix of five techniques, viz.,        -  Development of Instrument Concepts,        -  Ground-based Observations,        -  Theory,        -  Data Analysis, and        -  Ancillary Laboratory Research (e.g., derivation of atomic constants or        photometric calibrations)and the four solar research regimes noted above.  Investigations in allmatrix categories are invited.  Proposals that seek to develop laboratoryconcepts for new instruments for future suborbital or orbital flightopportunities are especially welcome.  Although no priorities are imposedon these categories, an ideal program is envisaged as a balance among them,consistent with the quality of submitted proposals and their relevance tothe current Solar Physics flight programs.  To aid in the identification ofpeer reviewers it is essential that the Cover Sheet (Appendix C, p. C.2)for Solar Physics proposals include a single discipline descriptor (e.g.,Theory/Corona; Ground-based Observations/Solar Interior; etc.) as the"Technique/Research Area" designation.As part of a mission agency, the Sun-Earth Connection theme seeks to fundonly those efforts that directly impact NASA missions or interpretation oftheir data.  Consequently, investigations, especially in ground-based solarphysics, even if of considerable merit, will not be given high priority forfunding through this NRA if they are judged to be more appropriate forsubmission to other Federal agencies.Note that solar physics will review, select, and directly fund onlycomplete investigations proposed by a single PI. Funding of Co-I's fromother institutions to an investigation must be accomplished by the PIinstitution of that investigation.The Solar Physics SR&T program has had several comprehensive reviews since1988 resulting in a distribution of one-, two-, and three-year grants.Therefore, only a portion of the program is currently available forcompetition each year.  Total program funds in FY 1996 of $6.2 M supportedapproximately 82 grants, 25 of which are expiring.A-11**B.  Suborbital Program in Solar Physics.**  This program underwentcomprehensive review in 1988, 1989, and 1993 for balloon and suborbitalrocket investigations, resulting in the selection of a number of multiyearawards.The suborbital solar rocket program is expected to be somewhat more focusedin this coming three-year funding cycle, with emphasis on the support ofthe SOHO mission, the development of instrument concepts for the MSV-0program that began in FY 1994 and efforts addressing the approaching solaractivity cycle maximum.  Proposals will also be considered, however, thataddress other science areas or technology development activities thatrelate to the general NASA Solar program.If a previously funded rocket or balloon investigation group is reselectedunder this NRA, appropriate funding will continue for a period of up tothree years, given adequate evidence of progress and availability of funds.Previously funded groups not reselected may receive phase-out funding forFY 1997, whereas new groups selected may receive only lower, phase-infunding.  It is anticipated that about $2.2 M will be available for four tosix suborbital investigations in each of the next three years.**C.  SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Guest InvestigatorProgram.**  Proposals are invited to a SOHO Guest Investigator programrequiring new SOHO observations, analysis of existing data, theoreticalanalysis in relation to SOHO observation, or ancillary ground-basedobservations.  SOHO is a mission of international cooperation between ESAand NASA.  An objective of the Guest Investigator program is to generatesignificant results quickly, utilizing the unique and vast capabilities ofthe SOHO mission.Two types of Guest Investigator  participation in the SOHO mission areforeseen.        -  For the coronal experiments GI's will be attached to anexperiment team, and within that team will have priority rights for theanalysis of certain data sets, or priority rights for a  certain type ofanalysis.  This mode of participation will apply to data from the followinginvestigations: Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS),Extreme-ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (EIT), White Light andSpectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO), Solar Ultraviolet Emitted Radiation(SUMER), Solar Wind Anistropies (SWAN), and Ultraviolet CoronagraphSpectrometer (UVCS).        -  The data for the particle and helioseismology experiments do notlend themselves to  being split up into 'events', observing sequences, ortime intervals, and, therefore, approved GI's will be included as membersof the PI teams and share the rights and obligations of the teammembers.  This mode of participation will apply to data from thefollowing investigations:  Charge, Element, and Isotope Analysis (CELIAS),Suprathermal and Energetic Particle analyser (COSTEP), EnergeticParticle Analyser (ERNE), Global Oscillations at Low Frequencies (GOLF),Variability of Solar Irradiance (VIRGO), and the Michaelson DopplerImager (MDI/SOI).The recommendations for selection of GI proposals will be made by the SOHOGuest Investigator Selection Committee (GISC) whose members are appointedby ESA and NASA.  Proposals will be evaluated according to their overallscientific merit, relevance to the SOHO mission, compatibility withdeclared SOHO PI team objectives, and feasibility. It is necessary but notsufficient for approval for a GI proposal that  the proposed work add tothe expertise existing within the SOHO experiment team rather than simplyduplicating it.  Awards will be for one year, but it is anticipated thatthis SOHO Guest Investigator Program announcement will be repeated annuallyfor at least two years, with up to $1M available per year from NASA.Non-U.S. GI's will have to obtain funding for their research from theirnational or other international institution.A-12Prospective Guest Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the PIteam to which they wish to be attached in an early stage of the preparationof the proposal.  In particular the following two issues need to beclarified early on:        1)  The feasibility of the proposed observations -- are they        possible using SOHO instruments, and can they be carried out with a        reasonable amount of effort and time?        2)  Potential conflicts with investigations by the SOHO PI teams,        either through duplication of declared major PI team objectives, or        interference with planned observations.   Note that in this regard SOHO        PI teams may recommend to prospective GI's that they consider        different SOHO teams if this seems more appropriate.Interested parties may inquire by postal or electronic mail, or by phone,to the person in subsection D below for additional written informationdescribing the details of this opportunity, may consult the December 1995issue of Solar Physics, or  may see the SOHO information found at thefollowing World Wide Web site:        http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/Eligibility:  A U.S. PI on the SOHO mission may not receive funding from orpropose as a PI to this Guest Investigator Program.  SOHO Co-I's maypropose to this GI program as PI's but must include in their proposal adescription of their mission responsibilities which must not duplicate theresearch proposed.Guidelines for preparation and submission of proposals for this program areas the same as those for the standard SR&T proposal with the exception thatproposals for this program will be accepted up to 30 days **after** the duedate for proposals to the main SR&T program.**D.  General Information.** Questions concerning the Solar Physicsprogram should be addressed to:        Dr. William J. Wagner        Solar Physics Discipline        Research Program Management Division        Code SR        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC  20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-0911                Fax:            202-358-3097                E-mail:         [email protected]        6.3     Magnetospheric PhysicsThe Magnetospheric Physics program supports studies of the structure anddynamics of magnetospheres and the interactions of solar system spaceplasmas with planetary magnetospheres and natural space bodies.  Thediscipline focus is on naturally occurring space plasma phenomena, withattention given to both large-scale system structures and processes, andthe underlying micro physics.  The geospace portion of thesolar-terrestrial chain, including the solar wind-magnetosphereinteraction, is the principal focus of the program with an emphasis on theA-13role of the magnetosphere in intercepting, storing, converting, andreacting to the impinging energy and momentum from the solar wind.Research on comparative magnetospheres, Moon-plasma interactions, and cometenvironments is also appropriate.  Primary data are provided fromspace-based in situ  and remote sensing measurements of plasmas, plasmawaves, energetic particles, electric fields, and magnetic fields; globaland large-scale images, e.g., auroras; and appropriate ground-basedmeasurements complementary to and supportive of the space data.**A.  Magnetospheric Physics Supporting Research and TechnologyProgram.**   This program supports the analysis, interpretation, andsynthesis of data; theoretical research; and the development of models andsimulations with the purpose of identifying and understanding the physicalprocesses important to magnetospheric structure and dynamics.  Thedevelopment and testing of new instrument concepts pertinent to disciplinegoals may also be supported, if the proposed activity is in the context ofa clearly defined science investigation, but not the development ofspecific engineering, proto-flight, or flight instrumentation (see section3.2 of Appendix A).  Total funding in this program has been about $4.0 Mper year.  Of the approximately 70 grants currently being funded, about onequarter will expire in FY 1996.**B.  Suborbital Program in Magnetospheric, Ionospheric,Thermosphere, and Mesosphere (MITM) Physics.**  The MITM program supportsresearch on magnetospheric, ionospheric, thermospheric, and mesosphericphysics using a variety of methods for providing low cost access to space.These include standard and long-duration balloons, sounding rockets,Spartan and other Shuttle-based carriers, and sounding rocket-classpayloads flown as secondary payloads or on other missions of opportunity.See the separate program description in Section 7  for further details.**C.  International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) GuestInvestigator Program.**  A two-year ISTP Guest Investigator program isprovided for correlative scientific research  - data analysis, theory, andsimulations - that heavily utilizes the  ISTP data base (Polar,  Wind,Geotail, Cluster, and SOHO) and complementary spacecraft, plus theassociated ground-based and theory investigations).  Such proposedscientific investigations are expected to have PI's or Co-I's from thenamed missions as collaborators (unfunded by the GI program) and mustverify access to the necessary multiple satellite and instrument data basesfor the proposed correlative research.  An objective of the GuestInvestigator program is to generate significant results quickly, utilizingthe unique and vast resources of the primary ISTP missions.  Thus, theselections for this opportunity must strongly focus upon research thatextensively uses the multimission data base to address problems on a globalscale.  One year or two year awards at a funding level of about $75K to$100K per year are expected to result from this opportunity, for whichtotal funding is expected to be up to $2M per year.  For two-year awards,funding approval for the second year will be based upon the tangiblescientific achievements of the first year and continued program need.Early scientific results will be used to demonstrate the significantaccomplishments and value of the ISTP program both to the scientificcommunity and the public.Interested parties may inquire by postal or electronic mail, or by phone,to the person in subsection E below for additional written information describing the details of this opportunity, or  see the ISTP information found at the following World Wide Web site:        http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Eligibility:  A PI on the ISTP missions  (Polar, SOHO, Wind, Geotail,  andCluster) may not receive funding from or propose as a PI to this GuestInvestigator Program.  ISTP mission Co-I's may propose to this GI programas a PI but must include in their proposal a description of their missionresponsibilities which must not duplicate the research proposed.A-14Guidelines for preparation and submission of proposals for this program,including the requirement for submission of a Letter of Intent andsubmission due dates, are as the same as those for standard SR&T proposals.**D.  Interball Guest Investigator Program.**  Collaborative analysisof data from the Russian Space Agency's Interball  and U.S. ISTP programsatellites is anticipated to provide the basis for important scientificadvances.   One-year research awards will, therefore, be provided forscientific research - data analysis, theory, and simulations - thatemphasizes correlative studies using Interball observations that areimportant to the GGS/ISTP missions.Proposed scientific investigations are expected to have Interball  PI's orCo-I's as unfunded collaborators and must have verified access to theInterball data required to fulfill the proposed research objectives.  Thelatter verification must be in writing and included in the proposal.Proposals that make high time resolution Interball data available to theGGS/ISTP community on a timely basis will be favored. A strong bias in theselections for this opportunity will be towards research that uses themission data base extensively to address global scale problems.Approximately 5 one-year awards are expected to result from thisopportunity, for which funding totals $250K.Interested parties may inquire by postal or electronic mail, or by phone,to the person in subsection E below for additional written information describing the details of this opportunity,  may see the ISTP information found at the World Wide Web sit referenced in Section 6.3.C, or may query the Interball Home Page at:        http://www.iki.rssi.ru/interball.htmlGuidelines for preparation and submission of proposals for this program,including the requirement for submission of a Letter of Intent andsubmission due dates, are as the same as those for standard SR&T proposals.**E.  General Information.**  Questions concerning the MagnetosphericPhysics programs should be addressed to:        Dr. Robert L. Carovillano        Magnetospheric Physics Discipline        Research Program Management Division        Code SR        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC  20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-0894                Fax:            202-358-3097                E-mail:         [email protected]        6.4     Ionospheric, Thermospheric, and Mesospheric PhysicsThe Ionospheric, Thermospheric, Mesospheric (ITM) Physics program supportsstudies of the mesosphere and thermosphere regions of the upper atmosphere,the ionosphere, and the auroral processes of Earth.  The goal of the ITMA-15program is to understand the formation, structure, coupling, and dynamicsof these systems.  Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling (which includesauroral phenomena) is treated within the ITM program.  The primary emphasisin all cases is the study of processes that occur naturally in space,including the study of manmade perturbations that elucidate naturalprocesses.  Earth's ITM regions are an important part of thesolar-terrestrial chain.  The discipline thus supports studies ofsolar-terrestrial processes, including studies of coupling processesoutward into the magnetosphere and inward to the upper atmosphere.Proposals based on any in situ and/or space-based remote sensing datarelevant to these study areas are appropriate.  The use of ground-baseddata is appropriate, however, only when it can be shown that it is clearlyand directly relevant to flight program goals.  The program also supportslaboratory studies that directly address problems in ITM physics.**A.  Ionospheric, Thermospheric, Mesospheric Physics (ITM)Supporting Research and Technology (SR&T) Program.**  This program supportstheory, simulation, and modeling, indepth data analysis and synthesis, andlaboratory studies pertinent to the study of the ionosphere, thermosphere,and mesosphere of the Earth.  It also supports the exploration anddemonstration of new instrument concepts pertinent to discipline goals, butdoes not support the development of space flight instruments per se.  Totalfunding for the existing ITM program had been about $4.0 M per year.  Ofthe  61 grants currently being funded, approximately one half will expirein FY 1996.**B.  Suborbital Program in Magnetospheric, Ionospheric,Thermospheric Mesospheric (MITM) Physics.**  The MITM program supportsresearch on magnetospheric, ionospheric, thermospheric and mesosphericphysics using a variety of methods for providing low cost access to space.These include standard and long-duration balloons, sounding rockets,Spartan and other Shuttle-based carriers, and sounding rocket-classpayloads flown as secondary payloads or on other missions of opportunity.See the separate program description in Section 7 for further details.**C.  General Information.**  Questions concerning the ITM PhysicsProgram should be addressed to:        Dr. Mary Mellott        Ionospheric, Thermospheric, and Mesospheric Physics        Research Program Management Division        Code SR        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC  20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-0893.                Fax:            202-358-3097                E-mail:         [email protected]7.      Suborbital Program in Magnetospheric, Ionospheric, Thermospheric,and Mesospheric (MITM) Physics        7.1     General ScopeThe MITM program supports research on magnetospheric, ionospheric,thermospheric, and mesospheric physics using a variety of methods forproviding low cost access to space.  These include standard andlong-duration balloons, sounding rockets, Spartan and other Shuttle-basedA-16carriers, and sounding rocket-class payloads flown as secondary payloads oron other missions of opportunity.  The emphasis is on the study ofprocesses that occur naturally in space and/or the study of man madeperturbations that elucidate natural plasma processes.  Owing to budgetaryrestrictions, it is extremely unlikely that  plasma physics experimentsmade possible only through access to space can be supported. The base MITMprogram consists of a minimum number of balloon- and rocket-basedinvestigations.  Additional resources are used to provide further balloonand rocket payloads, Shuttle-based investigations, secondary payloads,and/or mission of opportunity investigations.  Selection from among theseadditional investigations will be based on science return,cost-effectiveness and overall programmatic balance.  Proposals submittedin response to this NRA may submit budgets for up to three years that areexpected to cover a complete suborbital investigation including payloadconstruction, launch phase, and data analysis.  An appropriate dataanalysis effort must be included as part of any flight program proposal.A confluence of factors has recently made it highly desirable to minimizethe operational costs to NASA for the preparation (payload integration andtest) and field operations (especially the need for campaigns and/orlaunches from remote or non-U.S. sites) for its suborbital programs.Investigators are, therefore,  strongly encouraged to proposeinvestigations that minimize these operational factors, especially withregard to payload complexity and nontraditional launch sites.  All thosewho intend to propose to the MITM program are strongly urged to discussprospective investigations with operations personnel at Wallops FlightFacility in order to ensure that probable operational costs are properlyanticipated.        7.2 Special Programmatic Issues**Support for extended data analysis.** Proposals for support for data analysisextending beyond the nominal three-year proposal must be submittedseparately to the appropriate SR&T program.**Reflight policy.**  The advantage of the quick, relatively inexpensive accessto space provided by this suborbital program also carries an element ofrisk.  NASA does not guarantee a reflight opportunity for an investigationthat fails regardless of the cause of the failure.  Although it can be costeffective to refly payloads that have been recovered after some types offlight failure, decisions on reflight must take into account current MITMscience priorities and budgets as well as operational support capabilities.Investigators wishing to request reflight of unsuccessful experiments mustsubmit new proposals.**Add-on instruments**.  MITM proposals are initially selected as comprehensivescientific investigations.  The proposal to add an instrument to an ongoingprogram, whether provided by the selected investigation team or by someoneoutside of that team, must demonstrate that it is important to thecompletion of the scientific goals of the original proposal.  Requests toexpand payload scope beyond the original proposal will require furtherreview of the project.**Launch Voucher Demonstration (LVD) Program.**  Congress has directed NASA totest the validity of allowing the private sector to provide launch servicesfor a representative sample of the sounding rocket payloads launched fromWhite Sands Missile Range (WSMR).  The NASA launch demonstration programwill provide a "voucher" to each of a small number (up to about five) ofselected suborbital rocket investigators to enable them to solicit andprocure launch services directly from the private sector.NASA offers the opportunity to participate in this LVD program to theproposers for the MITM Suborbital program through this NRA.  Proposersshould indicate their interest in participation in the LVD program on theCover Sheet, page C-2 (Appendix C).  Volunteering to consider suchA-17participation will not be binding on the proposer, nor will it influencethe selection process.  Participants in the LVD will not be providedadditional financial resources for payload development.  Questions aboutthe LVD program should be directed to:        Mr. Paul DeMinco        Manager, Suborbital Programs        Mission and Payload Development Division        Code SD        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC  20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-0887.                Fax:            202-358-3987                E-mail:         [email protected]**Sounding Rocket Launch Sites.**  The two standard U.S. launch sites forsounding rockets are White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, andWallops Island, Virginia.  Although launches from Poker Flat Rocket Range(PFRR) in Alaska require support from mobile launch crews, they do notrequire separate campaign proposals.  However, prospective proposers shouldbe aware that current plans call for the closing of PFRR in alternate yearsbeginning with the winter season 1995-96.Prospective investigators should also be aware that  NASA sounding rocketflights from WSMR require the payment by NASA of significant fees. Whilethe current operations budget contains sufficient funds to support a smallnumber of flights from WSMR every year, it is difficult to accommodateinvestigations with extended launch windows at WSMR.In addition to flights from WSMR, Wallops Island, and PFRR, the MITMprogram has historically been able to support up to one campaign per yearconsisting of a series of rockets flown  from a common but nonstandardlaunch location.  Campaigns are usually planned several years in advance.Those presently scheduled are for PFRR during the winter 1996-97;  forSvalbard in the winter of 1997-98; and for Puerto Rico in the fall of1997.In proposing for a campaign, the following protocol must be followed:-  A  Campaign Scientist should submit a "Campaign Summary" proposaldescribing the overall effort and listing prospective investigations.  Thefollowing issues must also be addressed: the rationale for requesting theproposed launch site, the desired launch time, and/or other special launchconditions (moon-down, night time, etc.); any expected foreign involvement;required ground and/or airplane support ; any other information thatdefines the overall scope of the proposed campaign; and an overall costbudget.-  Each investigator who wishes to participate in a campaign must submit aseparate investigation proposal, each of which will be independentlyreviewed.  Clear cross-reference must be made to the Campaign proposal onthe Cover Sheet page C-2 (Appendix C).**Proposals from Multiple Institutions.**  Proposals to the MITM program ofteninvolve the development of payloads which require collaboration amongseveral institutions. In such cases the lead PI may propose a directsubcontracting arrangement between the PI institution and the Co-Iinstitutions.  To avoid the payment of multiple overhead fees, however,NASA prefers to provide separate awards to each institution involved insuch multiinstitutional investigations, with a "Lead Co-I" from eachCo-Investigator institution serving as the "Institutional PI" for the awardto that institution.   The following guidance applies to MITM proposalsinvolving such separately funded contributions from multiple institutions.A-18-  Only the primary proposal for the overall investigation, submitted bythe lead PI, will be reviewed.  This primary proposal must include the leadPI's work statement (in the page limit noted in Section 5.3) and budget,followed by short task statements and budgets (not counted in the pagelimit) from all other collaborating Co-I institutions.  The proposal coversheet  (Cover Sheet  C-3) of the leading proposal must show separately thedollar amounts requested by the leading institution and each Co-Iinstitution, plus the yearly total requests for the total investigation.-  The appended task statement(s) from Co-I collaborating institution(s),not to exceed five pages, must describe that institution's contribution tothe investigation, the roles of the Co-I'(s) at that institution (if more than one, a single Lead Co-I for that institution must be chosen), and a summary budget for the task following the format of page C-5 in Appendix C.        -  Each Co-I institution must additionally submit a full formal,signed proposal incorporating the task statement noted above, allprefatory materials indicated in Appendix C, and a full institutionalbudget.  Such Co-I proposals must be clearly cross-referenced on theCover sheet  to the lead PI proposal and must have the same title as the PIproposal.        7.3  Funding GuidelinesMITM program proposals selected under this NRA will be phased into theprogram as rapidly as resources permit.  As a rule, new investigations areawarded definition-level funding in their first year, full funding fordevelopment in their second year, leading to flight early in their thirdyear, which concludes with data analysis.  Total funding in this programhas been about $4 M per year; annual funding levels have averaged $200 Kper investigation and $130 K per individual investigator.  Of the 19investigations currently being funded, five will end in FY 1996.        7.4  General InformationQuestions concerning this program should be addressed to:        Dr. Mary Mellott        Suborbital MITM Physics Program        Research Program Management Division        Code SR        NASA Headquarters        Washington, DC  20546-0001                Telephone:      202-358-0893.                Fax:            202-358-3097                E-mail:         [email protected]A-19This is the1453rdaccess to this page.Responsible Webpage Official:  Jim Willett
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