KY EPSCoR: FY21: NASA: Research Infrastructure Development Award (RID) State Match Scope Account - Match for 3200002377

Overview The proposed NASA Kentucky EPSCoR RID portfolio of awards and management efforts contribute to achieving NASA EPSCoR’s goal (NASA EPSCoR RFP, NNH18ZHA003C) to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally-competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research, contributing to the jurisdiction's economic viability and expanding the nation's base for aerospace research and development. A key factor in achieving this goal is initiation of relationships between Kentucky’s and NASA’s researchers that develop into partnerships. Every aspect of the proposed portfolio emphasizes the process of relationship-building. Derived from the stated goal and objectives in the NASA RFP, four specific objectives of the NASA Kentucky EPSCoR program reflect those of the NASA EPSCoR program: 1) to develop human research infrastructure in areas strategically important to NASA, 2) to gain support from non-EPSCoR sources, 3) to develop NASA Partnerships, and 4) to develop science, technology, higher education, and economic capacity. Research Infrastructure Development (RID) Program Elements The centerpieces of the NASA KY EPSCoR RID Program are the Research Infrastructure Development Grants (RIDG) competitively awarded to faculty and up to $50,000 for one year. Proposals must include a letter of collaboration from a NASA collaborator based on prior interactions. Proposals must describe a schedule for regular contact with their NASA collaborator and plans for a visit to the NASA site. Funded research activities should result in submission of a joint publication to a conference or journal. To establish initial connections with NASA and develop interdisciplinary research teams, faculty will submit proposals for Workshop/Conference/Seminar awards (WCS). Workshop funding up to $2,000 builds Kentucky and NASA partnerships to develop interdisciplinary teams interested in pursuing the three year EPSCoR Research Area or other nationally competitive solicitations. Conference funding up to $2,000 provides partial support for a local, regional, national or international meeting hosted in Kentucky focused on NASA related research. Seminar funding up to $2,000 supports a series of seminars or webinars on an aerospace topic. Faculty Travel awards of $800 to $1400 per trip (depending on NASA site) are awarded with the objective of developing new relationships with NASA. Individual travel awards are awarded to individual researchers after review of application including NASA invitation. Enabling new-to-NASA PIs to make initial contact will enable successful submissions for RIDG awards; allowing RIDG PIs to expand their network will prepare them for subsequent RA submissions. Management and Matching Management effort for reporting, tracking and communicating the NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Programs is included in the proposal, along with full F&A on the NASA support. State matching provided by the Statewide EPSCoR Committee via the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) is also included (without F&A allowed per the letter included in the budget justification) supporting additional awards in the RIDG category.