State Match for NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Dev 2013-2015

NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) 2013-2015 Overview The Kentucky Statewide EPSCoR Program’s mission is to enhance the research and intellectual capacity of universities and colleges by building and coordinating strategic investments in human capital necessary for Kentucky to excel in federal R&D funding competitiveness. Derived from this statewide mission, NASA Kentucky EPSCoR has goals to enhance capacity through strategic investments focused on NASA-priority research areas and competitiveness for non-EPSCoR NASA funding. A key factor in achieving these goals 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 these goals, five 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, 4) to develop science, technology and economic capacity, and 5) to coordinate with and compliment (but not augment) the NASA Kentucky Space Grant programs. 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 ranging from $25,000/yr-$40,000/yr 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 $3,000 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 $3,000 provides partial support for a local, regional, national or international meeting hosted in Kentucky focused on NASA related research. Seminar funding up to $3,000 supports a series of seminars or webinars on an aerospace topic. Augmentation Travel awards (AT) of $5,000 per project will be given with the objective of developing new relationships with NASA to the current RIDG teams. Individual travel awards will be offered to additional researchers. Travel funds will be provided for the PIs to visit a different NASA Center and/or conferences in order to broaden their partnerships. Based on analysis the EPSCoR RAs awarded to KY, it is necessary to have multiple NASA connections to be competitive nationally. Requiring the RIDG PIs to expand their network will prepare them for RA submissions over the next few years. Further, Kentucky researchers will be specifically encouraged to become familiar with Office of the Chief Technologist funding opportunities and meet with the OCT/S at the Centers visited. 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 is also included (without F&A allowed) supporting additional awards in the RIDG category.