Summary

The New Investigators Program is designed to strengthen North Carolina’s research infrastructure by providing startup funding to NC Space Grant university personnel who are conducting research that is directly aligned with NASA’s mission. NASA’s research interests embrace a wide range of science, engineering, computational and other disciplines. This opportunity is available to those who have yet to become established researchers. Awardees must be tenure track faculty who are within the first five years of their academic careers.

NC Space Grant anticipates making 4 to 5 awards of up to $15,000 with a period of performance of 12 months (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013). Awards require a 50% cost-match of non-federal funds to awarded funds. In other words, if $15,000 is requested from the NC Space Grant, then $7,500 must be provided as cost-match. Note that indirect costs may not be charged for this award; however, they may be included as un-recovered IDC costs as part of the match requirement.

Eligibility

The competition is open to tenure track faculty at active NC Space Grant Affiliate member institutions. Awardees must be in the first five years of their academic career, be qualified to serve as a principal investigator at their respective institution, and be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents, foreign nationals and resident aliens may apply for funding but with budget restrictions (see Section IV.E.). Any student(s) supported with award funds must also be a U.S. citizen(s).

NC Space Grant encourages proposals from females, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities. Submission is limited to one proposal per investigator; an investigator may receive only one NC Space Grant New Investigators Program award in his/her academic career.

Time Line

	Program Announcement		Download PDF Announcement
	Proposal Submission and Deadline	Dec 15, 2011 - Feb 24, 2012
	Original Hardcopy Submission and Deadline	The original proposal with all required signatures must arrive at NC Space Grant by March 1, 2012. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered. Hard copy submissions should be sent via FedEx or UPS to: Dr. Chris Brown, Director North Carolina Space Grant NCSU - Engineering Building III 911 Oval Drive, Room 3002 Raleigh, NC 27606
	Expected Award Announcement	April 15, 2012
	Awards Begin	July 1, 2012*
		*contingent upon NC Space Grant receipt of NASA funding

Previous Faculty Award Recipients: 03-04 | 04-05 | 05-06 | 06-07 | 07-08 | 08-09 | 09-10 | 10-11 | 11-12