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| Announcements of Opportunity |
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Physical Science in Space
Released September 20, 2004
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is pleased to announce opportunities for Canadian researchers to participate in a
physical science in space research program. Proposals are invited to investigate experimental concepts, to perform small-scale investigations or conduct preliminary experiments. Specifically, research should be aimed at addressing the objectives of the Physical Sciences program, which are:
- To use the unique environment of space to explore the laws of physics and chemistry and better understand physical and chemical processes.
- To better understand and predict how physical and chemical systems behave in the environment of space.
- To obtain knowledge and develop technology to improve life on Earth and produce safer space travel.
Please read the instructions concerning proposals carefully
as there are several changes from previous Microgravity Sciences Announcements of Opportunity.
Information on past experiments conducted in the physical sciences can be found using the useful links posted below.
Areas of interest and eligibility
The Canadian Space Agency will accept proposals in the following areas of interest:
- Material sciences (Properties and Processing)
- Fluid and combustion sciences
- Biotechnology
- Nanoscience
- Bioengineering
This opportunity is open to researchers from academia and industry in Canada. Academia includes universities, hospitals and non-governmental research institutes. Applications from other government departments will be considered provided that a mutually beneficial collaboration can be established between the Canadian Space Agency and the investigator's department.
Type of study
In order to ensure that the Canadian Space Agency
champions the best science, we support concept studies and feasibility studies to develop an internationally competitive research program.
Concept studies acquire important background information that paves the way to or strengthens a flight study. In addition, they may be designed to test whether there is a gravity or space component to a particular chemical or physical phenomenon or whether the free-fall environment is an appropriate environment for specific physical science experiments.
Feasibility studies are the bridge between concept and
space-flight studies. They often involve experiments conducted in
microgravity, space analogues or simulations. Feasibility studies should test whether a specific question should be addressed in space. Researchers may propose the use of simulations or analogues that are considered to be a ground facility,
such as parabolic flights, drop towers.
While there is no space-flight component to these studies, all proposals must demonstrate a direct relationship
with the use of space to answer critical scientific questions in one of the eligible areas of interest
listed. Experiments that use the space shuttle, space
station or other space access are addressed in Announcements of Opportunity for Flight Experiments that are periodically issued by the Canadian Space Agency.
Duration and budgetary guidelines
Financial support is available, up to $75,000 (inclusive of all costs such as overhead, equipment, etc.) annually for a maximum of four
years. Note that the project length may be up to four years, but the duration proposed must be appropriate for the work proposed.
Equipment may be included, if it is essential to the project, and may not exceed $50,000 for the duration of the contract. At the end of the contract, ownership of any purchased equipment will revert to the Crown.
Investigators from universities may not include personal salary support in the budget although support for other personnel is permitted, and support for students and young researchers such as post-doctoral fellows is encouraged. The funding of graduate students under this Announcement of Opportunity will be permitted only if their supervisors provide a written guarantee that the student will be provided with the continuous support necessary to complete their graduate studies
Deadlines
Letter of intent
To facilitate processing of the proposals, potential
principal investigators of concept or feasibility studies are requested to send a letter of intent to propose, confirming plans to submit a proposal. Although the letter of intent is not essential, it is to the proposer's benefit, as the information will be used in the organization of peer-review panels. Please note that the letter of intent is not binding but should be received by October 20, 2004. The letter should be no more than two
pages and indicate
- the name, address, and telephone number of the
principal investigator and all co-investigators of the concept or feasibility
study
- the area of focus of the research and whether a concept study or feasibility study is being
proposed
- a descriptive title of the research
- a brief summary describing the proposed research
- the major participating institutions
- up to six key words that best describe the research area of the pending proposal
- three reviewers may be suggested
Letters of intent must be submitted electronically via e-mail to the following address: microgravity@space.gc.ca. The subject heading of the e-mail message should read
Physical Sciences AO 2004 #1.
Proposal Preparation Guidelines
Proposal Format
- Proposals should be prepared in 8.5" x 11" format with minimum 2 cm borders and 12 pt type.
- The name of the principal investigator should appear on the upper right-hand corner of each page of the proposal.
- Proposals may be submitted in either English or French.
- Electronic submissions: PDF, MS Word, or ASCII documents are required.
A single pdf file would be appreciated. Submission can be either as mail attachments or via ftp. For e-mail submissions, or for questions relating to electronic submission, please use: microgravity@space.gc.ca. Please allow three business days for response to these emails. In addition, four paper copies, including all elements such as figures and personal data forms, and containing all original signatures,
are also required. All submissions must arrive by the proposal deadline.
Proposal Elements
- Cover pages and application form – Use the form provided in Appendix A-1. One paper copy must have original signatures.
- Proposal abstract – 250 words maximum.
- Lay summary – A 250-word description of the proposal in lay terms that can be used to explain the project to the public.
- Relevance to physical science in space (one page maximum) –
Indicate the area of focus addressed and whether the proposal is a concept study or feasibility study. Address specifically the relevance
to space of the proposed research.
- Experiment proposal (8 page maximum) –
Describe the proposed study and include:
- concise review of pertinent literature
- research objectives
- hypothesis
- experimental design, theoretical approach and development, and/or numerical approach and development
- analysis of design (identify alternate course of action if first hypothesis requires modification)
- timeline including schedule and milestones
- references (not included in the page count for this section).
- Facilities and equipment – Include detailed information for
both the equipment and facilities available to the investigators for the project,
and the equipment and facilities requested by the investigators for the project in the budget
plan—one page, maximum.
- Budget plan – The budget plan should cover the entire proposal. Use the form provided in Appendix A-2. Justify specific items as needed.
- NSERC Personal Data form – A completed Personal Data Form 100 (http://www.nserc.ca/forms/pdf/F100_e.pdf) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Counsel of Canada (NSERC) should be provided for all research personnel.
Proposal submission
Both electronic transmission and four paper copies including original signatures are required. All submissions must be received by
4:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2004. Late proposals will not be considered.
All paper copies of proposals must be addressed to
Dr. Nicole Buckley
Director, Life and Physical Sciences
Canadian Space Agency
REF: AO PS 2004-1
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9
Evaluation
The evaluation of each proposal will involve three separate components:
- Acknowledgement of receipt of complete proposal
Each research proposal submitted to the CSA will be reviewed to ensure that it is complete as per the guidelines above. Proposals that do not meet the guidelines will be immediately returned to the proposer. Therefore it is recommended to communicate with the CSA if there are any questions or doubts regarding acceptability of a proposal.
- Merit review
An external peer-review panel will evaluate the scientific merit of each proposal. All panels will use the same factors in their evaluation and all panel meetings will be conducted using the same review guidelines. The review criteria for the concept or feasibility research studies include scientific excellence, the need for reduced-gravity conditions
(free-fall environment), the significance of the science,
the research approach, innovation, personnel, and research institutional environment. To
ensure that funded proposals provide maximum benefit to Canadians, the final review panel will, in addition to scientific merit, consider the following:
- Science-team strengths
- Relevance or requirement of the space
environment
- Terrestrial application and benefits
- Efficiency and effectiveness
- Opportunities for students and young researchers
- Evaluation of programmatic relevance and cost
The cost and duration of the proposed study will be examined to ensure it is reasonable for the research described. Evaluation of the cost of a proposed effort includes consideration of the reasonableness of the proposed cost and the relationship of the proposed cost to available funds. Finally, the CSA will determine the relevance of each competitive proposal to its specific program objectives and those of the Canadian Space Agency.
Distribution of this
Announcement of Opportunity
This Announcement of Opportunity is being released to the
Space Physical Science Community only in electronic form. It would thus be appreciated if it could be widely distributed by all recipients to colleagues and other potentially interested parties.
A paper copy of this document is also available by e-mail
request sent to microgravity@space.gc.ca,
or by faxed request to (450) 926-4766.
Contract clauses and deliverables
Due to the research and development nature of the proposed work, any resultant contract which may result from this
Announcement of Opportunity (AO) will be subject to the most recent General Conditions for Research and Development DSS
– MAS 9624 (note, Employment Equity only applies to requirements over $200K). Submission of a proposal acknowledges the Bidder's agreement with the application of the DSS-MAS 9624 General Conditions – Research and Development to the contract work. Any resultant contract will be negotiated and issued through Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
Any contract resulting from this AO will contain a clause pertaining to communications/public affairs defining contractor responsibilities and authorities.
CSA retains the right to make primary contract announcements. Any subsequent contract-related announcements will be undertaken in cooperation with
CSA, and subject to CSA approval.
Note that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) do not apply to this solicitation since the CSA in an exempt entity.
All contracts resulting from this Announcement of Opportunity shall include at least the following deliverables:
- Three quarterly reports and one Annual Progress Report per year
(five paper copies).
- Final report (five paper copies and one electronic copy).
In addition, although the following cannot logistically be included as contract deliverables, the Canadian Space Agency requests the receipt of the following, whether they occur during the term of the contract/study, or after its completion:
- Copy of scientific papers subsequently published in peer-reviewed journals that may result from work done under this
contract
- Description of awards resulting in whole or in part from work conducted under this
contract
- Names of persons receiving post-graduate degrees using results in whole or in part conducted under this contract, and type of
degree
Background and other information is available from:
Dr. Marcus Dejmek
Program Scientist, Space Physical Sciences
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9
Tel.: 450 926-4800
E-mail: microgravity@space.gc.ca
Links of interest
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