NASA Releases Call For Phase II Visionary Advanced Concepts

April 25, 2012

Sonja Alexander
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1761
sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 12-137

NASA RELEASES CALL FOR PHASE II VISIONARY ADVANCED CONCEPTS

WASHINGTON -- The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program is
seeking proposals to continue promising studies for which it has
supported the first phase. These cutting-edge concepts have the
potential to transform future exploration missions, enable new
capabilities, or significantly alter current approaches to launching,
building, and operating aerospace systems.

"These transformative concepts have the potential to mature into the
new capabilities NASA needs for the challenging space missions in its
future," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology
Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

NIAC projects are chosen based on their character as innovative and
visionary, technically substantiated, and very early in development
-- 10 years or more from use in a mission. NIAC's current diverse
portfolio represents multiple technology areas, including power,
propulsion, structures, and avionics.

"We are thrilled to be launching Phase II, so the 2012 NIAC portfolio
can feature the most exciting combination of new ideas and continued
development," said Jay Falker, NIAC program executive at NASA
Headquarters.

The call for proposals follows last summer's inaugural selection of
Phase I concepts, which are now under study. NIAC will be accepting
proposals of no more than 20 pages until June 6.

NASA expects to fund between five and nine Phase II studies this year.
The number of awards will depend on the strength of proposals and
availability of appropriated funds. Awardees will receive up to
$500,000 over two years to further analyze and develop their
innovative concepts and help create new avenues for future NASA
missions.

Selection announcements are expected in August. This limited
solicitation is only for continuing NIAC Phase I concepts. Phase II
proposals are eligible based on any current Phase I studies, or any
prior Phase I studies from the original NASA Institute for Advanced
Concepts that did not complete Phase II.

NASA's early investment and partnership with creative scientists,
engineers and citizen inventors from across the nation will pay huge
technological dividends and help maintain America's leadership in the
global technology economy. NIAC is part of NASA's Space Technology
Program, managed by the Office of the Chief Technologist. To view
this research announcement and for more information about NIAC and
NASA's Space Technology Program, visit:


http://go.usa.gov/R1N


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