NSBRI Soliciting For Research Proposals to Support Crew Health and Performance During Space Exploration Missions

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is soliciting for ground-based and analog definition research proposals to develop safe and effective countermeasures and technologies that will reduce the significant biomedical risks associated with human space travel. These discoveries will not only enable safe and productive human spaceflight, but will also have the potential to improve life on Earth. The Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) announcement entitled “Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions” was released jointly with NASA’s Human Research Program on July 31, 2014.

This NSBRI research announcement, (NRA) may be viewed at http://www.nsbri.org under the Funding Opportunities menu, within the Current Announcements section. The NRA is also available via the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by navigating through the menu listings “Solicitations” to “Open Solicitations.” On the Open Solicitations page, researchers should select “NNJ14ZSA001N” from the list of solicitations and then choose “Appendix B.”

NSBRI is soliciting for research proposals to augment the project portfolios of its Cardiovascular Alterations, Human Factors and Performance, Musculoskeletal Alterations, Neurobehavioral and Psychosocial Factors, Sensorimotor Adaptation, and Smart Medical Systems & Technology scientific research teams. Research topics include visual impairment observed in U.S. astronauts. The specific research topics are:

Cardiovascular Alterations

Develop and Validate “Early” Biomarkers to Detect Asymptomatic Cardiovascular Disease.

Human Factors and Performance

Measure and Model the Level of Crew Member Trust of Automation During Autonomous Operations, and Develop Adaptive Technology Countermeasures To Mitigate Situational Stressors.

Musculoskeletal Alterations

Characterize Genetic Mosaicism in Muscle and Bone Tissues of Rodents Exposed to Simulated Space Radiation and Microgravity.

Neurobehavioral and Psychosocial Factors

Test Countermeasures for Space-Radiation Induced Neurobehavioral Deficits.

Detect and Optimize Stress in Astronauts or Astronaut-like Subjects Prior to Mission.

Sensorimotor Adaptations

Commission a Task Force of World Experts to Characterize Sensorimotor and Neurocognitive Effects Associated with the Spaceflight-Induced Intracranial Hypertension/Vision Alterations (VIIP) Syndrome; and based on these Findings, Propose Alternative Hypotheses To Illuminate the Cause(s) of VIIP.

Smart Medical Systems and Technology

Define and Validate Mechanical Countermeasures for Microgravity-Associated Cephalad Fluid Shifts.

Proposals solicited in response to this NSBRI research announcement will follow a two-step review process. Only Step-1 proposers determined to have proposed work that is relevant to the specific topics solicited by this research announcement will be invited to submit full Step-2 proposals. Step-1 proposals are due on September 4, 2014, and invited Step-2 proposals are due on December 3, 2014. Participation is open to all categories of U.S. based organizations, including educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other Government agencies. Both Step-1 and Step-2 proposals must be submitted electronically via NSPIRES.

About NSBRI

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute, NSBRI, is a 501(c)3 organization funded by NASA. Its mission is to lead a national program to mitigate the health risks related to human spaceflight and to apply the discoveries to improve life on Earth. Annually, the Institute’s science, technology and education projects take place at approximately 60 institutions and companies across the United States.