Iowa Space Grant Consortium
Drake University • Iowa State University • University of Iowa • University of Northern Iowa
Ramanathan Sugumaran, Ph.D., Director • University of Northern Iowa
219 Innovative Teaching & Technology Center • Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0406 • E-mail: sugu@uni.edu
Consortium Office: 515-294-3106 • Fax: 515-294-1047 • E-mail: isgc@iastate.edu • www.iaspacegrant.org/
ISGC Curriculum Development Program
Request for Proposals – July 18, 2011
Background
The NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC), www.iaspacegrant.org/ intends to provide funds
through ISGC Curriculum Development program to develop or utilize new/innovative approaches to
improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and instruction in a
university or community college setting through project based course development, capstone courses,
curriculum or course re-design. It should utilize NASA-related content or emerging NASA
developed technology (see page three for NASA directorates and centers information). These courses
should be part of the regular academic program in higher education institutions or community
colleges. Such courses should provide experiences that will equip the future STEM workforce for
careers in aerospace or related industries.
Eligibility, Amount of Award, and Duration
All faculty at universities, colleges, and community colleges who are members of the ISGC are
eligible to apply. The ISGC encourages proposals from females, members of underrepresented
minority groups, and persons with disabilities. Submission is limited to one proposal per investigator.
The ISGC anticipates making two to four awards with the maximum single award of up to $4,000 for
a one year period of performance (January 1, 2012 –July 31, 2012), contingent upon ISGC budget
approval and receipt of NASA funding. A shorter duration, depending on the project, may be
proposed (e.g. summer course). All deadlines must be met. No extensions or renewals will be
considered if all proposed deadlines and timetables have not been reasonably met. A final report is
required at the conclusion of the award that includes an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness
relative to the proposed objectives and other standard ISGC and NASA requirements.
Proposal Content
A. Project Description (three pages maximum – single-spaced, minimum 10 pt. font size) that
should at least include: 1) background, 2) goal and objective of the project, 3) implementation
strategy or scientific method, evaluation plan, dissemination plan, sustainability plan,
management plan, and timetable, 4) long term benefits, and 5) key personnel.
B. Budget and budget explanations
C. Matching fund commitment letter from Authorized Fiscal Agent
D. Course approval from Head/Chair of the department
E. Résumés of individuals involved in project (one page maximum per person)
Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their ideas with Dr. Charisse Buising
(charisse.buising@drake.edu), ISGC Associate Director for Research, or Dr. Ramanathan Sugumaran
(sugu@uni.edu), ISGC Director, to see if their ideas fall within the scope of this opportunity.
Drake Campus Coordinator:
ISU Campus Coordinator:
U of I Campus Coordinator:
UNI Campus Coordinator:
Dr. Keith S. Summerville
131 Olin Hall, 1344 27th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 271-2265 FAX: (515) 271-3028
E-mail: keith.summerville@drake.edu
Dr. Amy L. Kaleita
205 Davidson Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-3080
515-294-5167 FAX: 515-294-2552
E-mail: kaleita@iastate.edu
Dr. P. Barry Butler
111 Jessup Hall
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316
(319) 335-3565 FAX: (319) 335-3560
E-mail: patrick-butler@uiowa.edu
Dr. Joel K. Haack
Communication Arts Center 266
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0181
319-273-2725 FAX: 319-273-2731
E-mail: joel.haack@uni.edu
ISGC Curriculum Development Program - Request for Proposals
Page Two
July 18, 2011
Criteria for Evaluation
Proposals will be reviewed by a scientifically literate panel of individuals who may not necessarily
be experts in the proposed area. After the recommendations of the peer reviewers, the ISGC directors
will make the final decision on proposal funding. The following areas will be considered in the
evaluation of the proposal:
Criteria
Educational merit
NASA Relevance
Management
Evaluation
Budget
Topics
Scientific, technical, and educational merit of the proposed
project.
%
20%
The degree to which this proposal is relevant to the engineering,
science, or mathematics curriculum.
The degree to which this proposal is relevant to NASA’s Mission
Directorates.
Competency of the proposers to carry out the plan and achieve
the stated goals.
10%
Potential of the project to increase undergraduate retention and
achievement, particularly for women and underrepresented
groups.
Plan for evaluation of the course developed or re-designed
Adequacy and appropriateness of the budget to carry out the
project, including institutional contributions or other matching
funds.
Total
20%
10%
10%
10%
20%
100%
Budget
Funds may be used to support faculty or staff release time, graduate and undergraduate student
support, or travel related to the course. Supplies and materials: Include a description of how
these funds will be used. If educational supplies or software will be purchased, list items,
describe the need for the item and how it supports the program goals. Funds may not be used to
support tuition. All individuals (faculty, staff, and students) receiving NASA funds must be U.S.
citizens. Equipment purchases, purchase of food, foreign travel, and non-citizen support are not
permitted on the NASA funds. Proposing institutions are required to provide 100% costmatching (1:1) using non-federal funds. No indirect will be paid on NASA funds. Budget and
justification should explain, in itemized detail, the ISGC amount requested and matching dollars.
Submission Procedure and Schedule
Proposal is due to the ISGC office (isgc@iastate.edu) via electronic submission (PDF for
proposals and excel spreadsheet for data summary) by 4:00 p.m. on September 2, 2011. Pending
receipt of annual NASA funding, final selection will be announced by September 16, 2011 with
funding beginning no earlier than Spring 2012 for the winning proposal.
ISGC Curriculum Development Program - Request for Proposals
Page Three
July 18, 2011
Information about NASA Directorates and Centers
More information about NASA Mission Directorates can be found at:
• Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate: http://www.aerospace.nasa.gov
• Science Mission Directorate: http://science.hq.nasa.gov
• Exploration Systems Mission Directorate: http://exploration.nasa.gov
• Space Operations Mission Directorate: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/
More information about NASA Field Centers and Facilities can be found at:
• NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/home/index.html
• Ames Research Center, CA: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/index.html
• Dryden Flight Research Center, CA:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html
• Glenn Research Center, OH: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/home/index.html
• Goddard Space Flight Center, MD:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory, CA: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/jpl/home/index.html
• Johnson Space Center, TX: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html
• Kennedy Space Center, FL: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html
• Langley Research Center, VA: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/home/index.html
• Marshall Space Flight Center, AL:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/home/index.html
• Stennis Space Center, MS: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/home/index.html
• NASA IV&V Facility, WV: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ivv/home/index.html
• Goddard Institute for Space Science, NY: http://www.giss.nasa.gov/
• Wallops Flight Facility, VA http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home/index.html
• White Sands Test Facility, NM: http://www.wstf.nasa.gov/