NASA’s aeronautics, human exploration, science, space technology Mission Directorates, as well as the Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement (OSE), depend on NASA Research and Education Support Services (NRESS) to facilitate peer review program management on behalf of the Agency’s basic and applied research, technology development, and STEM engagement programs.
NASA funds intramural and extramural research and technology development, along with competitive STEM engagement program opportunities, primarily through solicited, peer-reviewed1 proposals that result in grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or intergovernmental agreements. Solicitation mechanisms include NASA Research Announcements (NRAs), Announcements of Opportunity (AOs), and Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs). NASA also accepts and considers a small number of unsolicited proposals each year.
The life-cycle of the Agency’s peer review program, for purposes of NRESS requirements, consists of the following general processes: (1) development and solicitation of proposals, including related outreach and engagement programs in support of research; (2) proposal review; and (3) disposition of proposals following proposal review and prior to award. All decisions about proposals selected for award are made by NASA selection officials and all awards are made by authorized NASA procurement and federal assistance personnel with appropriate warrants.
Peer review processes and methods differ among the Mission Directorates. Large or small panels, subpanels, mail-in reviews, permanent committees or one-time panels are all features of the NASA peer review program. Peer review events occasionally are conducted via teleconference; peer review events are customarily conducted as face-to-face panel meetings. Panels usually consist of seven-to-ten individuals. Rarely a large panel might consist of as many as 40 individuals. Student and engagement related research efforts may involve participation in conferences or similar events. Despite the variations, NASA peer review processes and methods have evolved over time to meet the predictable, repeatable preferences of their respective Mission Directorate communities.
Despite variations in methods and approach all NASA peer review program activities enforce a common Agency-wide standard that peer review planning activities, events, deliberations, recommendations, and documentation shall remain confidential and free from conflicts of interest. NASA is committed to accomplishing timely peer reviews consistent with NASA’s goal of 240 days or less for the entire solicitation to award process. NASA is also committed to proposer, reviewer, and panelist diversity.
The NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES), a web-based information technology system, including software, enables NASA program officers or other officials, as well as contractor support personnel, to post research announcements or opportunities. NSPIRES enables intramural and extramural researchers and other stakeholders to view announcements and submit proposals. NSPIRES is designed and maintained to support solicitation of opportunities, proposal review, analysis, and evaluation, as well as proposal disposition. Refer to http://nspires.nasaprs.com for an orientation to the NSPIRES system. NSPIRES also interfaces with the Federal e-government system, grants.gov.
