Subject: CALL: NASA Research Announcement - Plant Research

From: [email-masked] (Keith L. Cowing)
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 1995 11:54:39 -0500

The following NASA Research Announcement has been distributed 
by mail (1/26/95) to a standard NASA distribution list.  The 
NRA can be obtained by contacting the NASA officials listed 
below.  At some point soon, you should be able to download 
the entire NRA from either:

       http://www.hq.nasa.gov/

or from the NASA/OLMSA Life and Biomedical Science and 
Applications (LBSAD) BSAD Gopher:

       gopher://lifegopher.hq.nasa.gov/

NOTE: An update for more specific details regarding download 
sites will be posted, if necessary.

++++++++++++++

Excerpt from:

NASA OMB Approval No. 2700-0042
NRA 95 OLMSA-02
NASA Research Announcement Soliciting Proposals for Plant 
Research Utilizing U.S. Space Shuttle Middeck and Russian 
Space Station Mir

Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Date NRA Issued:  January 26, 1995
Letters of Intent Due:    February 24, 1995
Proposals Due:  April 12, 1995

The Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
seeks proposals for research that supports three areas of 
emphasis in the Plant Space Biology Program: 1) the 
understanding of the role of gravity in the growth, 
development, structure, and function of plants; 2) the 
acquisition of scientific information to develop the 
technical base required for the construction and the use of a 
bioregenerative life support system to support crews in 
extraterrestrial environments; and 3) the utilization of 
gravity and microgravity to acquire knowledge for benefits on 
earth.  Space flight investigations conducted to date have 
shown that gravity affects the structure and function of 
plants at all levels (organismal, cellular, subcellular, and 
molecular).  How the processes are controlled, and the role 
gravity plays in them, remain largely unknown.  Although 
plant biology research concentrate upon achieving a 
fundamental scientific understanding of the effects of 
gravity upon plants, it is apparent that the knowledge gained 
will have practical application for environmental management, 
for enhanced production of food, medicine, clothing, and 
forest products on earth, and for the development of life 
support systems for space exploration.  Proposals may 
emphasize molecular, genetic, biochemical, physiological, and 
cellular analyses that aim to explain mechanisms underlying 
the effects of gravity and biochemical controls in plants.  
Other proposals may emphasize more applied research aimed at 
determining plant behavior under microgravity conditions and 
how plants may play a part in bioregenerative systems.  
Proposed research may involve the use of small land plants 
and/or their cells, protoplasts, tissues, organs and seeds.

This NASA Research announcement (NRA) provides an opportunity 
to conduct investigations on plants as a small payload flight 
experiment in he U.S. Space Shuttle middeck, or as a flight 
experiment on the Russian Space Station Mir.  Experiments can 
either be developed as "stand alone" flight experiments 
without ground research (but based upon a firm ground 
research foundation) or in combination with appropriate 
ground research.  Flight opportunities as a small payload 
flown on the U.S. Space Shuttle middeck in the Plant Growth 
Unit (PGU), the Plant Growth Facility (PGF), or in a passive 
container called the Biological Research Canisters (BRIC).  
Plants flown on the Mir will be maintained in the recently 
upgraded Russian growth unit, Svet.  Proposals to this NRA 
are for flight opportunities available from 1995-1997.

Participation in small payloads and Mir research for the 
Space Plant Biology program is open to all individuals and 
all categories of domestic and foreign organizations, 
industry, educational institutions, other nonprofit 
organizations, NASA laboratories, and other U.S. Governmental 
agencies.  Proposals which will enhance or complement the 
scientific return from research currently being supported by 
the National Science Foundation or other Government agencies 
are encouraged.  

A letter of Intent to Propose is requested by February 24, 
1995.  Proposals may be submitted at any time up to April 12, 
1995.  Proposals will be evaluated for scientific/technical 
value, programmatic relevance, implementation feasibility, 
the ability of the experiment to meet hardware and safety 
requirements, and the availability of funds.  Selection for 
flight definition (proposals selected for scientific merit, 
programmatic relevance and feasibility) will be made between 
May and July 1995.  The funding schedule for each selected 
experiment will be dependent on its particular flight 
assignment.

Submit proposal to:

     Dr. Tom Scott
     Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
     Code ULR
     NASA Headquarters
     Washington, DC 20564-0001

Copies required:  Twenty (20)

NASA Selecting official:

     Dr. Joan Vernikos
     Director, Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications   
     Division/ Code ULR
     NASA Headquarters
     Washington, DC 20564-0001

Proposals due:  April 12, 1995

Letters of Intent Due:  February 24, 1995

Foreign proposals: details within NRA

Obtain additional information about science objectives from:
     Dr. Tom Scott
     Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
     Code ULR
     NASA Headquarters
     Washington, DC 20546-0001
     Telephone: (202)-358-2359
     Fax: (202)-358-4168
     E-mail: [email-masked]

Obtain additional information about flight hardware and 
characteristics from:

Ms. Mayra Montrose
     Life and Biomedical Sciences and Applications Division
     Code ULF
     NASA Headquarters
     Washington, DC 20546-0001
     Telephone: (202)-358-2147
     Fax: (202)-358-4168