Request for Proposals

Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program

NASA EPSCoR Basic Research FY 2027

KS NASA EPSCoR Program FY 2027 Basic Research RFP – Released October 30, 2026 Page 1 of 3

NASA proposals due date: Feb 1, 2027

KNEP Proposal Due: Noon on December 2

, 2026 (CT)

The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program (KNEP) is seeking proposals for eventual submission to the NASA EPSCoR Basic

Research FY 2027 funding opportunity. This research opportunity includes up to $750,000 in funding for three years. Cost

Share is required at a level of at least 50% of the requested NASA funds. Cost share must comply with 2 CFR 200.306 and

generally must come from non‑federal sources unless a federal source explicitly permits its funds to be used as match. In-

kind Cost Sharing is allowable, but NASA encourages proposers “to consider methods that would add value to the

jurisdiction's existing research capabilities.”

The NASA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released October 27, 2026, and is available on NASA’s NSPIRES

website, https://nspires.nasaprs.com.

As outlined in the NOFO, the research efforts must:

 “Enhance research capability and foster partnerships among NASA, academia, and industry in EPSCoR

jurisdictions” (i.e. Kansas)

 “Develop research capacity in areas of strategic importance to NASA”,

 “Contribute to jurisdictional” (i.e. Kansas) “workforce and economic development for national aerospace

competitiveness”,

 “Support research aligned with NASA Mission Directorates and Centers”,

 “Foster partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions, and industry”,

 “Improve the capabilities of the NASA EPSCoR jurisdictions (i.e. Kansas) to gain support from sources outside the

NASA EPSCoR programs.”

 Support NASA’s “Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM Goals):” as outlined in the NOFO

 Support “National Priorities” as outlined in the NOFO.

Interested investigators shall submit proposals directly to KNEP (not NASA). To allow sufficient time for review and

selection of the proposals prior to the holiday break and to give the selected proposers sufficient time to complete the formal

NASA application package (accounting for the holiday shutdowns), the KNEP due date for proposals will be noon on

December 2

, 2026 (CT). Only two proposals may be submitted to NASA per jurisdiction. Following in-state reviews,

KNEP will recommend two (2) proposals for final preparation and submission to NASA.

KNEP selection is competitive and will be based on the application evaluation criteria outlined in the NOFO as well as

alignment to the Kansas Science and Technology plan. KNEP selection is done via a review committee containing at least

three research faculty/staff from KNEP institutions. Be sure to address fundamental EPSCoR objectives (e.g., enhance

NASA-aligned research capabilities, respond to NASA priorities, support economic development, build national

competitiveness, support NASA-aligned research, foster partnerships, improve Kansas capabilities, etc.). NASA’s Research

Focus Areas may be accessed at EPSCoR Research Focus Areas - NASA

Submit a single proposal document in PDF format (less than 3-MB in size) via email to NASA in Kansas

(nasainkansas@wichita.edu ) and Pierre Harter (pierre.harter@idp.wichita.edu ), by noon on December 2

, 2026 (CT).

Please feel free to email Pierre Harter (pierre.harter@wichita.edu ), or NASA in Kansas (nasainkansas@wichita.edu ) with

any questions.

Request for Proposals

Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program

NASA EPSCoR Basic Research FY 2027

KS NASA EPSCoR Program FY 2027 Basic Research RFP – Released October 30, 2026 Page 2 of 3

Selected proposers must be eligible and agree to comply with all applicable NASA-required terms and conditions as stated

in the NOFO and including prohibition on proposals “involving bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination in any

way with China or any Chinese-owned company, whether funded or performed under a no- exchange-of-funds basis”.

There is a 20-page limit for all KNEP proposal content with exceptions noted below. The biographical sketches and current

and pending documents required for covered individuals must be submitted in the NASA-required format. For all other

documents, use one-inch margins, a 12-pt Times New Roman font, and single-spaced text.

To reduce burden on proposers while ensuring reviewers have sufficient information to evaluate readiness and alignment

with NASA priorities, the Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program (KNEP) requires the following proposal structure. This KNEP

proposal is not required to follow NASA formatting, page limits, or NSPIRES requirements, but must contain enough detail

for KNEP reviewers to assess competitiveness under the NASA FY 2027 EPSCoR Basic Research NOFO.

Proposers should review the NASA NOFO for complete federal requirements; selected proposals will be expected to prepare

a fully compliant NASA submission after down‑selection.

Proposals should address at a minimum the following within the 20-page combined limit:

1. Project Summary (1–2 pages recommended)

a. High‑level overview of the proposed research.

b. Clear statement of relevance to NASA’s missions and Research Focus Areas.

c. Identification and alignment with NASA Mission Directorate(s) or Center(s) (brief description only).

2. NASA Engagement Summary (1–2 pages recommended): This section demonstrates maturity of NASA alignment

without requiring formal NASA commitment letters. It should include:

a. Names/titles of NASA researchers contacted.

b. Summary of interactions to date (emails, meetings, discussions).

c. Expected roles or collaborations if selected.

d. Note: NASA collaborator commitment letters are not required and should not be requested. Proposers must

identify NASA researchers they have engaged with and summarize those interactions within the proposal

narrative

e. Note: The NOFO does require letters of support only when a proposer needs access to a facility or resource

not guaranteed to them. Example: using NASA‑unique facilities like thermal vac chambers, drop towers,

or wind tunnels requires a supporting letter from that center. Those letters will be required if applicable for

the final submission to NASA if the proposal is selected.

3. Scientific and Technical Narrative (8–10 pages recommended): This section should provide sufficient technical

detail to assess feasibility and intrinsic merit.

a. Background and motivation

b. Research objectives and hypotheses

c. Proposed technical approach

d. Expected outcomes and potential NASA impact

e. Description of existing capabilities, facilities, or prior work relevant to the project

4. Work Plan and Management Approach (2–3 pages recommended)

a. Key personnel and roles (PI, co‑Is, students, collaborators)

b. Management and communication plan

c. Milestones and high‑level timeline

Request for Proposals

Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program

NASA EPSCoR Basic Research FY 2027

KS NASA EPSCoR Program FY 2027 Basic Research RFP – Released October 30, 2026 Page 3 of 3

d. If applicable, description of multi‑institution or multi‑jurisdiction coordination

e. Submit a brief Data Management Plan only if required based on the NOFO guidance; otherwise include a

one‑sentence justification for why a DMP is not applicable (see NOFO for exceptions).

5. Budget Overview and Cost‑Share Plan (1–2 pages): This is not a full NASA budget. Provide a simplified summary

including:

a. Estimated total NASA request (approximate)

b. Cost‑share sources and amounts (≥50% of NASA request)

c. Major cost categories

d. Any planned equipment purchases (special‑purpose only allowed)

e. Anticipated travel needs

6. Sustainability and Competitiveness Plan (1–2 pages recommended)

a. Pathway to future non‑EPSCoR NASA or other federal funding

b. Expected long‑term benefits to Kansas research capacity

c. Anticipated partnerships (industry, national labs, NASA centers)

d. Plans to leverage results to build long‑term jurisdictional research capacity

7. Proposals must include the signature of the submitting Organization's Authorizing Official, demonstrating approval

and a commitment to meet Cost Share requirements.

Required Supporting Materials (not included in page limit):

• References and Citations (as needed; not included in page count)

• Biographical sketches and current and pending documents required for covered individuals must be submitted in

the NASA-required format

Optional Supporting Materials (not included in page limit):

• Letters of resource access (if critical to project feasibility)

• Table of Contents

• Brief Facility, Equipment and Other Resources descriptions

Additional guidance for KNEP proposers:

• Proposers are responsible for understanding all NASA evaluation criteria described in the NOFO. KNEP

reviewers will assess alignment at an appropriate level of detail for internal selection, but proposers should expect

to fully meet NASA’s requirements if selected.

• KNEP reviewers will use a similar evaluation rubric as shown in the NOFO for selection utilizing the same

scoring definitions (Excellent, Very Good, etc.):

o 35% NASA relevance (including alignment with Kansas S&T plan)

o 35% intrinsic merit

o 15% budget

o 15% management

The expected timeline for this RFP is:

• Proposals in response to this RFP are due by noon on December 2

, 2026 (CT).

• Expected review period is December 3

– December 16

• Notification date for selected proposers: December 18

• Final proposal application due to NASA on February 1

, 2027 (11:59 PM ET).