Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH21ZHA003N
The MUREP-Small Business Technology Transfer Research Planning Grants (M-STTR) opportunity is a NASA-funded grant program designed to help Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and eligible small businesses (often referred to as Small Business Concerns, or SBCs) overcome early-stage barriers that can make it difficult to compete in the annual Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) solicitations. Instead of funding a full technology development effort right away, these planning grants focus on the upfront work that helps a university research team and a small business partner form a strong collaboration, align around a practical technical concept, and prepare a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal that fits NASA mission needs and has real commercial potential.
At its core, the program is meant to stimulate new and creative partnerships between MSI researchers and small businesses in areas where both sides share interests and complementary strengths. The intent is to move beyond one-off conversations and toward structured, mutually beneficial relationships that can produce novel technologies with a clear path toward supporting NASA priorities while also positioning the innovation for commercial market development. In practical terms, the grant supports planning activities such as identifying shared research and technology goals, clarifying roles and responsibilities between the MSI and SBC, mapping the technical approach and milestones, and shaping a proposal strategy that can be submitted to the next SBIR/STTR solicitation cycle.
This is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under the education funding activity category, with CFDA number 43.008. The funding opportunity number is NNH21ZHA003N, and it was originally posted on April 29, 2021 with an original closing date of June 11, 2021. NASA anticipated making around 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $50,000 per project. Eligibility is listed as "Others" with additional eligibility details provided in the full announcement, which typically signals that applicants must meet specific criteria laid out in the solicitation (for example, being an MSI and partnering appropriately with an eligible small business).
Overall, M-STTR planning grants are essentially a bridge-building and proposal-readiness mechanism. NASA uses this program to expand participation in the SBIR/STTR pipeline by helping MSIs and small businesses invest time and structure into early coordination, planning, and proposal development. The expected outcome is a stronger, more competitive set of MSI-small business teams prepared to submit SBIR/STTR proposals that can generate technologies valuable to NASA missions and capable of advancing into viable commercial products or services.Apply for NNH21ZHA003N
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MUREP-Small Business Technology Transfer Research Planning Grants (M-STTR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.008.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 29, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: NASA MUREP-Small Business Technology Transfer Research Planning Grants (M-STTR)
What is the MUREP-Small Business Technology Transfer Research Planning Grants (M-STTR) program?
M-STTR is a NASA-funded planning grant program designed to help Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and eligible small businesses (often called Small Business Concerns, or SBCs) overcome early-stage barriers that can make it hard to compete in NASA's annual SBIR and STTR solicitations.
What is the main purpose of these planning grants?
The main purpose is to fund upfront planning and coordination work so an MSI research team and a small business partner can build a strong collaboration and prepare a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal aligned with NASA mission needs and commercial potential.
Does this grant fund full technology development?
No. The opportunity is described as a planning grant, meaning it supports proposal-readiness and partnership-building activities rather than immediately funding a full technology development effort.
Who is this program meant to help?
The program is intended to support MSIs and eligible small businesses (SBCs), especially teams that face early-stage barriers to forming partnerships and developing competitive SBIR/STTR proposals.
What kinds of partnerships does NASA want to stimulate through M-STTR?
NASA aims to stimulate new and creative partnerships between MSI researchers and small businesses where both sides have shared interests and complementary strengths, moving beyond one-off conversations toward structured, mutually beneficial collaboration.
What types of activities can M-STTR planning grant funds support?
Based on the opportunity description, supported planning activities can include identifying shared research and technology goals, clarifying roles and responsibilities between the MSI and SBC, mapping the technical approach and milestones, and shaping a proposal strategy for the next SBIR/STTR solicitation cycle.
What is the expected outcome of an M-STTR planning grant?
The expected outcome is a stronger MSI-small business team that is better prepared to submit a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal, with a technical concept aligned to NASA priorities and a credible path to commercial market development.
How does this program relate to SBIR and STTR?
M-STTR is designed as a bridge into the SBIR/STTR pipeline. It supports early coordination and proposal development so teams can be ready to submit to the next SBIR/STTR solicitation cycle.
Which federal agency sponsors this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Is this a discretionary grant or a formula/entitlement program?
It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as education.
What is the CFDA number for this grant program?
The CFDA number provided is 43.008.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is NNH21ZHA003N.
When was this opportunity originally posted?
The opportunity was originally posted on April 29, 2021.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date listed is June 11, 2021.
How many awards did NASA anticipate making?
NASA anticipated making around 10 awards.
What is the maximum award amount per project?
The award ceiling is $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details provided in the full announcement. This typically indicates applicants must meet specific criteria in the solicitation, such as being an MSI and partnering appropriately with an eligible small business (SBC).
Why does the eligibility category say "Others" instead of listing standard categories?
"Others" generally signals that eligibility depends on specific requirements defined in the full solicitation rather than a broad category alone. In this case, the description indicates MSI participation and an eligible small business partnership are central to eligibility.
What does SBC stand for in the context of this opportunity?
SBC stands for Small Business Concern, a common term used in SBIR/STTR contexts to refer to eligible small businesses.
How does NASA benefit from offering M-STTR planning grants?
NASA uses M-STTR to expand participation in the SBIR/STTR pipeline by helping MSIs and small businesses invest in early coordination, planning, and proposal development, ultimately leading to proposals and technologies that support NASA mission needs.
What does NASA mean by "commercial potential" in this context?
The opportunity emphasizes preparing SBIR/STTR proposals that not only align with NASA priorities but also position the innovation for commercial market development, meaning there should be a plausible path toward a viable product or service beyond the initial proposal stage.
Is the goal limited to NASA-only applications?
No. The description highlights both NASA mission value and commercial market development, indicating the program is interested in technologies that can support NASA while also having broader commercial potential.
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