APPENDIX A




SUN-EARTH CONNECTION



SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY,


SUBORBITAL, GUEST INVESTIGATOR,


AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS




1.      Introduction

The Sun-Earth Connection theme of NASA's Office of Space Science (OSS)
supports investigations concerning the origin, evolution, and interactions
of space plasmas and electromagnetic fields in the heliosphere and in
connection with the galaxy.  Understanding the origin and nature of solar
activity and its effect on the space environment of the Earth is a
particular focus.  Previous NASA Research Announcements (NRA's) in this
series referred to the science disciplines involved here under the general
title of Space Physics.  Current discipline foci are:

The emphasis in all of these disciplines is the study of processes that
occur naturally in the space environment and/or the study of man made
perturbations that elucidate natural plasma processes.  Owing to budgetary
restrictions, it is extremely unlikely that  plasma physics experiments
made possible only through access to space can be supported.  Details of
the purview of these disciplines are given in respective subsections of
Section 6.

Owing to the recent OSS reorganization, the solicitation of proposals for
research into the specifically galactic astrophysical aspects of Cosmic Ray
Physics will be made through a separate NRA.

It is NASA and U.S. Government policy to maximize the opportunities for
Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, and Minority Institutions.  Investigators from such
institutions are particularly encouraged to propose.


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Regardless of the apparent availability of opportunities for programs
discussed in this NRA, prospective proposers are advised that these
programs have been extremely competitive in recent years and, therefore,
the number of selections has been severely restricted owing to limitations
of funds.  In the last several years, as few as one out of five of the
submitted proposals have been successful in being selected.  The current
and predicted future NASA budgets indicate that the selection ratio for
this current NRA will be no better than in the past.



2.       Program Description

The programs covered by this NRA have now been comprehensively reviewed
several times each since 1988, generally resulting in a distribution of
one-, two-, and three-year research grants and contracts (hereafter
collectively called awards).  Since then, yearly NRA's have solicited
proposals for those portions of the budget that are anticipated to be
uncommitted as a result of the expiration of previous awards and/or as a
result of additional budget authority.  This NRA is the only one to be
issued for funding starting in Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 for basic supporting
research and analysis in the programs listed in Table l and discussed in
detail in Sections 6 and 7 below.

NASA recognizes that the analysis of data from its older flight programs
can still provide the basis for significant  scientific progress and such
data may be used for investigations submitted in response to this NRA.
Investigators who wish to do so, however, must verify access to any data
that is necessary for the proposed research.

Proposals for several elements of the Sun-Earth Connection research program
are solicited in this NRA.  These include the Supporting Research and
Technology (SR&T) and suborbital programs in the various disciplines, the
overarching Space Physics Theory Program (SPTP), and the Educational
Outreach (EO) program.  Several Guest Investigator (GI) Programs are also
introduced in this NRA.  Generic program descriptions follow immediately
while discipline specific information can be found in Sections 6 and 7.

        (1)  Supporting Research and Technology Program.  The theme
disciplines support between 20 and 80 individual research tasks each.
These tasks employ a variety of research techniques, e.g., theory,
numerical simulation, and modeling, analysis and interpretation of existing
space data,  development of new instrument concepts, and laboratory
measurements of relevant atomic and plasma parameters, all to the extent
they have a clearly stated and specific application to contemporary
problems of the natural phenomena and to the NASA Sun-Earth Connection
program.  The individual SR&T programs are described further in Section 6
below.

        (2)  Suborbital Programs.  The objectives of the suborbital
programs are: (i) to allow the study of naturally-occurring phenomena in
space or near-space that can be obtained with relatively low cost
instruments flown from unique locations and/or in conjunction with special
events (e.g., a solar eclipse or to gather ancillary data for a related
orbiting spacecraft); and (ii) to proof-test new concepts in experimental
techniques that may ultimately find application for orbital missions for
Sun-Earth Connection  program objectives.  The suborbital program for Solar
Physics is treated in Section 6.2 of this Appendix, and the combined
suborbital program for Magnetospheric and ITM physics is treated separately
in Section 7.


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        (3)  Space Physics Theory Program (SPTP).  This program allows
relatively large "critical mass" groups of investigators to attack
theoretical and modeling problems concerning the natural phenomena relating
to the Sun-Earth Connection program that are beyond the scope of the
nominally smaller SR&T tasks discussed above.  This program was competed
through
NRA 95-OSS-11, and the current three year cycle of funding runs through FY
1998.  This program is not open for competition through this NRA.

        (4)  Educational Outreach (EO) Program.  This program provides for
a modest supplement (up to $5 K per year) to enable educational outreach
efforts directed at elementary school through undergraduate college level
students and/or teachers, or the general public. Education Outreach efforts
may be proposed as supplements to new research proposals for any of the
programs noted above.  Principal Investigators already holding existing
Space Physics research grants having periods of performance that extend
into FY 1997 may also propose for a EO supplement.  Owing to their small
size, EO grants cannot be awarded independent of a "parent" research award.
Details are given in Section 3.3 of this Appendix.

        (5) Guest Investigator (GI)Programs.  Guest Investigator Programs
are intended to maximize the return from currently ongoing missions by
providing support for research which heavily utilizes mission specific data
from currently operating spacecraft.  Three GI programs are advertised in
this NRA.  The SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Guest Investigator
Program is described in Section 6.2 and both the Interball and
International Solar Terrestrial Program (ISTP) Guest Investigator Programs
are described in Section 6.3.


3.      Research Opportunity

        3.1     New and Renewal Proposals


Anyone wishing to be eligible for funding for a new task to be initiated in
FY 1997 for the disciplines described here should respond to this NRA.  All
proposals received in response to this NRA will be reviewed on an equal
basis without regard to whether a preceding task by the same investigator
was previously funded by this or any other OSS program.  Selections from
among the proposals of highest scientific and technical merit will also
take into account programmatic factors as determined appropriate for NASA's
Sun-Earth Connection theme (see Section 5 below).

Investigators whose proposals were selected for multiyear Space Physics
Division awards continuing through FY 1997 do not need to respond to this
NRA.  Investigators of ongoing awards are strongly encouraged to submit
proposals for an Education Outreach supplement; see Section 3.3.

    
    3.2     Limitations on Objectives of Proposals


*  This NRA solicits proposals for research investigations that fall within
the general scope of the science disciplines as defined in Section 1 but
that are distinctly separate from investigations selected for currently
approved space flight missions.  Therefore, proposals whose intent or
purpose is to extend or directly supplement an investigation selected for
an approved space flight mission are not appropriate for this NRA.

*  Proposals for fabrication of complete flight instruments are not
appropriate for this NRA except for the suborbital programs, details of
which are provided in Sections 6 and 7.  However, the development of
instrument concepts and/or critical subassemblies (e.g., detectors,
filters, etc.) for long-duration space and/or suborbital flight through to
the stage of laboratory ("brass board") verification may be proposed as an


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SR&T task provided the proposed activity is in the context of a clearly
defined science investigation even though the investigation cannot be
carried out without a flight opportunity.  While such hardware proposals
are strongly encouraged, funding for development of a laboratory instrument
concept does not guarantee either a suborbital or orbital flight
opportunity.

*  Proposals for the analysis of data from past missions are solicited.
Such proposals must , however, have specific scientific objectives and not
focus just on reprocessing, archiving, and/or routine reduction of flight
data.

*  Some areas of study within the Sun-Earth Connection theme overlap with
research objectives supported by other OSS disciplines.  In particular,
proposals dealing with the following disciplines are outside the purview of
this NRA:  the neutral components of planetary toruses, rings, and/or
atmospheres of extra-terrestrial planets; comparison of the Sun to other
stars; cosmic x-rays and gamma rays; the chemistry and/or dynamics of the
lower, neutral terrestrial atmosphere (i.e., below the mesosphere); and
cosmic rays.  If there are any questions, contact the appropriate
discipline scientist.


        3.3     Educational Outreach Supplements


The goal of the EO program is to encourage science community members to
become involved with local schools and/or undergraduate colleges, as well
as with other public educational institutions. The program supports
attempts to provide educational opportunities and materials that promote
general scientific literacy, as well as an understanding of the space
sciences. The emphasis is on active participation of researchers. It is not
in the spirit of this program to simply buy equipment for an educational
institution, or to conduct a science contest for student projects.
Proposals are expected to provide assurance that the effort is well planned
and that it is based on a true "partnership" between the researcher and the
general public and/or school system.

The maximum award for a EO supplement is $5 K per year for a period not to
exceed that of the parent research proposal.  It is desired but not
required that the Principal Investigator's  institutional overhead be
waived for these supplements.  In past competitions approximately 75% of
submitted EO proposals have been funded.

Specifically, EO proposers should:



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All EO proposals submitted as supplements to existing awards will be
evaluated. The only EO supplements to new research proposals that will be
evaluated, however, will be those associated with proposals selected for
funding on the merits of the research objectives of the "parent" grant.
The evaluation will be conducted by members of the Research Program
Management Division (RPMD) and other interested members of the Office of
Space Science.  The Sun-Earth Connection strongly encourages the submission
of EO proposals, but also notes that the submission of an EO proposal will
not influence the selection of regular SR&T or Suborbital program
proposals.  Separately bound proposals for Education Outreach supplements
should be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the preceding
solicitation letter.



4.      Proposal Preparation and Submission

        4.1.    General Provisions


*  Justification for selection of an investigation submitted in response to
this NRA lies in its scientific and technological merit, the relevance of
the proposed investigation to NASA's flight programs for the Sun-Earth
Connection, and its cost to NASA, all of approximately equal weight.  See
Section 5  for further discussion of the evaluation and selection criteria.


*  While there are no specific requirements for its content, successful
proposals are typically characterized by posing a scientific investigation
having the following attributes:

	-  a clear description of a specific scientific problem;
	-  a persuasive description of how the attack on this problem will be
	   carried out;
	-  a discussion of the relevance of the proposed research to NASA's current
	   and/or future programs;
	-  a clearly stated budget requesting support for only the items necessary
           to carry the investigation through to completion.

*  The detailed instructions on the preparation of budgets that are
presented in Appendix C (p. C-5) must be followed.

*  To ensure that responsibility for the proposal is focused on the actual
practitioner(s) of the work, "umbrella" proposals directed by a single
Principal Investigator (PI) who only serves as an overall director for
multiple individual research tasks, even though the individual tasks are
related by a common theme, are not appropriate.

*  "Co-Principal Investigators" are not recognized; each proposal must have
a single PI with overall scientific and financial responsibility for the
task.

*  Even though NASA can provide awards for only one year at a time,
proposers may request periods of performance of up to three years   In the
case of any multiyear proposal, the scope of the proposed research must
justify such funding, and NASA reserves the right to request a revised
proposal with restricted objectives appropriate for a reduced period of
performance and/or reduced budget.  If a proposal is accepted for a
multiyear award, continued funding is subject to the availability of funds,
demonstration of satisfactory progress as evidenced by a brief annual
report, and submission of an updated budget.  In the case of a shortage of
funds, renewal of multiyear awards usually takes priority over initiation
of new awards.  NASA reserves the right to negotiate funding for multiyear
awards as a condition for continuation.


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*    Proposals for extensions of previously funded efforts should clearly
distinguish between the work which has already been completed and the new
work being proposed.


        4.2     Notice of Intent to Propose


Submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose is required.  This is
necessary in order to allow planning for a timely and efficient peer review
process.  Submission of a NOI does not commit the sender to submit a
proposal, nor are Co-Investigator (CoI) commitments binding.  The suggested
NOI cover sheet format can be found in Appendix C (p. C-2).  The NOI must
include:

	-  reference to this NRA by its alpha-numeric identifier;
	-  the Program Element and Technique/Research area (see page C-2) to which
	   the proposal is to be directed
	-  the names, institutional addresses, and phone numbers of the Principal
	   Investigator and of anticipated Co-Investigators;
	-  the title of the expected investigation
	-  a brief description of the investigation to be proposed

A NOI may be submitted by any one of the following means, please do not
send duplicates (i.e., fasimile followed by hard copy).  An acknowledgment
of receipt will be sent by mail.

	*  By postal or express mail to:
        	1996 Sun-Earth Connection NRA
        	Jorge Scientific Corporation
        	400 Virginia Avenue, SW, Suite 700
       	 	Washington, DC 20024            USA

                Phone:   202-554-2775

	*  By facsimile to:             202-554-3042 or 202-554-2970

	*  By electronic mail to:       hlancast@leda.hq.nasa.gov


        4.3     Specific Proposal Preparation Information


Proposals submitted in response to this NRA should be prepared following
the  provisions of Appendix B with the following exceptions:

*  Replace paragraph (¶) b. of Section 7., entitled "Transmittal Letter or
Prefatory Material," in its entirety as follows:


"b.  Transmittal Letter or Prefatory Material

"In addition to any transmittal letter that the sponsoring institution may
wish to send, the first four pages of a proposal shall constitute summary
sheets using the Proposal Prefatory Material in Appendix C of this NRA as
follows:

-       Cover Sheet                                             (p. C-3)
-       Proposal Summary                                        (p. C-4)
-       Budget Summary                                          (p. C-6)
-       Current and Pending Research Support                    (p. C-7).




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"The Proposal Summary  prepared in accordance with the model format given on
p. C-4 may also serve as the Abstract for the proposal.

"All new proposals from educational and private institutions must be
accompanied by properly executed Certifications as follows (sample forms
are enclosed as pages C-8, C-9, and C-10, respectively, of Appendix C).
These certifications constitute part of the proposal prefatory materials
and should follow pages C-3 through C-7 as noted above, but need be
submitted only with the original signed proposal."


*  Replace Section 9 of Appendix B, entitled "LENGTH," in its entirety as
follows:


"Proposals should be as brief as possible, containing only substantive
material essential for a complete understanding of the proposed project.
Proposals are limited to 16 pages for all programs except the Suborbital
programs for which the limit is 26 pages. An additional 5 pages is allowed
for description of proposed Educational Outreach  efforts.  Neither the
required prefatory pages (Appendix C) nor bibliographies count in these
page limits.  Each side of a sheet containing text or figures is considered
a page.  Multipage fold-outs count as the equivalent number of regular
pages.  Text may be single spaced but limited to 55 lines per page using a
font having no more than ~14 characters per inch (10 point font).  A one
page curriculum vitae and personal bibliography relevant may be appended
for the PI and Co-I.  The full institutional budget  must be appended to
U.S. proposals.

"Restrictions.  Do not send reprints or preprints of articles, nor audio or
visual recordings.  Proposals must use metric units.  In order to
facilitate recycling, proposals should be on white paper with a minimum of
color or photographic inserts, printed double-sided if possible, and bound
in a way that facilitates disassembly (e.g., staples, loose-leaf or spiral
plastic bindings)."



*  All proposals submitted by U.S. institutions or from non-U.S.
institutions that include U.S-based Co-Investigators must comply with the
guidance in Appendix B, ¶i. of Section 7, "PROPOSED COSTS."


        4.4     Additional Guidelines for Non-U.S. Proposals


Scientists from non-U.S. institutions may propose for this program either
as Co-I's for a proposal submitted by a U.S. PI, or as  PI's with  U.S.
Co-I's. NASA funds only investigators who are staff members of a U.S.
institution, regardless of their citizenship.  The following guidelines are
to be followed by non-U.S. proposers and their national sponsoring
agencies.

1.      A Notice of Intent to propose must be submitted as indicated in
Section 4.2.  An additional copy of this Notice of Intent to propose must
also be sent to:

                Ms. Shiron Gaines
                International Relations Division
                Code IR (Attn. NRA 96-OSS-09)
                National Aeronautics and Space Administration
                Washington, DC  20546-0001     USA.


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2.      Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the provisions in
Appendix B, as amended by Section 4.3.  If the proposal involves a Co-I
from U.S. institutions, the material in Section 4.4 is applicable to that
U.S. Co-I.  Proposals must be typewritten and in English.  All non-U.S.
proposals will undergo the same evaluations and selection processes as U.S.
proposals.

3.      Non-U.S. PI's or Co-I's planning to submit a proposal should
arrange with their appropriate governmental agency for endorsement of the
proposed activity.  Such endorsement by their national funding organization
should indicate that the proposal merits careful consideration by NASA, and
that if the proposal is selected, the sponsoring organization has
sufficient funds to undertake the proposed activity.

4.      All proposals must be received before the established closing date
(see Section 7).  Those received after the closing date will be treated in
accordance with NASA's provisions for late proposals (Appendix B, Section
11), should such action be in NASA's best interest.  If review and
endorsement are not possible before the closing date, non-U.S. sponsoring
agencies may forward a proposal without endorsement with the date when a
decision on endorsement can be expected.

5.      The required copies (10 plus the signed original ) of the proposal
should be sent directly to the address given in the NRA letter covering
this Appendix, and one copy of the proposal and the letter of endorsement
must be sent to the address in Section 4.4.1.

6.      Shortly after the deadline for receipt of proposals, the NASA
Program Office coordinating this Announcement will send an acknowledgment
of the receipt of proposals to each proposer.

7.      Successful and unsuccessful proposers will be contacted directly by
the NASA Program Office coordinating this NRA according to the schedule in
Section 7.  Copies of these letters will also be sent to the sponsoring
governmental agency.

8.      If a joint proposal is selected, NASA's International Relations
Division will make arrangements to provide for the non-U.S. selectee's
participation in the program on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, in which NASA
and the non-U.S. sponsoring agency will each bear the cost of discharging
their respective responsibilities.  Depending on the nature and extent of
the proposal, these arrangements may entail a letter of notification by
NASA, an exchange of letters between NASA and the sponsoring foreign
governmental agency, or an agreement between NASA and the sponsoring
foreign governmental agency.




5.      Proposal Evaluation and Selection

        5.1  Evaluation Criteria


The criteria to be used for evaluation of proposals are given in Appendix
B, Section 13, entitled "EVALUATION FACTORS," with the exceptions that:

*  Paragraph (¶) a. of Section 13. is replaced in its entirety by the
following:


"a.     Recommendations for selection of a proposal will be based on
evaluations of the following factors, which have approximately equal



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weight: (1) intrinsic scientific and technical merit, (2) relevance to
NASA's space science program objectives, and (3) reasonableness, realism,
and total amount of proposed costs."


*  NASA advocates a policy of infusing the newest hardware, materials, and
technologies into its programs with the goal of minimizing payload mass and
complexity.  Therefore,  ¶c. of Section 13. is replaced by the following:


"c.     Evaluation of a proposal's intrinsic merit includes the
consideration of the following factors, which are listed in order of
decreasing priority:

        (1) Overall scientific or technical merit of the proposal
        (2) Unique and innovative methods, approaches, or concepts,
especially regarding infusion of new technologies that promise faster
and/or less expensive development.

        Other factors, of lesser importance, none of which is more
important than any other include:
        (3)  Offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities,
techniques, or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for
achieving the proposal objectives.
        (4)  The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the
proposed principal investigator, team leader, or key personnel critical in
achieving the proposal objectives.
        (5)  Overall standing among similar proposals and/or evaluation
against the state-of-the art."


        5.2  Evaluation and Selection Procedures


Proposal evaluations will be accomplished as described in Appendix B,
Section 14.  A non-Government contractor is expected to aid NASA in
organizing and documenting the proposal peer reviews, which will be done by
mail-in and/or panel reviews.  External reviewers will be asked to consider
primarily only the science and technical merit of the proposals, whereas
cost and relevance factors are the purview of NASA.  All non-Government
reviewers are required to submit nondisclosure statements prior to their
participation in the evaluation process.  All peer reviewers will be asked
to provide a final summary evaluation based on the ratings defined in
Appendix D.  Based on the peer and programmatic evaluations, final
selections will be made by the Director of the Research Program Management
Division, in consultation with the relevant science discipline staff of the
Division as well as the Science Program Director for the Sun-Earth
Connection theme.



6.      Science Discipline SR&T Programs


        6.1      Heliospheric Physics


The Heliospheric Physics program supports studies of the creation of the
solar wind; of the development of the solar wind in three dimensions and on
all spatial scales; on solar wind acceleration and transport of energetic


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particles; and of solar wind interaction with the interstellar medium as it
flows around and through the heliosphere.  Heliospheric Physics seeks to
understand the space environment of all planetary systems in the solar
system, and the interaction of that environment with the Universe outside
it.


        A.  Heliospheric Physics Theory and Data Analysis Program.  This
program supports data analysis and synthesis, theory, simulation, and
modeling efforts relevant to understanding the heliosphere.  This program
underwent comprehensive review in 1994 resulting in three-year awards that
essentially subscribe the available budgets through FY 1997.  This NRA DOES
NOT solicit general heliosphere proposals.  It is anticipated that the
heliosphere SR&T program will be fully competed next year.

A separate NRA for a new Heliospheric Missions Guest Investigator (GI)
program to begin in FY 1997 will be issued shortly.  The Heliospheric GI
NRA will solicit new investigations which fulfill the objectives of
heliospheric science using data from Pioneers 10 and 11 and Voyagers 1 and
2 (postencounter), Ulysses, and SAMPEX.


        B.  General Information.  Questions concerning the Heliospheric
Physics program should be addressed to:

        Dr. Miriam A. Forman
        Heliospheric Physics
        Research Program Management Division
        Code SR
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC  20546-0001
        	Telephone:      202-358-0897
        	Fax:    	202-358-3097
       		E-mail: 	forman@hq.nasa.gov

The solicitation of proposals for research into the specifically galactic
astrophysical aspects of Cosmic Ray Physics will be made through a separate
NRA. Questions concerning this NRA and/or general questions regarding the
Cosmic Ray program should be addressed to:

        Dr. W. Vernon Jones
        Research Program Management Division
        Code SR
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC 20546-0001
        	Telephone:      202-358-1588
        	Fax:    	202-358-3097
        	E-mail: 	wvjones@hq.nasa.gov

        6.2     Solar Physics

The Solar Physics program has as its objective the comprehensive study of
all solar regimes, defined as the solar interior, the quiet solar
atmosphere, solar activity, and the solar corona.  Proposals focused on
extended analysis of data now in the public domain from previous solar
space science missions are encouraged, as are proposals that would aid or
abet the planning of possible future solar flight programs, which include:



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-  the Mechanisms of Solar Variability - Phase Zero (MSV-0) program that
was started in FY 1994
-  the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer (TRACE) to be launched in
September 1997 and operated under an open data policy;
-  as a possible next step in the MSV program, a cooperative Japanese
Solar-B mission to be launched after 2000



        A.  Solar Physics Supporting Research and Technology Program.  The
Solar Physics SR&T program supports investigations involving analyses of
existing data that are in the public domain and are not currently supported
by a specific guest investigator or participating scientist program nor
being analyzed by science teams of an active flight mission using Mission
Operations and Data Analysis funding.  Such acceptable SR&T investigations
include the development of theoretical models and numerical simulation
techniques pertinent to solar physics, and, in special cases, the
development or coordination of solar ground-based observing capabilities
that support NASA Solar Physics flight programs.  This Solar Physics SR&T
program also supports the exploration and demonstration of new instrument
concepts pertinent to discipline goals, but it does not support the
development of space flight instruments per se.

For purposes of the management of discipline balance, the NASA Solar
Physics program is organized into a matrix of five techniques, viz.,

	-  Development of Instrument Concepts,
	-  Ground-based Observations,
	-  Theory,
	-  Data Analysis, and
	-  Ancillary Laboratory Research (e.g., derivation of atomic constants or
	photometric calibrations)

and the four solar research regimes noted above.  Investigations in all
matrix categories are invited.  Proposals that seek to develop laboratory
concepts for new instruments for future suborbital or orbital flight
opportunities are especially welcome.  Although no priorities are imposed
on these categories, an ideal program is envisaged as a balance among them,
consistent with the quality of submitted proposals and their relevance to
the current Solar Physics flight programs.  To aid in the identification of
peer reviewers it is essential that the Cover Sheet (Appendix C, p. C.2)
for Solar Physics proposals include a single discipline descriptor (e.g.,
Theory/Corona; Ground-based Observations/Solar Interior; etc.) as the
"Technique/Research Area" designation.

As part of a mission agency, the Sun-Earth Connection theme seeks to fund
only those efforts that directly impact NASA missions or interpretation of
their data.  Consequently, investigations, especially in ground-based solar
physics, even if of considerable merit, will not be given high priority for
funding through this NRA if they are judged to be more appropriate for
submission to other Federal agencies.

Note that solar physics will review, select, and directly fund only
complete investigations proposed by a single PI. Funding of Co-I's from
other institutions to an investigation must be accomplished by the PI
institution of that investigation.

The Solar Physics SR&T program has had several comprehensive reviews since
1988 resulting in a distribution of one-, two-, and three-year grants.
Therefore, only a portion of the program is currently available for
competition each year.  Total program funds in FY 1996 of $6.2 M supported
approximately 82 grants, 25 of which are expiring.



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        B.  Suborbital Program in Solar Physics.  This program underwent
comprehensive review in 1988, 1989, and 1993 for balloon and suborbital
rocket investigations, resulting in the selection of a number of multiyear
awards.

The suborbital solar rocket program is expected to be somewhat more focused
in this coming three-year funding cycle, with emphasis on the support of
the SOHO mission, the development of instrument concepts for the MSV-0
program that began in FY 1994 and efforts addressing the approaching solar
activity cycle maximum.  Proposals will also be considered, however, that
address other science areas or technology development activities that
relate to the general NASA Solar program.

If a previously funded rocket or balloon investigation group is reselected
under this NRA, appropriate funding will continue for a period of up to
three years, given adequate evidence of progress and availability of funds.
Previously funded groups not reselected may receive phase-out funding for
FY 1997, whereas new groups selected may receive only lower, phase-in
funding.  It is anticipated that about $2.2 M will be available for four to
six suborbital investigations in each of the next three years.


        C.  SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Guest Investigator
Program.  Proposals are invited to a SOHO Guest Investigator program
requiring new SOHO observations, analysis of existing data, theoretical
analysis in relation to SOHO observation, or ancillary ground-based
observations.  SOHO is a mission of international cooperation between ESA
and NASA.  An objective of the Guest Investigator program is to generate
significant results quickly, utilizing the unique and vast capabilities of
the SOHO mission.

Two types of Guest Investigator  participation in the SOHO mission are
foreseen.


        -  For the coronal experiments GI's will be attached to an
experiment team, and within that team will have priority rights for the
analysis of certain data sets, or priority rights for a  certain type of
analysis.  This mode of participation will apply to data from the following
investigations: Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS),
Extreme-ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (EIT), White Light and
Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO), Solar Ultraviolet Emitted Radiation
(SUMER), Solar Wind Anistropies (SWAN), and Ultraviolet Coronagraph
Spectrometer (UVCS).

        -  The data for the particle and helioseismology experiments do not
lend themselves to  being split up into 'events', observing sequences, or
time intervals, and, therefore, approved GI's will be included as members
of the PI teams and share the rights and obligations of the team
members.  This mode of participation will apply to data from the
following investigations:  Charge, Element, and Isotope Analysis (CELIAS),
Suprathermal and Energetic Particle analyser (COSTEP), Energetic
Particle Analyser (ERNE), Global Oscillations at Low Frequencies (GOLF),
Variability of Solar Irradiance (VIRGO), and the Michaelson Doppler
Imager (MDI/SOI).


The recommendations for selection of GI proposals will be made by the SOHO
Guest Investigator Selection Committee (GISC) whose members are appointed
by ESA and NASA.  Proposals will be evaluated according to their overall
scientific merit, relevance to the SOHO mission, compatibility with
declared SOHO PI team objectives, and feasibility. It is necessary but not
sufficient for approval for a GI proposal that  the proposed work add to
the expertise existing within the SOHO experiment team rather than simply
duplicating it.  Awards will be for one year, but it is anticipated that
this SOHO Guest Investigator Program announcement will be repeated annually
for at least two years, with up to $1M available per year from NASA.
Non-U.S. GI's will have to obtain funding for their research from their
national or other international institution.



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Prospective Guest Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the PI
team to which they wish to be attached in an early stage of the preparation
of the proposal.  In particular the following two issues need to be
clarified early on:

 	1)  The feasibility of the proposed observations -- are they
	possible using SOHO instruments, and can they be carried out with a
	reasonable amount of effort and time?
        2)  Potential conflicts with investigations by the SOHO PI teams,
	either through duplication of declared major PI team objectives, or
	interference with planned observations.   Note that in this regard SOHO
	PI teams may recommend to prospective GI's that they consider
	different SOHO teams if this seems more appropriate.

Interested parties may inquire by postal or electronic mail, or by phone,
to the person in subsection D below for additional written information
describing the details of this opportunity, may consult the December 1995
issue of Solar Physics, or  may see the SOHO information found at the
following World Wide Web site:

        http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/

Eligibility:  A U.S. PI on the SOHO mission may not receive funding from or
propose as a PI to this Guest Investigator Program.  SOHO Co-I's may
propose to this GI program as PI's but must include in their proposal a
description of their mission responsibilities which must not duplicate the
research proposed.

Guidelines for preparation and submission of proposals for this program are
as the same as those for the standard SR&T proposal with the exception that
proposals for this program will be accepted up to 30 days after the due
date for proposals to the main SR&T program.

        D.  General Information.  Questions concerning the Solar Physics
program should be addressed to:
        Dr. William J. Wagner
        Solar Physics Discipline
        Research Program Management Division
        Code SR
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC  20546-0001
        	Telephone:      202-358-0911
        	Fax:    	202-358-3097
                E-mail: 	wwagner@nhqvax.hq.nasa.gov



        6.3     Magnetospheric Physics


The Magnetospheric Physics program supports studies of the structure and
dynamics of magnetospheres and the interactions of solar system space
plasmas with planetary magnetospheres and natural space bodies.  The
discipline focus is on naturally occurring space plasma phenomena, with
attention given to both large-scale system structures and processes, and
the underlying micro physics.  The geospace portion of the
solar-terrestrial chain, including the solar wind-magnetosphere
interaction, is the principal focus of the program with an emphasis on the


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role of the magnetosphere in intercepting, storing, converting, and
reacting to the impinging energy and momentum from the solar wind.
Research on comparative magnetospheres, Moon-plasma interactions, and comet
environments is also appropriate.  Primary data are provided from
space-based in situ  and remote sensing measurements of plasmas, plasma
waves, energetic particles, electric fields, and magnetic fields; global
and large-scale images, e.g., auroras; and appropriate ground-based
measurements complementary to and supportive of the space data.

        A.  Magnetospheric Physics Supporting Research and Technology
Program.   This program supports the analysis, interpretation, and
synthesis of data; theoretical research; and the development of models and
simulations with the purpose of identifying and understanding the physical
processes important to magnetospheric structure and dynamics.  The
development and testing of new instrument concepts pertinent to discipline
goals may also be supported, if the proposed activity is in the context of
a clearly defined science investigation, but not the development of
specific engineering, proto-flight, or flight instrumentation (see section
3.2 of Appendix A).  Total funding in this program has been about $4.0 M
per year.  Of the approximately 70 grants currently being funded, about one
quarter will expire in FY 1996.

        B.  Suborbital Program in Magnetospheric, Ionospheric,
Thermosphere, and Mesosphere (MITM) Physics.  The MITM program supports
research on magnetospheric, ionospheric, thermospheric, and mesospheric
physics using a variety of methods for providing low cost access to space.
These include standard and long-duration balloons, sounding rockets,
Spartan and other Shuttle-based carriers, and sounding rocket-class
payloads flown as secondary payloads or on other missions of opportunity.
See the separate program description in Section 7  for further details.

        C.  International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Guest
Investigator Program.  A two-year ISTP Guest Investigator program is
provided for correlative scientific research  - data analysis, theory, and
simulations - that heavily utilizes the  ISTP data base (Polar,  Wind,
Geotail, Cluster, and SOHO) and complementary spacecraft, plus the
associated ground-based and theory investigations).  Such proposed
scientific investigations are expected to have PI's or Co-I's from the
named missions as collaborators (unfunded by the GI program) and must
verify access to the necessary multiple satellite and instrument data bases
for the proposed correlative research.  An objective of the Guest
Investigator program is to generate significant results quickly, utilizing
the unique and vast resources of the primary ISTP missions.  Thus, the
selections for this opportunity must strongly focus upon research that
extensively uses the multimission data base to address problems on a global
scale.  One year or two year awards at a funding level of about $75K to
$100K per year are expected to result from this opportunity, for which
total funding is expected to be up to $2M per year.  For two-year awards,
funding approval for the second year will be based upon the tangible
scientific achievements of the first year and continued program need.
Early scientific results will be used to demonstrate the significant
accomplishments and value of the ISTP program both to the scientific
community and the public.

Interested parties may inquire by postal or electronic mail, or by phone,
to the person in subsection E below for additional written information 
describing the details of this opportunity, or  see the ISTP information 
found at the following World Wide Web site:

        http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Eligibility:  A PI on the ISTP missions  (Polar, SOHO, Wind, Geotail,  and
Cluster) may not receive funding from or propose as a PI to this Guest
Investigator Program.  ISTP mission Co-I's may propose to this GI program
as a PI but must include in their proposal a description of their mission
responsibilities which must not duplicate the research proposed.


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Guidelines for preparation and submission of proposals for this program,
including the requirement for submission of a Letter of Intent and
submission due dates, are as the same as those for standard SR&T proposals.


        D.  Interball Guest Investigator Program.  Collaborative analysis
of data from the Russian Space Agency's Interball  and U.S. ISTP program
satellites is anticipated to provide the basis for important scientific
advances.   One-year research awards will, therefore, be provided for
scientific research - data analysis, theory, and simulations - that
emphasizes correlative studies using Interball observations that are
important to the GGS/ISTP missions.

Proposed scientific investigations are expected to have Interball  PI's or
Co-I's as unfunded collaborators and must have verified access to the
Interball data required to fulfill the proposed research objectives.  The
latter verification must be in writing and included in the proposal.
Proposals that make high time resolution Interball data available to the
GGS/ISTP community on a timely basis will be favored. A strong bias in the
selections for this opportunity will be towards research that uses the
mission data base extensively to address global scale problems.
Approximately 5 one-year awards are expected to result from this
opportunity, for which funding totals $250K.

Interested parties may inquire by postal or electronic mail, or by phone,
to the person in subsection E below for additional written information 
describing the details of this opportunity,  may see the ISTP information 
found at the World Wide Web sit referenced in Section 6.3.C, or may query 
the Interball Home Page at:

        http://www.iki.rssi.ru/interball.html

Guidelines for preparation and submission of proposals for this program,
including the requirement for submission of a Letter of Intent and
submission due dates, are as the same as those for standard SR&T proposals.

        E.  General Information.  Questions concerning the Magnetospheric
Physics programs should be addressed to:

        Dr. Robert L. Carovillano
        Magnetospheric Physics Discipline
        Research Program Management Division
        Code SR
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC  20546-0001
	        Telephone:      202-358-0894
	        Fax:    	202-358-3097
	        E-mail: 	bcarovillano@gm.ossa.hq.nasa.gov




        6.4     Ionospheric, Thermospheric, and Mesospheric Physics


The Ionospheric, Thermospheric, Mesospheric (ITM) Physics program supports
studies of the mesosphere and thermosphere regions of the upper atmosphere,
the ionosphere, and the auroral processes of Earth.  The goal of the ITM


A-15





program is to understand the formation, structure, coupling, and dynamics
of these systems.  Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling (which includes
auroral phenomena) is treated within the ITM program.  The primary emphasis
in all cases is the study of processes that occur naturally in space,
including the study of manmade perturbations that elucidate natural
processes.  Earth's ITM regions are an important part of the
solar-terrestrial chain.  The discipline thus supports studies of
solar-terrestrial processes, including studies of coupling processes
outward into the magnetosphere and inward to the upper atmosphere.

Proposals based on any in situ and/or space-based remote sensing data
relevant to these study areas are appropriate.  The use of ground-based
data is appropriate, however, only when it can be shown that it is clearly
and directly relevant to flight program goals.  The program also supports
laboratory studies that directly address problems in ITM physics.

        A.  Ionospheric, Thermospheric, Mesospheric Physics (ITM)
Supporting Research and Technology (SR&T) Program.  This program supports
theory, simulation, and modeling, indepth data analysis and synthesis, and
laboratory studies pertinent to the study of the ionosphere, thermosphere,
and mesosphere of the Earth.  It also supports the exploration and
demonstration of new instrument concepts pertinent to discipline goals, but
does not support the development of space flight instruments per se.  Total
funding for the existing ITM program had been about $4.0 M per year.  Of
the  61 grants currently being funded, approximately one half will expire
in FY 1996.

        B.  Suborbital Program in Magnetospheric, Ionospheric,
Thermospheric Mesospheric (MITM) Physics.  The MITM program supports
research on magnetospheric, ionospheric, thermospheric and mesospheric
physics using a variety of methods for providing low cost access to space.
These include standard and long-duration balloons, sounding rockets,
Spartan and other Shuttle-based carriers, and sounding rocket-class
payloads flown as secondary payloads or on other missions of opportunity.
See the separate program description in Section 7 for further details.

        C.  General Information.  Questions concerning the ITM Physics
Program should be addressed to:

        Dr. Mary Mellott
        Ionospheric, Thermospheric, and Mesospheric Physics
        Research Program Management Division
        Code SR
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC  20546-0001
        	Telephone:      202-358-0893.
                Fax:    	202-358-3097
                E-mail:         mmellott@hq.nasa.gov



7.      Suborbital Program in Magnetospheric, Ionospheric, Thermospheric,
and Mesospheric (MITM) Physics

        7.1     General Scope


The MITM program supports research on magnetospheric, ionospheric,
thermospheric, and mesospheric physics using a variety of methods for
providing low cost access to space.  These include standard and
long-duration balloons, sounding rockets, Spartan and other Shuttle-based


A-16




carriers, and sounding rocket-class payloads flown as secondary payloads or
on other missions of opportunity.  The emphasis is on the study of
processes that occur naturally in space and/or the study of man made
perturbations that elucidate natural plasma processes.  Owing to budgetary
restrictions, it is extremely unlikely that  plasma physics experiments
made possible only through access to space can be supported. The base MITM
program consists of a minimum number of balloon- and rocket-based
investigations.  Additional resources are used to provide further balloon
and rocket payloads, Shuttle-based investigations, secondary payloads,
and/or mission of opportunity investigations.  Selection from among these
additional investigations will be based on science return,
cost-effectiveness and overall programmatic balance.  Proposals submitted
in response to this NRA may submit budgets for up to three years that are
expected to cover a complete suborbital investigation including payload
construction, launch phase, and data analysis.  An appropriate data
analysis effort must be included as part of any flight program proposal.

A confluence of factors has recently made it highly desirable to minimize
the operational costs to NASA for the preparation (payload integration and
test) and field operations (especially the need for campaigns and/or
launches from remote or non-U.S. sites) for its suborbital programs.
Investigators are, therefore,  strongly encouraged to propose
investigations that minimize these operational factors, especially with
regard to payload complexity and nontraditional launch sites.  All those
who intend to propose to the MITM program are strongly urged to discuss
prospective investigations with operations personnel at Wallops Flight
Facility in order to ensure that probable operational costs are properly
anticipated.


        7.2 Special Programmatic Issues


Support for extended data analysis. Proposals for support for data analysis
extending beyond the nominal three-year proposal must be submitted
separately to the appropriate SR&T program.

Reflight policy.  The advantage of the quick, relatively inexpensive access
to space provided by this suborbital program also carries an element of
risk.  NASA does not guarantee a reflight opportunity for an investigation
that fails regardless of the cause of the failure.  Although it can be cost
effective to refly payloads that have been recovered after some types of
flight failure, decisions on reflight must take into account current MITM
science priorities and budgets as well as operational support capabilities.
Investigators wishing to request reflight of unsuccessful experiments must
submit new proposals.

Add-on instruments.  MITM proposals are initially selected as comprehensive
scientific investigations.  The proposal to add an instrument to an ongoing
program, whether provided by the selected investigation team or by someone
outside of that team, must demonstrate that it is important to the
completion of the scientific goals of the original proposal.  Requests to
expand payload scope beyond the original proposal will require further
review of the project.

Launch Voucher Demonstration (LVD) Program.  Congress has directed NASA to
test the validity of allowing the private sector to provide launch services
for a representative sample of the sounding rocket payloads launched from
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR).  The NASA launch demonstration program
will provide a "voucher" to each of a small number (up to about five) of
selected suborbital rocket investigators to enable them to solicit and
procure launch services directly from the private sector.

NASA offers the opportunity to participate in this LVD program to the
proposers for the MITM Suborbital program through this NRA.  Proposers
should indicate their interest in participation in the LVD program on the
Cover Sheet, page C-2 (Appendix C).  Volunteering to consider such


A-17




participation will not be binding on the proposer, nor will it influence
the selection process.  Participants in the LVD will not be provided
additional financial resources for payload development.  Questions about
the LVD program should be directed to:

        Mr. Paul DeMinco
        Manager, Suborbital Programs
        Mission and Payload Development Division
        Code SD
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC  20546-0001
        	Telephone:      202-358-0887.
        	Fax:    	202-358-3987
        	E-mail: 	pdeminco@hq.nasa.gov

Sounding Rocket Launch Sites.  The two standard U.S. launch sites for
sounding rockets are White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, and
Wallops Island, Virginia.  Although launches from Poker Flat Rocket Range
(PFRR) in Alaska require support from mobile launch crews, they do not
require separate campaign proposals.  However, prospective proposers should
be aware that current plans call for the closing of PFRR in alternate years
beginning with the winter season 1995-96.

Prospective investigators should also be aware that  NASA sounding rocket
flights from WSMR require the payment by NASA of significant fees. While
the current operations budget contains sufficient funds to support a small
number of flights from WSMR every year, it is difficult to accommodate
investigations with extended launch windows at WSMR.

In addition to flights from WSMR, Wallops Island, and PFRR, the MITM
program has historically been able to support up to one campaign per year
consisting of a series of rockets flown  from a common but nonstandard
launch location.  Campaigns are usually planned several years in advance.
Those presently scheduled are for PFRR during the winter 1996-97;  for
Svalbard in the winter of 1997-98; and for Puerto Rico in the fall of
1997.

In proposing for a campaign, the following protocol must be followed:


-  A  Campaign Scientist should submit a "Campaign Summary" proposal
describing the overall effort and listing prospective investigations.  The
following issues must also be addressed: the rationale for requesting the
proposed launch site, the desired launch time, and/or other special launch
conditions (moon-down, night time, etc.); any expected foreign involvement;
required ground and/or airplane support ; any other information that
defines the overall scope of the proposed campaign; and an overall cost
budget.

-  Each investigator who wishes to participate in a campaign must submit a
separate investigation proposal, each of which will be independently
reviewed.  Clear cross-reference must be made to the Campaign proposal on
the Cover Sheet page C-2 (Appendix C).


Proposals from Multiple Institutions.  Proposals to the MITM program often
involve the development of payloads which require collaboration among
several institutions. In such cases the lead PI may propose a direct
subcontracting arrangement between the PI institution and the Co-I
institutions.  To avoid the payment of multiple overhead fees, however,
NASA prefers to provide separate awards to each institution involved in
such multiinstitutional investigations, with a "Lead Co-I" from each
Co-Investigator institution serving as the "Institutional PI" for the award
to that institution.   The following guidance applies to MITM proposals
involving such separately funded contributions from multiple institutions.


A-18



-  Only the primary proposal for the overall investigation, submitted by
the lead PI, will be reviewed.  This primary proposal must include the lead
PI's work statement (in the page limit noted in Section 5.3) and budget,
followed by short task statements and budgets (not counted in the page
limit) from all other collaborating Co-I institutions.  The proposal cover
sheet  (Cover Sheet  C-3) of the leading proposal must show separately the
dollar amounts requested by the leading institution and each Co-I
institution, plus the yearly total requests for the total investigation.

-  The appended task statement(s) from Co-I collaborating institution(s),
not to exceed five pages, must describe that institution's contribution to
the investigation, the roles of the Co-I'(s) at that institution (if more 
than one, a single Lead Co-I for that institution must be chosen), and a 
summary budget for the task following the format of page C-5 in Appendix C.

        -  Each Co-I institution must additionally submit a full formal,
signed proposal incorporating the task statement noted above, all
prefatory materials indicated in Appendix C, and a full institutional
budget.  Such Co-I proposals must be clearly cross-referenced on the
Cover sheet  to the lead PI proposal and must have the same title as the PI
proposal.


        7.3  Funding Guidelines


MITM program proposals selected under this NRA will be phased into the
program as rapidly as resources permit.  As a rule, new investigations are
awarded definition-level funding in their first year, full funding for
development in their second year, leading to flight early in their third
year, which concludes with data analysis.  Total funding in this program
has been about $4 M per year; annual funding levels have averaged $200 K
per investigation and $130 K per individual investigator.  Of the 19
investigations currently being funded, five will end in FY 1996.


        7.4  General Information


Questions concerning this program should be addressed to:

        Dr. Mary Mellott
        Suborbital MITM Physics Program
        Research Program Management Division
        Code SR
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC  20546-0001
                Telephone:      202-358-0893.
                Fax:    	202-358-3097
                E-mail:         mmellott@hq.nasa.gov




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