Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH16ZEA001N USRC
The University Student Research Challenge (USRC) is a NASA Headquarters grant opportunity released as part of Amendment 4 to the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2016 solicitation (NRA), posted through NASA's NSPIRES system. It is framed as a pilot project designed to spark more student-led innovation in aeronautics by supporting early-stage, high-potential ideas that could eventually create brand-new capabilities for aviation. The effort is run by NASA's Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP), which focuses on novel and potentially game-changing concepts rather than incremental improvements alone.
A defining feature of this challenge is that it combines traditional grant support with a cost-sharing expectation tied to public fundraising. In addition to receiving NASA grant funding, student teams are expected to raise cost-sharing funds using crowdfunding platforms, effectively demonstrating public interest and helping stretch the overall project budget. The intent is to encourage students not only to do strong technical work, but also to practice communicating their ideas, building momentum, and proving there is wider buy-in for the concept.
The opportunity targets students affiliated with accredited U.S. colleges or universities and looks for aeronautics-related project ideas backed by genuine commitment to developing them. Projects must align with the ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan (referenced in the solicitation at https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/strategy) and must address one of ARMD's six strategic thrusts as they relate to aviation. While the notice does not list the thrusts directly, the requirement signals that proposals need to clearly map their technical approach and expected outcomes to NASA's current aeronautics priorities, rather than being purely academic or loosely connected to flight.
NASA indicates that the solicitation's objectives can be met through a range of project types, as long as they advance aeronautics in a meaningful way. Examples include advancing aircraft or aviation system design, developing technologies or capabilities that support aviation, demonstrating a novel concept through prototyping or experimentation, or enabling progress in aeronautics-related technologies that could later mature into operational use. In practice, this means proposals should emphasize what is new or transformative about the idea, how it will be validated (analysis, testing, demonstration), and what kind of capability it could unlock for aviation if successful.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using the grant instrument, categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 43.002). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the source data, though the narrative clearly centers on student participation through accredited U.S. institutions, so applicants would be expected to fit the student-focused intent and comply with NASA's standard submission and award requirements on NSPIRES. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are explicitly not required, reducing an early procedural step and allowing teams to focus directly on preparing the full proposal.
The key deadline provided is the proposal due date of October 16, 2017, and the opportunity was created on April 18, 2017. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the included fields, so applicants would need to consult the full NSPIRES posting and the amendment text for budget limits, evaluation criteria, and detailed instructions. Overall, USRC is positioned as a student-driven, innovation-oriented aeronautics challenge that blends NASA support with crowdfunding-based cost sharing to cultivate both technical progress and broader engagement around new aviation concepts.Apply for NNH16ZEA001N USRC
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Student Research Challenge (USRC) – A Pilot Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.002.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-04-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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University Student Research Challenge (USRC) - FAQs
What is the University Student Research Challenge (USRC)?
The University Student Research Challenge (USRC) is a NASA Headquarters grant opportunity released as part of Amendment 4 to the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2016 solicitation. It is described as a pilot project intended to increase student-led innovation in aeronautics by supporting early-stage, high-potential ideas that could eventually create new capabilities for aviation.
Which NASA organization runs the USRC effort?
The effort is run by NASA's Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP), which emphasizes novel, potentially game-changing aeronautics concepts rather than only incremental improvements.
Where is the opportunity posted and submitted?
The opportunity is posted through NASA's NSPIRES system, and applicants are expected to follow NASA's standard NSPIRES submission and award requirements.
What makes this challenge different from a typical grant?
A defining feature is that it combines traditional NASA grant funding with a cost-sharing expectation tied to public fundraising. Student teams are expected to raise cost-sharing funds using crowdfunding platforms, both to demonstrate public interest and to help expand the overall project budget.
Is crowdfunding required as part of the cost share?
Yes. The description indicates student teams are expected to raise cost-sharing funds using crowdfunding platforms as part of the overall project approach.
Why does the program include a crowdfunding component?
The intent is to encourage students to go beyond technical work and also practice communicating their ideas, building momentum, and showing broader buy-in for the concept through public engagement.
Who is the opportunity intended for?
The opportunity targets students affiliated with accredited U.S. colleges or universities and seeks aeronautics-related project ideas backed by genuine commitment to developing them.
Is eligibility unrestricted or student-focused?
The source data lists eligibility as unrestricted. However, the narrative is clearly student-centered and tied to participation through accredited U.S. institutions, so applicants would be expected to align with that student-focused intent and comply with the solicitation requirements.
What kinds of projects are considered a fit for USRC?
NASA indicates the objectives can be met through a range of project types, as long as they meaningfully advance aeronautics. Examples mentioned include aircraft or aviation system design advancements, technologies or capabilities that support aviation, prototyping or experimentation to demonstrate a novel concept, or enabling progress in aeronautics-related technologies that could later mature into operational use.
Do projects have to be "transformative" rather than incremental?
The challenge is positioned under TACP and emphasizes novel and potentially game-changing concepts. Proposals are therefore expected to highlight what is new or transformative about the idea, not just incremental improvement.
How should a proposal show technical credibility?
Based on the description, proposals should emphasize what is new about the concept, how it will be validated (for example through analysis, testing, prototyping, or demonstration), and what capability it could unlock for aviation if successful.
What NASA strategic alignment is required?
Projects must align with the ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan (referenced at https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/strategy) and must address one of ARMD's six strategic thrusts as they relate to aviation. Proposals should clearly map the technical approach and expected outcomes to NASA's current aeronautics priorities.
Are the six ARMD strategic thrusts listed in the provided notice?
No. The requirement to address one of the six thrusts is stated, but the thrusts are not listed in the information provided here. Applicants would need to use the referenced ARMD strategic materials and the full solicitation text to ensure correct mapping.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity? What instrument is used?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity using the grant instrument.
What is the CFDA number and category?
The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development, CFDA 43.002.
Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?
No. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are explicitly not required for this opportunity.
What is the proposal due date?
The proposal due date provided is October 16, 2017.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity listing was created on April 18, 2017.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or number of awards?
No. The included fields do not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards. Applicants would need to consult the full NSPIRES posting and the amendment text for budget limits, evaluation criteria, and detailed instructions.
Where can applicants find the detailed instructions, evaluation criteria, and budget limits?
The description indicates applicants should consult the full NSPIRES posting and the Amendment 4 text under the ROA 2016 solicitation for detailed instructions, evaluation criteria, and any budget limits.
What is the overall goal of USRC?
USRC is positioned as a student-driven, innovation-oriented aeronautics challenge designed to cultivate technical progress and broader engagement around new aviation concepts by blending NASA support with crowdfunding-based cost sharing.
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