# Preparing for a NASA Grant Application: Key Insights and Steps
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Chapter 1: Introduction to NASA Grant Applications
Welcome back! If you remember, our goal has been to pursue a NASA grant. Let's continue from where we left off.
If you’re new to applying for a NASA grant, don’t worry. The application consists of five essential sections that need to be completed. In my situation, budget details aren’t necessary, so we haven't included that part. To meet our submission deadline, we must do more than simply draft a notice of intent. Although we have already created a proposal summary, we can break down each section to understand its requirements better and see how we can complete it.
Proposal Summary
The aim of this project is to enhance our understanding of how the atmospheric and surface conditions on Mars impact water resources and energy generation potential—key factors for future Mars exploration missions. Specifically, this tool will enable researchers to analyze data to investigate the distribution and accessibility of water resources across different Martian terrains and their energy generation capabilities, depending on the terrain and atmospheric clarity.
The system will allow users to easily customize and generate data visualizations from publicly available Mars datasets. It will focus on data regarding Martian water distribution, solar energy potential, and atmospheric conditions. These visualizations will also serve as templates for analyzing water quality and energy generation in regions like Jamestown and similar areas.
To ensure wide accessibility, the tool will be optimized for various devices, including low-end desktops and smartphones. With its user-friendly features, users will be able to interact with data in real-time, facilitating the creation of visualizations of Martian terrain, atmospheric conditions, and potential water resources.
This tool will incorporate data from several Mars missions, such as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) for high-resolution surface data and the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) for atmospheric analysis.
Specific hypotheses to be tested include:
- Hypothesis 1: Regions of Mars with thinner atmospheres and lower dust concentrations provide more efficient solar energy generation potential.
- Hypothesis 2: The distribution of water ice is more favorable in areas with certain surface and atmospheric characteristics, aiding in future mission landing site selections.
The tool will empower researchers to validate these hypotheses by visualizing and analyzing relevant mission data through an intuitive interface. Moreover, it will allow communities along the James River in Virginia to apply similar scientific methods to address their own water and energy challenges, thereby contributing to local sustainability efforts.
By making the tool accessible to both scientific researchers and community leaders, it encourages a two-way exchange of knowledge and innovation. Insights gained from Mars research will directly inform local sustainability initiatives, creating a model for how space technology can benefit underserved populations on Earth.
Open Science and Data Management Plan
All datasets, visualization outputs, and analytical methods developed through this project will be made publicly available via NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS). The tool itself will be constructed using open-source libraries, with all code available for public use and modification. This ensures that both the scientific community and local users can fully access the resources developed.
Relevance to NASA's Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP)
This proposal aligns directly with MDAP's objective to enhance scientific research on Mars using publicly available mission data. The proposed tool will provide researchers with new capabilities to analyze and interpret complex Mars datasets, enabling more accurate predictions and models relevant to future Mars exploration missions.
Business Data
This section allows us to link to another organization. Ideally, I would establish either a Non-Profit or a Small Business to connect with in addition to my institution, Virginia Commonwealth University. More on that later. It also requests performance dates, which provide context for the proposal.
It inquires whether the application is being sent to any other government agencies. Being offered a list of potential agencies is intriguing, especially since either the Air Force Research Lab or DARPA might be interested in our work.
To keep things straightforward, we will select "no" for all of this information.
Program Data and Proposal Team
This section pertains to who may review the data in this application effort. For simplicity, we will indicate no one since it is due for submission tomorrow.
Is it time to submit?
No. Can you imagine the surprise if I submitted a NASA grant application without consulting the office of technology transfer at my university? I would miss out on numerous collaborative opportunities. Instead, let’s take a step back and devise a plan for how to adapt this Mars Data Analysis Vision for another NASA grant that is a couple of months away, so we don't feel rushed.
The plan is to reach out to my University Technology Transfer center before developing any new processes and involve them in reviewing my publication approach.
Now, it’s time to get back to studying Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering! Perhaps next time, NASA!
Chapter 2: Video Resources for NASA Grant Applications
The first video titled "What to Know Before Applying for NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreements" provides valuable insights into the application process, guiding potential applicants through the essential steps and considerations.
The second video, "Grant 102 Overview of NASA Grants Environment," gives an overview of the NASA grants landscape, helping applicants understand the environment in which they are applying.