Thread by @arielwaldman

NASA is offering funding to visionary ideas (from a variety of disciplines) that can be applied to transforming the future of space exploration or aeronautics. Application is a 3-page white paper that’s due September 20. niacfellows.org (1/12)

The program is known as NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) - @NASAIAC. It funds early studies of bright ideas. This is where to propose never-been-done-before ideas that likely wouldn’t be funded anywhere else. ~12 awards are given in the amount of $125,000 each. (2/12)

@NASAIAC I am personally asking for women to apply to this program. Why? Last year, 10% of applicants self-identified as women (& ~10% of the awards went to women). I believe women are disproportionately not told about nor encouraged to to apply to this program. (3/12)

@NASAIAC The concepts don’t have to originate from a space science background – concepts in biology, computer science, material science, physical therapy, & more, when applied towards future space missions, aeronautics operations or science capabilities, are equally game-changing. (4/12)

@NASAIAC NIAC is sometimes mistakenly viewed as a “genius” grant.

But here’s the thing - often times very present-day techniques from other disciplines, when applied towards a hypothetical future space mission, are what’s needed to jolt space & aeronautics forward. (5/12)

@NASAIAC Here are just a couple examples of previously funded concepts:

Using computer vision to create routes on the Moon for rovers to stay in continuous sunlight (thus never needing to power-down overnight): nasa.gov/spacetech/niac… (6/12)

@NASAIAC …or using fungi to build structures on Mars: nasa.gov/directorates/s…

@lynnjrothschild talks about her concept in this TEDx talk: ted.com/talks/lynn_rot…
(7/12)

@NASAIAC @lynnjrothschild …or using an already-developed technology that “sees” behind corners and imagining how it could work to map caves on the Moon if it was strapped to an orbiting spacecraft: nasa.gov/content/perisc…

Video of the tech: (8/12)

@NASAIAC @lynnjrothschild It’s important to know you aren’t expected to build a functioning prototype (many concepts only exist “on paper”).

The space mission it’s useful for can also be hypothetical - it doesn’t need to be a current mission.

But, you need to have a idea to propose & analyze. (9/12)

@NASAIAC @lynnjrothschild Tempted to apply but want to hear more or ask some questions first?

NIAC is hosting a WebEx virtual forum on August 22 from 1-3pm ET. Details: nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewr… [PDF].

Or, you’re encouraged to email your questions to [e-mail] before August 21. (10/12)

@NASAIAC @lynnjrothschild Disclosure: I am an advisor to NIAC along with these fine people: nasa.gov/directorates/s…

I also created niacfellows.org as an unofficial helpful guide to applying to NIAC.

But! I do not review the proposals and have no say in the selection of awards. (11/12)

@NASAIAC @lynnjrothschild …this means I am free to encourage YOU to take this shot and apply, no matter your gender.

But you can help me and help the program -

Tag women (ww, woc, trans women, non-binary folx) in this thread who you think should apply! (12/12)

@NASAIAC @lynnjrothschild I’m tagging @wendy_okolo @jenblank @IceMicrobes @robotsmarts @robot_MD @nervous_jessica @upulie @astro_microbe @kennicosmith @ariel_ekblaw @DSSLim @moogega @FromCaliToMars @ltelkins @NikkyMill @KakaniKatija

...I encourage u to consider applying to this! You all do amazing work.