2021 HERO Appendix A: Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions | NNJ21ZSA001N FLAGSHIP

Opportunity Information: Apply for NNJ21ZSA001N FLAGSHIP

The 2021 HERO Appendix A opportunity is a NASA Human Research Program (HRP) solicitation focused on applied research and technology development that directly supports astronaut health and performance during space exploration missions. It is issued under the broader Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNJ21ZSA001N, with this particular call identified as the FLAGSHIP response area. In practical terms, NASA is looking for research that can help close specific human health and performance knowledge gaps that matter for long-duration missions, where the space environment can drive measurable physiological changes that must be understood and mitigated.

This Appendix A call targets one specific research topic: Topic 183, "Characterization of Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture due to Skeletal Unloading." The intent is to improve understanding of how skeletal unloading (the reduced weight-bearing that occurs in microgravity) affects the internal, lattice-like structure of bone known as trabecular bone. Trabecular microarchitecture is important because bone strength and fracture risk are not determined by bone density alone; changes in the microstructure can weaken bone even when other metrics appear relatively stable. For exploration-class missions, where crews may face long periods without normal gravitational loading and then must rapidly re-adapt to partial or full gravity, this type of work supports risk reduction for bone fragility and related performance limitations.

The solicitation is run as a two-step proposal process. Step 1 proposals for Appendix A were due September 1, 2021, and only teams invited by NASA after Step 1 review are eligible to submit Step 2 proposals, which were due December 1, 2021. NASA also scheduled a virtual pre-proposers conference for August 11, 2021, with logistical details provided through NSPIRES, NASA's system for proposal submission and solicitation documentation. Full Appendix A documentation and supporting materials were posted online, with an overview page for the full HERO NRA and a specific link for the FLAGSHIP Appendix A package.

From a funding and award structure standpoint, this opportunity is listed as discretionary federal assistance and may use multiple instrument types depending on the selected approach and NASA's needs, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts. The program is categorized under science and technology research and development and is associated with CFDA number 43.003. The listed award ceiling is $800,000, and NASA anticipated making about two awards under this particular call, signaling a competitive selection with a limited number of funded projects.

Eligibility is broad across U.S. organizations. All categories of U.S. institutions can apply, meaning universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, and other domestic entities are generally eligible, subject to any specific conditions in the full solicitation. Principal Investigators are allowed to form collaborations that include universities, federal laboratories, private sector partners, and state or local government labs. The key administrative point is that the submitting organization remains responsible for managing the project in line with the management plan described in the proposal, even when substantial work is performed by partners or subcontractors.

International participation is addressed in a standard NASA manner: NASA may conduct research with non-U.S. organizations only on a cooperative basis with no exchange of funds. That means foreign partners can contribute expertise or in-kind effort, but the arrangement typically cannot involve NASA paying the non-U.S. entity directly. Applicants are expected to consult the solicitation details for the exact terms, reporting expectations, and contact information.

Overall, this grant opportunity is essentially a targeted NASA HRP research call aimed at improving the evidence base and measurement approaches around microgravity-driven changes in trabecular bone microarchitecture. The broader value to NASA is enabling better risk models, better monitoring methods, and ultimately better countermeasure strategies to protect crew skeletal health across the full mission timeline, from preflight conditioning through in-flight exposure and postflight recovery.

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2021 HERO Appendix A: Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.003.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 30, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 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 $800,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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