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iss065e085491 (June 3, 2021) NASA astronaut and Expedition 65 Flight Engineer Megan McArthur loads protein crystallography plates with protein solutions for the Real time Protein Crystal Growth experiment. The biotechnology study demonstrates new methods for producing high quality protein crystals in microgravity. Results may help identify new targets and develop better drugs to treat a variety of diseases on Earth and advance the commercialization of low Earth orbit.

Media Credit: Image courtesy of NASA

NLRA 2024-1: In-Space Production Applications: Tissue Engineering and Biomanufacturing

NLRA open period: 10/4/2023 – 3/11/2024

The purpose of this ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA) is to solicit proposals for applied research and development seeking to demonstrate space-based biomanufacturing activities in microgravity. Flight projects selected via this research announcement may be awarded funding to enable support for development and mission integration and operations for projects that will be implemented on the ISS.

CASIS, in coordination with NASA, has identified multiple ISS National Lab lines of business that support strategic priorities and programmatic focus areas aimed at bringing value to our nation and enabling a robust and scalable market in low Earth orbit. For the in-space production line of business, research concepts are desired for which space-based testing can uniquely enable technical solutions to known science and engineering challenges and the creation of new products and business opportunities.  The objective is to use the unique ISS environment to develop, test or mature products and processes that have a demonstrated potential to produce near-term, positive direct or indirect economic impact.

This research announcement will follow a two-step proposal submission process. Before being invited to submit a full proposal, all interested investigators must first complete and submit for review a Step 1: Concept Summary.

APPLICANT RESOURCES
View Applicant Resources for ISS National Lab Research Opportunities

WEBINAR

  • Step 1.1: Download NLRA Step 1 Instructions

    • The deadline for submission has passed

    Download Step 1 Instructons

  • Step 1.2: Concept Summary Submission

    Concept summaries must be submitted electronically using the concept summary submission portal. To access the portal, press the “Click to Submit” button below.

    Click to Submit

  • Step 2.1: Download Step 2 Instructions and Required Forms (Invitation Only)

    CASIS will notify all offerors of the review results of their Step 1: Concept Summary.

    Download Step 2 Required Forms

    Full proposal development periods for Invited Step 2: Full Proposals

    • Step 2: Full Proposal Due Date: March 11, 2024

  • Step 2.2: Full Proposal Submission

    If you were invited to submit a Step 2: Full Proposal, upload your submission by pressing the “Click to Submit” button below. Please convert your document to a PDF prior to uploading. Offerors should ensure they are using a current version of Adobe Acrobat to create their PDF and that uploaded documents do not include Flash content.

    Upload Step 2 Submission

Thank you for your interest in conducting research on the ISS National Lab! For questions regarding this research announcement, please contact [email protected] and reference NLRA2024-1 in the subject line.

** Please verify that none of the information submitted is subject to the export control laws of the United States, such as the EAR or the ITAR; if any information is subject to such laws, please mark all pages containing such information and identify the appropriate export control jurisdiction and classification. **

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