The NAI CAN (Cycle-5) is responsive to the recommendations of the recent NRC study (Assessment of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, 2007, http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ssb/). Proposers will be required to clearly articulate an innovative, interdisciplinary, astrobiology research program, together with plans to advance the full scope of NAI objectives as defined in the Institute's Mission Statement (see NAI website: http://nai.nasa.gov/). Proposers may also choose to focus their research on preparing for strategic mission objectives in astrobiology. NASA anticipates making $10-12M per year available for this selection, leading to at least 7 and possibly several more awards (approximately one-third of which will be focused on preparing for strategic mission objectives), each of 5 years duration.

Participation is open to all categories of organizations (domestic and non-U.S.), including industry, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other Government agencies. Upon its release date, this Cooperative Agreement Notice will be available electronically from http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then select "Open Solicitations" then select "NNH08ZDA002C").

Notices of Intent (NOIs) are due February 22, 2008, and proposals are due April 11, 2008.

Obtain additional programmatic information from: Dr. Carl Pilcher, Director, NASA Astrobiology Insitute, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035; Tel: (650) 604-0022; email: can5@nasa.gov.