NASA Earth & Space Air Prize

Description

What is the NASA Earth & Space Air Prize?

The NASA Earth & Space Air Prize is a public competition being conducted with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The competition focuses on catalyzing the development of easy to maintain, small, and affordable aerosol sensor technology. The competition asks individuals, teams, and organizations that meet the eligibility criteria to design and develop specialized sensor technology that has the potential to be useful in spaceflight as well as on Earth anywhere outdoors in a community where pedestrians may be exposed to airborne particle matter.

Why is this prize focused on aerosol sensor technology?

NASA has identified particulate monitoring as a gap in its technology roadmap to enable future long-term missions. Current technology does not provide the level of sensitivity, the longevity, or the ability to operate in a reduced-gravity environment. The added bonus of this technology demonstration competition is the potential benefit to human health on Earth as well as in space.

How do I apply?

You must first register no later than Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at 5:00 PM Central. Registration is a simple two-step process. First, create a username and password and then check your inbox to confirm your registration. Next, complete the online registration form. Once you are registered, submit your application no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 5:00 PM Central.

How will submissions be assessed?

There will be two rounds of scoring assessment. During the Evaluation Panel review, each valid application will receive scores and comments from a highly qualified panel of expert judges who will use a trait-scoring rubric to assess their assigned submissions. All scores are normalized to ensure a Level Playing Field for everyone. Based on the rank order of submissions as determined by the Evaluation Panel, the three top-scoring submissions will be named as Finalists. Finalists will attend a testing and demonstration period where the Selection Committee will determine the Winner.

What can I win?

The three Finalists will receive an award of $50,000 each to build a functioning sensor according to their submitted proposals. The Winner will receive a $100,000 award.

How long is the prototyping period?

The three Finalists will have six months to build a functioning sensor according to their submitted proposals. Prototypes will be delivered to no later than September 30, 2018.

What will the testing and demonstration period be like?

Up to three team members for each Finalist will attend a three- to five-day demonstration period in October 2018 at the NASA Glenn Research Center. All three prototypes will be tested at once in a chamber and will be exposed to different aerosols. Each team will be required to submit their test results.

What happens to my intellectual property?

While the Proposal Title, Technical Abstract, and Video for your submission may be published on this website, the NASA website, or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website, the ownership and use of intellectual property arising from this competition remains with you. NASA may choose to negotiate for a license to use the solutions developed as a result of this competition.

What are you really looking for?

Solutions that can catalyze the development of easy to maintain, small, and affordable aerosol sensor technology that has the potential to be useful in spaceflight as well as on Earth anywhere outdoors in a community where pedestrians may be exposed to airborne particle matter.