Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH18ZEA001N ULI2
D.4 University Leadership Initiative 2 (ULI2) is a NASA Headquarters aeronautics research funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NNH18ZEA001N ULI2) designed to put universities in a true leadership role. The program is aimed at university-led teams that can set the agenda for high-impact aeronautics research by identifying a compelling technical challenge, building a multidisciplinary plan to address it, and showing strong organizational leadership in how the work will be managed, reviewed, and executed. A central idea of ULI2 is that the proposing team is not just responding to a narrowly defined problem statement; instead, the university team is expected to propose a unique challenge and then define an integrated solution approach that can strengthen research outcomes through thoughtful collaboration, peer review, and innovative teaming strategies.
NASA is seeking proposals across eight topic areas aligned with major strategic thrusts in aeronautics. These include: (1) Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations (Strategic Thrust 1), focusing on scaling air transportation safely and efficiently as demand increases worldwide; (2) Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft (Strategic Thrust 2), centered on advancing technologies and concepts that enable practical supersonic flight for commercial use; (3) Subsonic Transport (Strategic Thrust 3a), which targets improvements to conventional aircraft performance, efficiency, emissions, noise, and operations; (4) Civil Aircraft that Incorporate Vertical Lift Capability (Strategic Thrust 3b), addressing civil applications for aircraft that can take off and land vertically and the associated integration and operational challenges; (5) Transition to Alternative Propulsion and Energy (Strategic Thrust 4), emphasizing new propulsion architectures and energy sources that can reduce dependence on traditional fuels and improve sustainability; (6) Real-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance (Strategic Thrust 5), aimed at methods and technologies that can monitor and assure safety across the airspace system in real time; (7) Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation (Strategic Thrust 6), focusing on autonomy that is trustworthy, robust, and certifiable for aviation use; and (8) Materials and Structures for Next-Generation Aerospace Systems, which concentrates on advanced structural concepts, materials, and manufacturing approaches needed for future aircraft and aerospace vehicles. The detailed topic descriptions are referenced as being in Appendix D.4 of the solicitation.
The funding mechanism for ULI2 is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates NASA expects substantial involvement during performance (for example, coordination, collaboration, or technical engagement as the work progresses), rather than a hands-off grant structure. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.002 and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning there is not a narrow applicant category specified in the provided summary, and it is structured for university teams capable of leading major aeronautics research efforts.
ULI2 uses a two-step submission and evaluation process. First, applicants must submit a short, mandatory Step-A proposal. Step-A is used as an initial screen, and only the highest-rated Step-A submissions will receive an invitation to submit a Step-B proposal. The Step-A due date listed is August 27, 2019 (the original closing date). All submissions must be made electronically through NSPIRES, NASA's proposal submission system, so applicants need to be prepared to work within NSPIRES requirements and timelines. NASA also scheduled an Applicant's Workshop for June 27, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, hosted online via the provided link, with instructions to sign in as a "Guest" using a full name, giving prospective applicants a chance to hear clarifications and align their approach with NASA expectations.
In practical terms, the opportunity is intended for university-led consortia that can demonstrate both technical excellence and program leadership: defining a meaningful aeronautics challenge within one of the eight topic areas, proposing a credible multidisciplinary solution path, and showing how the team will maintain rigor through peer review and strong collaboration practices. The solicitation emphasizes research impact, so the most competitive concepts are likely to be those that couple ambitious technical goals with clear coordination, evaluation, and teaming plans that make the work more than a collection of individual research tasks.Apply for NNH18ZEA001N ULI2
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "D.4 University Leadership Initiative 2 (ULI2)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.002.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-05-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-08-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the University Leadership Initiative 2 (ULI2)?
University Leadership Initiative 2 (ULI2) is a NASA Headquarters aeronautics research funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number NNH18ZEA001N ULI2) designed to place universities in a true leadership role. It is built for university-led teams that define a high-impact aeronautics research challenge, set the research agenda around that challenge, and manage a coordinated, multidisciplinary effort to address it.
What is the main goal of ULI2?
The main goal is to enable university-led teams to drive high-impact aeronautics research by proposing a compelling technical challenge and an integrated plan to solve it, while demonstrating strong organizational leadership in how the work will be managed, reviewed, and executed.
How is ULI2 different from a typical research solicitation?
ULI2 is structured around the idea that the proposing university team is not simply responding to a narrowly defined NASA problem statement. Instead, the team is expected to propose its own unique aeronautics challenge within the program's topic areas and then define an integrated solution approach, including collaboration and peer review strategies that strengthen overall research outcomes.
What funding instrument does ULI2 use?
ULI2 uses a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates NASA expects substantial involvement during performance, such as coordination, collaboration, or technical engagement as the work progresses, rather than a more hands-off grant arrangement.
What is the CFDA number and activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.002, and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted in the provided summary. The opportunity is structured for university teams capable of leading major aeronautics research efforts, including demonstrating technical excellence and program leadership.
Is ULI2 intended for individual investigators or teams?
ULI2 is intended for university-led teams, including consortia, that can build and execute a multidisciplinary plan and demonstrate leadership in organization, coordination, and execution.
What is NASA looking for in a strong ULI2 proposal?
NASA is looking for proposals that (1) identify a meaningful, high-impact aeronautics technical challenge within one of the topic areas, (2) present a credible multidisciplinary solution path, and (3) show strong leadership and rigor through thoughtful collaboration, peer review, and innovative teaming strategies. The emphasis is on research impact and integrated execution rather than disconnected individual tasks.
What are the topic areas for ULI2 proposals?
NASA is seeking proposals across eight topic areas aligned with major strategic thrusts in aeronautics:
- Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations (Strategic Thrust 1)
- Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft (Strategic Thrust 2)
- Subsonic Transport (Strategic Thrust 3a)
- Civil Aircraft that Incorporate Vertical Lift Capability (Strategic Thrust 3b)
- Transition to Alternative Propulsion and Energy (Strategic Thrust 4)
- Real-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance (Strategic Thrust 5)
- Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation (Strategic Thrust 6)
- Materials and Structures for Next-Generation Aerospace Systems
Where are the detailed topic descriptions provided?
The detailed topic descriptions are referenced as being in Appendix D.4 of the solicitation.
What does "Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 1) focuses on scaling air transportation safely and efficiently as worldwide demand increases.
What does "Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 2) centers on advancing technologies and concepts that enable practical supersonic flight for commercial use.
What does "Subsonic Transport" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 3a) targets improvements to conventional aircraft performance, efficiency, emissions, noise, and operations.
What does "Civil Aircraft that Incorporate Vertical Lift Capability" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 3b) addresses civil applications for aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, including integration and operational challenges.
What does "Transition to Alternative Propulsion and Energy" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 4) emphasizes new propulsion architectures and energy sources that reduce dependence on traditional fuels and improve sustainability.
What does "Real-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 5) is aimed at methods and technologies that can monitor and assure safety across the airspace system in real time.
What does "Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation" focus on?
This topic (Strategic Thrust 6) focuses on autonomy that is trustworthy, robust, and certifiable for aviation use.
What does "Materials and Structures for Next-Generation Aerospace Systems" focus on?
This topic concentrates on advanced structural concepts, materials, and manufacturing approaches needed for future aircraft and aerospace vehicles.
How does the submission process work for ULI2?
ULI2 uses a two-step submission and evaluation process. Applicants must first submit a short, mandatory Step-A proposal. Only the highest-rated Step-A submissions will be invited to submit a Step-B proposal.
Is Step-A required?
Yes. Step-A is described as short and mandatory, and it serves as an initial screening step.
Does submitting Step-A guarantee an invitation to submit Step-B?
No. Only the highest-rated Step-A submissions will receive an invitation to submit a Step-B proposal.
What is the Step-A due date listed in the summary?
The Step-A due date listed is August 27, 2019 (the original closing date).
How must proposals be submitted?
All submissions must be made electronically through NSPIRES, NASA's proposal submission system.
What is NSPIRES?
NSPIRES is NASA's electronic proposal submission system, and applicants are expected to work within its requirements and timelines for submission.
Was there an applicant workshop for this opportunity?
Yes. NASA scheduled an Applicant's Workshop for June 27, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, hosted online via the provided link.
How were applicants instructed to join the workshop?
Prospective applicants were instructed to sign in as a "Guest" using a full name.
What was the purpose of the applicant workshop?
The workshop was intended to provide clarifications and help prospective applicants align their approach with NASA expectations.
What kind of team structure does ULI2 encourage?
ULI2 encourages university-led consortia that can demonstrate technical excellence and program leadership, including building multidisciplinary plans and using collaboration, peer review, and innovative teaming strategies to strengthen outcomes.
What does NASA emphasize about research impact in ULI2?
The solicitation emphasizes research impact. The most competitive concepts are likely those that combine ambitious technical goals with clear coordination, evaluation, and teaming plans so the effort functions as an integrated program rather than a set of isolated research tasks.
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