Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST 2017)

Announcement of Opportunity

Publication date: November 27, 2017

Application deadline: January 19, 2018

1. Introduction

The objective of the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is to support Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions research projects that offer hands-on experience in space-like missions to Canadian Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) and more precisely to students and young researchers (post-doctoral fellows or PDFs) in order to acquire competencies required by the marketplace.

The primary result sought from this opportunity is to attract and train Canadian HQP to build capacity to enable Canada's future competitiveness and productivity in the space sector.

Building Canadian capacity in space science and technology is a priority for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Canada must develop and maintain a robust and experienced workforce within industry, academia, and government in order to continue playing an active role in future space missions and contributing to Canada's economic growth. Opportunities to participate in a space mission, including developing and using scientific instruments for satellites, the International Space Station (ISS) or other space-based platforms, are infrequent, but when a space mission activity is approved, a team with expertise and experience must be quickly formed to meet challenging schedule constraints driven by launch or market opportunities.

"Space-like missions" are projects that allow space experts in academia to propose interesting research suitable to maintain their expertise, attract and train the next generation of space professionals, and prepare future space missions. These projects consist generally of:

• Designing, building, modifying or testing scientific instruments or technologies;
• Using them in a simulated space environment, or flying them on suborbital or miniature orbital platforms (nanosatellites);
• Developing new approaches to use efficiently technology or applications in space or for space; and when appropriate,
• Conducting data acquisition and/or analysis to address scientific and/or operational objectives.

"Space-like missions" also have the sense of fidelity to actual space mission requirements, operations and/or constraints. Where space-like missions proposed under this AO also contribute to validation of space missions currently in orbit, or reduction in risk for anticipated future space missions, the fidelity of the training experience is increased for students and Post-doctoral fellows (PDFs), and results of such space-like missions contribute more directly to research priorities for Canada.

"Simulated space environment" includes ground-based infrastructure and instruments simulating a microgravity or spacecraft environment, environment simulating the space environment, remote-sensing infrastructure located in remote environment, or simulating the remote and isolation of spaceflight and fieldwork conducted on Earth at analogue sites that replicate some features and/or processes that could be found on other planetary bodies and asteroids, or that replicate some operational constraints encountered on space missions. Typically, for Earth system and solar-terrestrial sciences research projects, the use of remote-sensing infrastructure in remote locations is highly relevant to testing and validation of scientific instruments in orbit, while for planetary surface missions, activities at analogue sites are necessary to understand and validate surface operations needs for instruments and systems.

Analogue sites, ground-based infrastructure simulating microgravity, remote-sensing infrastructure located in remote environments, and suborbital platforms are ideal environments to conduct space-like missions, providing students and PDFs with unique educational opportunities to obtain practical experience in projects related to all aspects of space-based mission experiments. Since these projects are relevant to the length of time required to complete master's and PhD programs, they present students with an excellent opportunity to acquire hands-on experience prior to entering the Canadian job market.

This AO is consistent with the terms and conditions of the CSA Class Grant and Contribution (G&C) Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology – Research Component.

Applicants are asked to read the following AO thoroughly before submitting their applications. This AO was prepared to help applicants complete the application process, and outlines key elements, including mandatory criteria for eligibility, details on eligible projects and the selection process. In the event of any discrepancies between this AO and the individual funding agreements governing a project, the latter document(s) will take precedence.

2. AO Objectives

The FAST AO 2017 main objectives are to:

• Develop and maintain a critical mass of researchers and HQPs in space-related areas in Canada;
• Increase the level of student employability by exposing them to practical experiences that enable them to acquire space science and technology knowledge and skills sought by, among others, the industry; and
• Increase scientific knowledge and/or develop new technologies.

3. Eligibility Criteria

3.1 Eligible Recipients

• Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions.

3.2 Eligible Projects

To be eligible, it is mandatory that a project address the following elements, which are further described in Sections 3.2.1 to 3.2.7. For instance, projects must include:

• Involvement of at least three Canadian HQP in a space-like mission or space-related project through training activities (under funding category A: 7 HQP, category B: 5 HQP and category C: 3 HQP – see Section 3.2.4);
• A training plan;
• Activities related to specific research priorities identified for this FAST AO (see Section 3.2.3);
• A funding request falling into one of the three identified funding categories (see Section 3.2.4); and
• Activities that will be linked to CSA G&C Program Objectives (see Section 3.2.5).

In addition, projects proposed under the funding category A (see Section 3.2.4) must include:

• A planned field campaign at an analogue site, the use of specific ground-based infrastructure or a planned suborbital/orbital flight during the period covered by the grant agreement; and
• The use of a space technology or scientific instrument during an orbital/suborbital flight, during fieldwork or at a ground-based infrastructure (see Section 3.2.6).

Different Canadian universities or post-secondary institutions could submit separate proposals for the same flight or field mission. In such instance, each proposal must have distinct technology development or scientific activities and involve different Canadian HQP.

Applicants are not allowed to break down a project into numerous phases of a project in order to obtain more than the maximum grant under this AO. Furthermore, even if the maximum funding for one project is not reached, the completion of a funded phase does not guarantee funding of the subsequent phases under future AO.

3.2.1 Eligible HQP

For this AO, Canadian HQP includes:

• College students;
• Undergraduate students;
• Graduate students (master's and PhD levels);
• PDFs.

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that increase the representation and advancement of women in the space sciences and engineering, as one means to foster excellence in research and training. Applicants should strive for a balanced gender representation in the group of trainees and in their supervisors, role models and mentors. If the discipline of the proposed projects tends to have a gender imbalance in the trainee population, applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate that this imbalance has been considered and addressed in their plan for trainee recruitment.

3.2.2 Training Plan

Proposals must include a detailed training plan that outlines how hands-on experience will enable Canadian HQP to develop some or all of the following skills:

• Project management (resourcing, scheduling, compliance with budgets);
• Industrial design;
• Mechanical, optical or electrical engineering systems;
• Payload assembly, integration, testing and operation;
• Software development;
• Data collection and analysis;
• Interpersonal communication and leadership;
• Problem solving; and/or
• Design and implementation of science investigations.

The level and content of training should be appropriate to the research discipline, whether it is related to science or engineering, and should include opportunities for interaction and collaboration with other researchers inside and outside the organization, where appropriate.

The CSA strongly encourages collaborative research activities involving academia, industry, and foreign researchers. In collaborative research activities involving industry, HQP training may be enhanced by exposure to an industrial working environment. Similarly, industry personnel may benefit from being involved in academic research.

3.2.3 FAST AO Research Priorities

Eligible projects will have to focus on at least one (1) research disciplines and one (1) research priorities included in the following table:

3.2.4 Funding Categories

Eligible projects will have to fall within one of the following funding categories, which are further described in Section 6.1:

• Category A: Maximum grant of $400,000 for a duration of up to three years for an end-to end space-like mission project which will include technology development, use of the technology during a flight or a field deployment and, data collection and analysis (see Section 3.2.7);
• Category B: Maximum grant value of $200,000 for a duration of up to three years for an end-to-end or any phase of an end-to-end space-like mission project;
• Category C: Maximum grant value of $100,000 over two or three years for a small space-related research project.

3.2.5 Links to CSA G&C Program Objectives

To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to at least one of the following CSA G&C Program objectives:

• Support the development of science and technology relevant to the priorities of the CSA and particularly those defined specifically for this AO;
• Foster the continuing development of a critical mass of researchers and HQP in Canada in areas relevant to the priorities of the CSA.

3.2.6 Eligible Research Platforms, Ground-based Infrastructure and Analogue Sites (for funding Category A - see Section 3.2.4)

The following platforms, ground-based infrastructures or field sites will be considered for the implementation of projects, either in Canada or abroad:

3.2.6.1 Suborbital/Orbital Platforms

• Stratospheric and/or high-altitude balloons;
• Aircraft and/or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle;
• Aircraft conducting parabolic flights;
• Sounding rockets; and
• Nanosatellites or CubeSats (maximum mass of 10 kg).

3.2.6.2 Field Sites

• Analogue sites that replicate some features and/or processes that could be found on Mars, the Moon, and other planetary bodies and asteroids; and
• Remote, isolated laboratories or institutions which are suitable for psychological or social research relevant to human spaceflight.

3.2.6.3 Ground-based Infrastructure

• Terrestrial prototypes of stationary or mobile planetary exploration surface structure e.g., planetary rover, landers;
• Astronomical observatory infrastructure;
• Remote sensing infrastructure located in a remote environments;
• Microgravity simulation infrastructure;
• Scientific instruments similar as an instrument on board a spacecraft;
• Environmental test chambers, including those simulating the pressure, temperature, humidity, wind, atmospheric composition, and/or regolith environment of planetary bodies;
• Infrastructures or health monitoring instruments that simulate some components or conditions of human spaceflight (e.g.: isolation and confinement, EVA, operational environment, living and working conditions); and
• Radiation facilities.

If your project includes the use of a flight, fieldwork, infrastructure, scientific instrument, or data analysis, you should detail in your project description any mitigation measures you will undertake to address the risk associated with the availability of those elements and the impact on the achievement of your project.

Annex A lists examples on research platforms, ground-based infrastructure or analogue sites that could be used for projects related to Earth system science, Atmospheric science, solar terrestrial sciences or space life science.

3.2.7 Additional Information on End-to-end Space-like Mission Projects

End-to-end projects are mandatory under funding category A (see Section 3.2.4) but could also be proposed under funding category B and C without being mandatory for these categories. An end-to-end project usually includes the following activities:

• Project/mission planning, management and operation;
• Feasibility assessment;
• Technical requirements definition, design, construction, integration and testing of innovative instruments or technologies that show promise for future satellite missions;
• Technology commissioning, calibrating and validating;
• At least one airborne, space-based and ground-based campaign:
  • To demonstrate technical capabilities of the instruments,
  • To demonstrate scientific or operational value of the new observations,
  • To enhance scientific understanding of the processes being observed;
• Flight operations and technology recovery or field deployment management; and
• Activities related to experiments, such as collecting and analyzing data.

3.3 Access to Research Platforms

Through this AO, the CSA is soliciting proposals that may require, among others, the use of suborbital platforms or other research platforms. Applicants may take advantage of opportunities that could be available free of charge or at a relatively low cost through this AO or through other space agencies calls for proposals. Examples of such opportunities are listed below and describe in Annex B:

1. Access through the CSA to the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) Stratospheric Balloons ;
2. Through the European Space Agency (ESA) Education Office, access to hypergravity centrifuges, drop towers, sounding-rockets, stratospheric balloons, parabolic flights, CubeSat development, and launch opportunities (including engineering support, verification and testing), and access to the ESA Academy for student training;
3. Access through CSA to National Research Council Canada's Falcon-20 aircraft for reduced gravity flights;
4. Access to MASER 14 Microgravity Rocket flight; and
5. Access to CSA rovers & facility for field investigations.

4. Applications

4.1 Required Documentation

The application must include the following:

• A completed original application form signed by the duly authorized representative;
• One hard copy of the proposal;
• A copy of the document(s) confirming the legal name of the applicant;
• Letters from other funding contributors confirming their contributions, if applicable;
• Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the Applicant Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act section included in the application form);
• For organizations in Quebec, M-30 Supporting Documentation form completed and signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the M-30 form for organizations in Quebec included in the application form); and
• A single PDF-formatted file containing copies (identical to the paper copies) of all the above-requested documents with all security features disabled on standard electronic media (USB memory key, CD, or DVD). The proposal must be included in the file as a searchable PDF-formatted document (PDF/A-1a format preferred). If there is any discrepancy between the hard and the soft copies, the hard copy takes precedence.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that his/her application complies with all relevant federal, provincial and territorial legislation and municipal by laws. Applications must be mailed to the CSA at the following address:

Applicants must also take note of the following:

• Proposals must be received at the CSA no later than 2:00 p.m. (EST), January 19, 2018;
• Applications sent by email will not be accepted;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the FAQ Section of this AO (see Section 9). The CSA will answer questions received before December 15, 2017.

4.2 Service Standards for this AO – Complete Applications

Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions regarding their application. Selected applications will be announced on the CSA website. The CSA has set the following service standards for delays in processing requests, acknowledgements of receipt, funding decisions and payment procedures.

Acknowledgement: The CSA's goal is to acknowledge receipt of proposals within two weeks following the AO's closing date.

Decision: The CSA's goal is to respond to the proposal within eleven weeks of the AO's closing date and to send a grant agreement for signature within four weeks after formal approval of the proposal.

Payment: The CSA's goal is to issue payment within four weeks of the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the grant agreement.

Compliance with these service standards is a shared responsibility. Applicants must submit all required documentation in a timely fashion.

5. Evaluation

5.1 Eligibility Criteria

Applications will first be assessed for an eligibility assessment to determine if each of them:

• Represents an eligible recipient as defined in Section 3.1;
• Represents an eligible project as defined in Section 3.2; and
• Meets program funding provisions defined in Section 6.1.

5.2 Evaluation Criteria

Once the eligibility assessment is completed, applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Benefits to Canada;
• Results in terms of contribution to the training of Canadian HQP;
• Resources; and
• Project feasibility.

Table 2 below shows the definition and a breakdown of all evaluation criteria, which are further described in Annex C. Applicants should carefully address each of them when writing their proposals. Please note that an application must receive an overall minimum score of 70% as well as minimum specified thresholds to be considered for funding.

5.3 Evaluation Process

Only applications that have passed the eligibility assessment listed in Section 5.1 will be given further consideration.

Once the eligibility criteria are confirmed, evaluators will assess the screened applications according to the criteria listed in Section 5.2. Evaluators shall be experts in the fields relevant to the applications and may include representatives of Canada and other countries, and representatives of other government and non-government agencies and organizations. If applicable, a multidisciplinary evaluation committee will be formed to evaluate interdisciplinary applications.

An application must receive an overall minimum score of 70% as well as minimum thresholds specified in Table 2 to be considered for funding.

Before a final decision is made, the CSA's Program Manager responsible for this AO may seek input and advice from other organizations, including (but not limited to) federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government agencies and organizations.

A review committee will make an overall selection based that would reflect the priorities of the Government of Canada and the CSA (e.g. regional distribution, university and post-secondary institution distribution). Grants agreements will be offered to the applicants in this final list in the order of the proposals to maximize the use of available funding.

6. Funding

6.1 Available Funding and Duration

Payments of transfer will be done through grant agreements. The total funding available under this AO is currently expected to be approximately $6 million. The three categories of funding are:

• Category A: Maximum grant of $400,000 for a duration of up to three years for an end-to-end space-like mission project which will include technology development, use of the technology during a flight or a field deployment and, data collection and analysis; the maximum amount available per year is $200,000.
• Category B: Maximum grant of $200,000 for a duration of up to three years for an end-to-end or any phase of an end-to-end space-like mission project; the maximum amount available per year is $100,000.
• Category C: Maximum grant of $100,000 over two or three years for small space-related research project; the maximum amount available per year is $50,000.

The following table explains the total estimated envelope for each category:

The CSA will ensure to fund at least one project per research discipline defined in Section 3.2.3. Unused funding from either category will be transferable to the other. The overall number of grants awarded and their funding level will depend on the availability of funds and results from the evaluation process.

Before each installment, the CSA Program Manager will reassess the recipient's eligibility and review the recipient's progress report.

Given the objectives of this AO and the limited available budget, a Principal Investigator (PI) can only submit one proposal in response to this AO (although an eligible recipient (the institution) may submit more than one application). An eligible recipient can submit only one application for the same project. However, two or more PIs from different institutions can apply separately for the same mission or project if their separate applications concern the development of distinct technologies or scientific research. It is expected that HQP to be involved in these separate applications will not be the same.

Approved proposals will be eligible for a total amount of government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) of up to 100% of total project costs.

To determine the amount of funding to be allocated, consideration will be given to the availability of CSA funds, the total cost of the project, and the other confirmed sources of funds provided by other stakeholders and the applicant. The CSA reserves the right to reject any proposals or reduce the amount of the grants at its entire discretion.

Applicants must identify all sources of funding in their applications and confirm this information in a funding agreement if the project is selected for funding. Upon completion of a project, the recipient must also disclose all sources of funding.

6.2 Eligible Costs

Eligible costs are direct expenses that are associated with the delivery of the approved project and that are required to achieve the expected results of the project. Expenses will be covered subject to the applicant signing a grant agreement with the CSA.

Eligible costs for a grant under this AO are the following:

• Access fees;
• Accommodation and meal allowances;
• Acquisition, development and printing of materials;
• Acquisition or rental of equipment (a maximum of 30% of the CSA grant could be used for laboratory instruments);
• Aircraft and watercraft charter services;
• Bursaries;
• Consultant services (not to exceed 30% of the CSA grant value);
• Costs for carrying out environmental screening and/or impact studies;
• Costs related to obtaining security clearance;
• Data acquisition;
• Data management;
• Laboratory analysis services;
• License and permit fees;
• Launcher services;
• Marketing and printing services;
• Materials and supplies;
• Overhead (administrative) costs (not to exceed 10% of eligible costs);
• Participation fees at conferences, committees and events;
• PST, HST and GST net of any rebate to which the recipient is entitled and the reimbursement of any taxes for goods and services acquired in a foreign country net of any rebate or reimbursement received in the foreign country;
• Publication and communication services;
• Registration fees;
• Salaries and benefits (salaries paid to others than students shall not exceed 30% of total CSA grant value);
• Training;
• Translation services; and
• Travel.

7. Funding Agreements

7.1 Payments

The CSA and each successful applicant (the recipient) will sign a grant funding agreement. This is a condition for any payment made by the CSA with respect to the approved project.

Payments will be made in a lump sum or instalments as described in the signed agreement. Grant funding agreements will include a clause stipulating the recipient's obligation to confirm, once a year in the case of multi-year agreements, their eligibility for the G&C Program – Research Component, and inform the CSA in writing of any changes to the conditions used in determining their eligibility for this component.

7.2 Audit

The recipient of a grant shall keep proper records of all documentation related to the funded project, for the duration of the project and for six (6) years after the completion date of the project, in the event of an audit. This documentation shall be available upon request.

7.3 Conflict of Interest

In the funding agreement, the recipient will certify that any current or former public office holder or public servant it employs complies with the provisions of the relevant Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders and the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector respectively.

7.4 Intellectual Property

All intellectual property developed by the recipient in the course of the project shall vest in the recipient.

7.5 Organizations in Quebec

An organization in Quebec whose operations are partially or fully funded by the province of Quebec may be subject to the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif, R.S.Q., Chapter M-30.

Under Sections 3.11 and 3.12 of this Act, certain entities/organizations, as defined in the meaning of the Act, such as municipal bodies, school bodies, or public agencies, must obtain authorization from the Secrétariat aux relations canadiennes du Québec, as indicated by the Act, before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada, its departments or agencies, or a federal public agency.

Consequently, any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining such authorization before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada.

Quebec applicants must complete, sign and include the M-30 Supporting Documentation form with their application.

7.6 Outcomes and Performance Measurement

This AO is expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Increase the skills of Canadian HQP in space-related research disciplines;
• Expand knowledge in space science and/or technology areas of priority via research projects;
• Establish and/or maintain partnerships, particularly with industry and foreign researchers;
• Leverage partner contributions; and
• Increase the number of Canadian HQP active in space-related research disciplines.

By contributing to maintaining excellence in key capabilities and to inspiring Canadians, this AO will address key principles of Canada's Space Policy Framework. It will enable Canadian HQP to be well prepared to participate in future space missions while developing their skills and acquiring new scientific and technical knowledge, thus helping ensure the strategic and sustained utilization of space in Canada.

The CSA will ask the recipients to report on certain aspects of their projects such as:

Knowledge Creation

• Knowledge production (including publications)
• Presentations
• Intellectual property (including patents)

Capacity Building

• Project's research team (including HQP supported)

Collaboration

• Partners' contributions
• Partnerships
• Multidisciplinarity

As a courtesy, the CSA would like to receive a copy of publications arising from the work, and to be informed in advance of significant press releases or media interest resulting from the work.

8. Privacy Notice Statement

The CSA will comply with the federal Access to Information Act and Privacy Act with respect to applications received. By submitting personal information, an applicant is consenting to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Privacy Notice Statement, which explains how the applicant's information will be managed.

Necessary measures have been taken to protect the confidentiality of the information provided by the applicant. This information is collected under the authority of the CSA Class G&C Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology – Research Component, and will be used for the evaluation and selection of proposals. Personal information (such as contact information and biographical information) included in the rejected proposals will be stored in a CSA Personal Information Bank for five (5) years and then destroyed (Personal Information File no. ASC PPU045). Personal information included in the successful proposals will be kept along with the proposal results for historical purposes. These data are protected under the Privacy Act. According to the Privacy Act, the data linked to an individual and included in the proposal being evaluated can be accessed by the specific concerned individual who has rights with respect to this information. This individual may, upon request,

1. be given access to his/her data and
2. have incorrect information corrected or have a notation attached.

Applicants shall note that for all agreements over $25,000, information related to the funding agreement (amount, grant or contribution, name of the recipient and project location) will be made available to the public on the CSA website.

For additional information on privacy matters prior to submitting a proposal, please contact:

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

It is the responsibility of the applicants to obtain clarification of the requirements contained herein, if necessary, before submitting an application.

For any questions related to the AO, applicants shall use the following generic email address lecedessetc-thegandccoe@asc-csa.gc.ca. Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the FAQ Section of this AO. The CSA will respond to questions received before 5:00 p.m. (EST), December 15, 2017.

At any point, applicants are welcome to share with the CSA their comments or suggestions regarding the AO, the program or the process. Applicants may either use the generic email address or the generic web-based Comments and Suggestions Box.

Annex A – Examples of Sites and Infrastructures for Earth System Science, Atmospheric science, Solar-Terrestrial Science, and Space Lifeand Health Science Research Projects

This annex lists examples by Research Discipline of sites, infrastructures and instruments that could be considered for projects.

1. Examples of Sites and Infrastructures for Earth System Sciences, Atmospheric science and Solar-Terrestrial Sciences Disciplines:

Sites listed in the 2013 Geospace Observatory (GO) Canada – Instruments and Data Announcement Opportunity:

Other eligible sites and infrastructures could be located in the north of the southern limit of the discontinuous permafrost zone, including for instance the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS), Cambridge Bay, NU, and the Polar Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Eureka, NU.

2. Examples of Sites and Infrastructures for Space Life and Health Sciences^{Footnote 1}

Examples of research platforms, ground-based infrastructures instruments and analogue sites that would be required to address one or more of the risks related to human space flights mentioned below in Table 1:

• Suborbital/orbital platforms and instruments mentioned in Section 3.2.6.1;
  • Studies using small animals (such as nematodes), cells or microorganisms and collecting in situ data on impacts of radiation or microgravity.
• Ground-based infrastructure and instruments simulating microgravity environment:
  • Drop-Towers, human or animal centrifuges,
  • Microgravity simulation using rotating wall bioreactors (RWBs) or clinostats,
    • Relevant microbial, cellular, or whole-animal based research;
  • Animal models of unloading:
    • Hindlimb suspension model suspending the rear part of rodent's body for short periods and remove the contact of hind limbs with the ground;
  • Radiation exposure facility:
    • Brookhaven National Lab or other specifically designed facilities used to understand or mitigate space radiation risk,
    • Radiation facilities such as the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor at Chalk River;
  • Isolated, remote field stations or similar environment:
    • Infrastructure or sites simulating the isolated, confined and extreme environments that occur with human spaceflight.

Annex B - Access to Research Platforms

1. Access through the CSA to the CNES Stratospheric Balloons

In 2010, the CSA entered into a 10 year agreement with the France's CNES. This agreement allows the CSA to fly and operate with CNES multiple stratospheric balloons every year for Canada from different locations in the world. Selected grant recipients will be allowed to launch their instruments on these balloons under the CSA STRATOS program.

Altitudes of stratospheric balloons typically range between 32 and 42 km, depending on mission objectives, payload specifications and on weather conditions. Possible balloon launch sites include Timmins, Ontario (mid-latitude); Kiruna, Sweden (Arctic) and Alice Springs, Australia (Desert/South). The CNES balloon launch site for 2018 is Timmins, Ontario.

During a launch campaign, multiple balloon launches are conducted. All launches can accommodate either a single primary payload, multiple secondary payloads or both. As such, applicants will be considered for either a primary slot, or a secondary slot depending on their payload's mass and volume. Typically, a primary payload can weigh up to 1 ton, and a secondary payload can weigh up to 100 kg.

For primary payloads greater than 500 kg, it may be required for grantees to provide their own gondola to accommodate their own payload. If this is the case, neither CNES nor the CSA will be responsible for providing such a gondola, including the structure and pointing systems. However, CSA and CNES can provide the telemetry and telecommunications system (CNES-PASTIS and/or CSA PRISM) that will allow the payload communications system to send data to the ground. In some cases, CSA can also provide a power subsystem, including battery packs and a power distribution capacity.

In the case of secondary payloads, the recipient must provide a self-contained payload that will not interfere with the primary payload. Secondary payloads are opportunity-based; their launch is a function of the volume, mass and power available on the gondola. Although power will be provided by the gondola, there may be special cases where payloads would need to supply their own power. These will be assessed on a case by case basis.

All primary and secondary payloads flying with the CSA/CNES balloons can use the provided telecommunication & telemetry system CNES-PASTIS and/or the CSA PRISM for Position and attitude knowledge. For secondary payloads, the total bandwidth allocation will be shared by all of the instruments onboard.

Once a grant agreement is executed, for STRATOS balloon flight request, the recipient will fill out a questionnaire providing additional information on its payload and the flight requirements. The recipient will subsequently be responsible for ensuring its payload and its gondola (if appropriate) will be ready on time and meets safety and interface requirements, which are outlined in Balloon User Manual. The CSA will carry out an internal technology assessment several months before a balloon campaign to confirm whether or not a proposed payload is ready. The CSA will do its utmost to fly all FAST grant recipient payloads that meet the CSA Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA), interface and schedule requirements, and that are compatible with STRATOS balloon campaign plans and schedule.

Applicants interested in utilizing a STRATOS balloon flight must clearly state so in their application and provide information on their payload as well as their flight preferences (such as period of the year for a flight, launch site and the expected support required by CNES and the CSA). However, the CSA cannot guarantee a flight at the location, period of the year or time of day stated in a recipient's proposal.

All expenses associated with payload and gondola (if applicable) development, testing, integration and shipping, as well as travel and accommodation before, during and after the launch campaign, are the grant recipient's responsibility. Expenses associated with a STRATOS balloon launch, flight operations and payload recovery will be supported by the CSA and therefore should not be included in the budget of the applicant's proposal.

For general information on the CSA's balloon program, please refer to the Stratospheric balloons website.

To obtain a copy of the Balloon User Manual, please send a request to: vites.fast@asc-csa.gc.ca. This document is subject to change at any time. Notice of such changes will be sent only to organizations that would have officially requested a copy of the document.

2. Through the ESA Education Office, access to Hypergravity Centrifuges, Drop Towers, Sounding-rockets, Stratospheric Balloons, Parabolic Flights, CubeSat development, launch opportunities (including engineering support, verification and testing) and access to the ESA Academy for student training

As a Cooperating State of the ESA, Canada has access to different ESA programs and activities. In particular, through ESA Education Office competitive processes, ESA offers to university students the opportunity to access a broad variety of educational programs.

The programs and opportunities offered to university students by ESA Education Office are all dealt under the terms and conditions of the ESA Academy. The ESA Academy programs and activities for university students include:

• Experiments for hypergravity centrifuge facilities, also on human subjects (Spin Your Thesis!, and Spin Your Thesis! Human Edition);
• Experiments for drop tower tests (Drop Your Thesis!);
• Experiments for parabolic flights (Fly Your Thesis!);
• Experiments for sounding-rockets (REXUS), stratospheric balloons (BEXUS)
• Support to CubeSat teams (engineering support, test facilities, and eventually launch and operations); and
• Training and Learning courses

For more information on ESA Education Office visit the ESA Education web portal. For details on the ESA Academy visit the ESA Academy web pages.

3. Access, through CSA, to National Research Council Canada (NRC) Falcon-20 Aircraft for Reduced Gravity Flights

Due to collaboration with the NRC, the CSA has access to the NRC's Falcon 20 aircraft in Ottawa. As such, grant recipients will also be given access to a reduced gravity environment for experimentation. The Falcon 20 will be able to produce multiple short periods of near zero-g acceleration force. Lunar-g and Martian-g can also be simulated using this aircraft.

Depending on the physical properties of the experiment, the Falcon 20 can accommodate multiple payloads and experimenters on board. The Falcon 20 aircraft is also equipped to provide electrical power and a data acquisition system for the payloads. In addition, work space is available on the ground for build-up and checkout of test equipment prior to installation in the aircraft.

It is the responsibility of the recipient to comply with all of the safety procedures, and to ensure that the payload will be ready on time and meets safety and interface requirements, which are outlined in the Falcon 20 user manual available upon request. The CSA and the NRC will do its utmost to accommodate all of the experiments that comply with the multistage approval and review procedure of the NRC.

All expenses associated with payload development, testing, integration and shipping, as well as travel and accommodation before, during and after the flight, are the grant recipient's responsibility. Expenses associated with the flight and the engineering support required from CSA and NRC for payload integration and certification will be supported by the NRC and/or the CSA and therefore should not be included in the budget of the applicant's proposal.

Applicants interested in utilizing the NRC Falcon 20 aircraft must clearly state so in their application.

To obtain a copy of the Falcon 20 User Manual, please send a request to: vites.fast@asc-csa.gc.ca.

4. Access to MASER 14 Microgravity Rocket Flight

A flight opportunity on MASER 14 sounding rocket is available through the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC). The flight is currently planned for Spring 2019 from the ESRANGE base, located in Kiruna, Sweden. This sounding rocket flight will reach an apogee at 270 km and provide approximately 6 minutes of continuous microgravity below 1x10-4g. The available volume for payloads has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 44 cm and a height of 130 cm. The total available mass allocation for this flight opportunity is 100 kg.

It is the responsibility of the recipient to make his arrangement with the SSC with regards to the seat reservation and to comply with all of the safety procedures, and to ensure that the payload will be ready on time and meets safety and interface requirements, which are outlined in the MASER user manual available upon request. All expenses associated with payload development, testing, integration and shipping, as well as travel and accommodation before, during and after the flight, are the grant recipient's responsibility. Expenses associated with the MASER 14 flight ticket are also the grant recipient responsibilities. There is no guarantee that this opportunity will remain available for Canada.

To obtain a copy of the MASER User Manual, please send a request to: vites.fast@asc-csa.gc.ca.

Note: This is not a CSA document. The information is only available in English.

5. Access to CSA Rovers, Infrastructure & Facilities in Saint-Hubert (Quebec) for Field Investigations

In order to facilitate the ground testing and demonstration of planetary exploration technologies, and to support field investigations to prepare Canada for future planetary exploration missions, the CSA has developed an infrastructure and facilities for testing, integration and operations of planetary exploration systems and equipment such as rovers and scientific instruments, in a "mission-like" planetary environment. The facilities include integration labs, test facilities, a planetary analogue site (located at the CSA), a control center and the communications infrastructure necessary to connect various on-site facilities.

The CSA is offering to recipients, subject to availability, its fleet of prototype Planetary Mobility Systems (Rovers) and associated indoor & outdoor Facilities and Infrastructure to support the Testing, Integration and Operations of Planetary Exploration systems and equipment (e.g. Rovers, instruments, payloads). Note that CSA Rovers are also available for use by the Recipient at their remote field sites, if required.

Applicants interested in utilizing CSA assets must clearly state so in their application and provide information on their rover, instrument or payload as well as their schedule. However, the CSA cannot guarantee a specific asset will be available at the location, period of the year or time of day stated in a recipient's proposal.

5.1 Use of CSA Rovers, Infrastructure or Facilities On-site in Saint-Hubert (Quebec)

The CSA will provide, subject to availability, expert engineering and technical staff resources to operate the CSA-provided elements and infrastructure, and support the recipients while on-site at the CSA.

The CSA will also provide the appropriate information to the recipient to ensure that interfaces (e.g. such as those of the rovers) are well understood in order to accommodate recipient instruments or payloads. Instrument or payload interface modifications may be necessary.

5.1.1 Process

Once a project has been selected, the applicant will have to fill out a questionnaire providing additional information on its rover, instrument or payload and the field investigation requirements. The applicant will subsequently be responsible for ensuring its equipment will be ready on time and meets CSA safety and interface requirements, which will be provided by the CSA upon request.

The CSA will carry out an internal technology assessment several months before activities commence to confirm whether or not a proposed rover, instrument or payload is ready. The CSA will do its utmost to accommodate all FAST selected applicant requests that meet the CSA Health & Safety (H&S), Security, interface requirements, and that are compatible with the ongoing CSA plans and schedule for use of its rovers, facilities and infrastructure and technical support resources.

Users of CSA facilities (e.g. Analogue Terrain) will be sent Facility-specific H&S Plan(s) prior to their arrival. Each participant will be asked to respond with an email stating that they have read, understood and will comply with the H&S requirements.

CSA badging will be arranged prior to arrival. Depending on the length of visit and frequency of trips to the CSA, either a Visitor's Badge (Escort required) or a CSA Access Badge (no Escort required) will be issued on-arrival. For CSA Visitor Badges - Canadians need to show ID (e.g. Driver's License) and non-Canadians need to show ID + student/work Visa + Passport). For CSA Access Badges - a Government Security Check will be done including Fingerprinting & Form to be filled and submitted approximately 2 weeks prior to visit.

5.1.2 Agreement

An agreement will have to be signed between CSA and a recipient in order to have access to CSA rovers, infrastructure and facilities. This agreement will include, among other things, clauses relating to the following elements:

• Location (infrastructure and facilities to be used) and supervision of recipient participants;
• Access to CSA Facilities (H&S, security);
• Confidential Information (information handling);
• Intellectual Property (background & foreground); and
• Indemnification & Liability.

5.1.3 Expenses

All expenses associated with the Recipients rover, instrument or payload development, testing, integration and shipping, as well as travel and accommodation before, during and after the field investigation activity, are the Grant recipient's responsibility.

5.2 Use of CSA Rovers at a Remote Location

Applicants requesting access to a CSA rover at a remote location must plan a visit to CSA Head Quarter located in Saint-Hubert (Quebec), as CSA will provide, subject to availability, expert engineering and technical staff resources to train recipients on how to operate the CSA rovers, but only at the CSA Saint-Hubert location.

During that visit, the CSA will work with the recipient to ensure that interfaces are well understood in order to accommodate recipient instruments or payloads. Instrument or payload interface modifications may be necessary.

5.2.1 Loan Agreement

Should the project involve the use of CSA rovers at a remote location, a loan agreement must be signed between CSA and the recipient. The agreement will include, among other things, clauses relating to the following elements:

• Responsibility of the borrower regarding all shipping, handling and storage associated with transporting the rovers to the places where it is to be used by the borrower;
• Responsibility of the borrower regarding the loss of, or damage to, the rovers and the obligation to insure the rovers to the full replacement value;
• Responsibility of the borrower to not modify any parts of the rovers or its software; and
• No transfer by the CSA to the borrower of any associated right or license related to the use of software that is part of the rovers.

5.2.2 Expenses Related to the use of CSA Rovers

All expenses associated with the recipient instrument or payload development, testing, shipping and integration in a rover, as well as travel and accommodation before, during and after the field investigation activity, are the grant recipient's responsibility. This also includes shipment of CSA-rover to the remote field site.

5.3 CSA Rovers & Facilities Overview Descriptions

The following Sections (5.3.1 and 5.3.2) provide a high level description of CSA rovers & facilities.

In order to provide as much information as possible for the AO release date, the following CSA Documents are also being made available on a per-request basis and in an "as-is" state. In some cases, the information contained does not reflect with 100% accuracy the current configuration of the facilities, as some upgrades may have occurred since the documents were prepared. However, the information supplied should be sufficient to provide the applicant with an understanding of the available functionality, capability and general interfaces. Available documentation is listed below:

• CSA Facility Overview Sheets
  • Analogue Terrain (AT)
  • High Bay - Rover Indoor Workspace (RIW)
  • Rover Integration Facility (RIF)
  • Exploration Development & Operations Centre (ExDOC)
  • Portable Command & Control Shelter (PCCS)
  • Exploration Storage Facilty (ESF);
• CSA AT User Guide/Manual;
• CSA Rover(s)-to-Payload Interface Requirements Document; and
• CSA Facility H&S Plans
  • AT
  • High Bay-Rover Indoor Workspace
  • High Bay
  • RIF
  • PCCS
  • Exploration Storage Facility

To obtain a copy of those documents, please send a request to vites.fast@asc-csa.gc.ca.

For any questions on those documents, please refer to Section 9 of the AO.

5.3.1 CSA Fleet of Rovers

For a description of CSAs fleet of rovers.

5.3.2 CSA Facilities

5.3.2.1 ExDOC (Exploration Development & Operations Center)

The ExDOC provides centralized command and control for various technology and science resources deployed at local or remote analogue sites.

It also provides re-distribution of voice, video, and data & control functions to other participating centers e.g. universities, contractors, international partners.

5.3.2.2 AT (Planetary Analogue Terrain)

The CSA-located AT is a 60 X 120 meter outdoor facility offering various surface features and topographies to simulate the planetary surface, such as rock bed, crater, summit, and flag stone patch. This facility is also equipped with situation awareness cameras and WIFI network for the needs of rover and instrument or payload testing and deployment.

5.3.2.3 PCCS (Portable Command & Control Shelter)

This infrastructure provides a controlled & secure environment for conducting remote analogue site deployments i.e. a portable "ExDOC" and can be rapidly deployed and setup.

It measures approximately 10 m (including Hitch) by 3 m by 3 m tall.

Equipped with multiple workstations and satellite & wireless communications equipment.

5.3.2.4 RIF (Rover Integration Facility)

The RIF is both a development and integration & test facility for rovers, payloads and instruments, providing.

• Overall ground-floor space measures 18 m by 7 m
• 3 working bays of approximately 6 m by 7 m
• Mechanical tools and equipment
• Lift & overhead crane
• Electronic laboratory area
• Equipment storage racks
• Office area (mezzanine) with workstations for data, telemetry and commanding within the RIF local network.

5.3.2.5 ESF (Exploration Storage Facility)

Co-located with the AT, the ESF provides a sheltered and secure environment in which to store a variety of rovers and science & technology instruments.

ESF dimensions are 10.4 m by 7 m with 3.2 m ceiling height, providing over 70 square-meters of storage area. It is able to provide storage for up to 20 rovers.

5.3.2.6 RIW (Rover Indoor Workspace)

The RIW is an indoor testing facility located in the CSA High Bay.

It is a somewhat smaller (13.4 m by 11.0 m) version of the AT that is generally used when weather conditions prohibit use of the AT, but provides similar functionality.

Annex C - Scoring and Weighting

A numerical weight is associated with each criterion. It is strongly recommended that applicants draft their proposals by providing information related to each highest score.

Since the main objective of this AO is to train Canadian HQP, some selection criteria relate particularly to the quality of HQP training. High-quality training should attract and equip students for future careers in space science or technology, hence research should benefit Canada (original, relevant to future missions and space opportunities), and results should provide the student with experience, knowledge and skills that are recognized and sought after in the Canadian space sector (industry, academia and/or government).

1. Benefits to Canada

• Max. 30
• Min. 20

1.1 Increased knowledge in space science and technology

This criterion evaluates the originality of the research and its probable impact and potential to advance our knowledge in the field of space science and/or technology, directly or indirectly.

• Is the research original and of high intrinsic merit?
• Does the proposed research have the potential to result in long-term, groundbreaking advances in the field of space science and/or technology? Will the research have broad impact and applications to other fields of study?
• How new are the current stated objectives of the proposed project, and to what degree will they impact our knowledge of space science and/or technology?

1.2 Relevance to the FAST AO research priorities

This criterion evaluates the relevance of the proposed project to at least one of the research priorities listed Section 3.2.3.

• Does the research address a FAST AO research priority?
• Does the project contribute to the development of new ideas that may result in or contribute to future space missions?

2. Results in terms of contribution to the training of Canadian HQP

• Max. 30
• Min. 17

2.1 The relevance of experience, knowledge and skills acquired by Canadian HQP to the Canadian space sector needs

This criterion is used to assess the degree to which experience, knowledge and skills targeted in HQP training are relevant to the Canadian space sector (industry, academia and/or government) needs.

• Is it clear what experience, knowledge and skills are planned to be acquired by each Canadian HQP?
• Is this experience, knowledge and skillset of value to the space sector?
• Will the professional and technical skills planned to be acquired by HQP increase their employability?

2.2 Interaction between Canadian HQP and researchers from different disciplines and occupations

This criterion evaluates how well the project promotes collaborative team research and interaction between Canadian HQP of different levels of academic programs as well as between Canadian HQP and researchers from different disciplines and other occupations from other organizations.

3. Resources

• Max. 20
• Min. 11

3.1 Quality and experience of the project team

This criterion evaluates the quality of the project team (PI, Co-PI or PDFs as applicable), its combination of expertise, and its ability to carry out the research project and provide the proposed training activities. It evaluates the qualifications of the team members and their past performance, particularly their track record in training HQP.

• Have the project team demonstrated experience in the field of study and the proposed training activities?
• Does the project team have comprehensive skill-sets required to undertake the proposed project and training activities?
• Does the project team have a demonstrated ability to manage and complete similar projects?
• Are the roles and responsibilities of each member of the project team defined and correspond to their expertise and experience?
• Do the supervisors have a good training track record?

3.2 Adequacy of allocated resources

This criterion evaluates the quality, quantity and relevance of the human and non-human resources planned to be utilized to meet the project goals and objectives. It evaluates the timely availability of these resources and the adequate allocation of these resources to each specific project task. It also evaluates the existence of collaborators willing to provide financial and/or in-kind contribution, thereby leveraging funds from the CSA.

4. Feasibility of the project

• Max. 20
• Min. 11

4.1 Clarity and completeness of the research and training plans

This criterion evaluates the clarity, completeness and feasibility of the research, training and mentoring plans, with the roles and responsibilities, contribution and level of involvement of each team member clearly identified. The criterion also evaluates the likelihood that the work will be completed on schedule and within budget.

• Is the project methodology clearly described including the methodology, budget, equipment, and timeline for the project?
• Are the training and mentoring plans clearly described and adequate?
• Given the proposed work plan, which should include a methodology, budget, equipment, and timelines for the project, are the objectives likely to be achieved?
• Which actions have been taken to secure the access of a ground-based infrastructure, analogue site or suborbital/orbital platform?

4.2 Project risks (financial, managerial, environmental and technical) and mitigation strategies

This criterion evaluates key risks associated with the project and the mitigation strategies for each risk. In addition, a thorough analysis of the project's financial, technical, managerial and environmental risks should be carried out. Detailed information should be provided on resources availability, risks associated with their non-availability and, the risk and mitigation strategies associated with those risks (level of uncertainties related to the launch date, access to infrastructure, field site, instruments and/or data, agreement with the launch provider, collaboration with industry and foreign research partners).

• Has the applicant identified and described in detail the risks including, but not limited to, the environmental, technical, managerial (including access to financial, human and material resources), and scheduling risks associated with the project?
• Are the mitigation strategies for each risk well thought out and realistic?
• What is the probability that such risks will occur?

Evaluation score

• Total Max. 100
• Total Min. 70^{Footnote 2}