Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST 2019)

Announcement of Opportunity

Publication date: July 31, 2019

Application deadline: October 25, 2019

1. Introduction

The objective of this Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) AO is to support the research projects of Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions that will contribute to the development of new scientific knowledge and space technologies, while making it possible for students to acquire hands-on experience in space-like missions.

Building Canadian capacity in space science and technology is a priority for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). In addition to the development of space science technologies and knowledge, 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 the economic growth of the country. 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 business opportunities.

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

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

"Space-like missions" attempt to faithfully reproduce the requirements, operations or constraints of actual space missions. Where space-like missions proposed under this AO also contribute to the validation of space missions currently in orbit or to the reduction in risk for anticipated future space missions, the value of the training experience is increased for students and postdoctoral fellows (PDFs); these activities will therefore contribute more directly to Canada's priorities regarding research.

A "simulated space environment" includes ground-based infrastructure, suborbital or orbital platforms and instruments simulating a microgravity or spacecraft environment; test chambers simulating the space environment; remote sensing infrastructure located in a remote environment, or simulating the remoteness and isolation of spaceflight; and fieldwork conducted at terrestrial 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.

A simulated space environment is an ideal environment to conduct space-like missions, and to provide students and PDFs with learning opportunities allowing them to obtain practical experience in projects related to all aspects of space missions. Since these projects are consistent with the length of time required to complete a master's and doctorate program, 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

In accordance with the Space Strategy for Canada, the main objectives of the FAST AO 2019 are to:

• Develop and maintain a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified personnel (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;
• 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, all research projects must include the following elements:

• Activities related to at least one of the specific research priorities of one of the research disciplines identified for this FAST AO (see Section 3.3);
• Activities that will help deliver on the vision of the Space Strategy for Canada;
• A funding request that falls under one of the two identified funding categories (see Section 6.1);
• The participation of at least five (5) Canadian students in a project funded under Funding Category A, or at least three (3) Canadian students in a project funded under Funding Category B (see Section 3.2.1);
• A training plan (see Section 3.2.2);
• Activities that will be linked to CSA G&C Program Objectives (see Section 3.4).

In addition, a research project proposed under Funding Category A (see Section 6.1) must be an end-to-end space-like mission project (see Section 3.2.3) that includes:

• The development or improvement of a technology;
• Use of the technology during a flight or field deployment;
• Data collection and analysis.

Different universities and post-secondary institutions may submit separate applications for the same project. In such cases, each application must include separate research or scientific activities requiring the participation of different Canadian students and PDFs.

All phases necessary for the completion of a project are eligible for funding. Any logical combination or breakdown of these phases may constitute a project in itself and be eligible for funding. However, applicants are not allowed to break down a project into numerous phases 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 automatically guarantee funding for the remaining phases.

3.2.1 Eligible students

For this AO, eligible Canadian students include:

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

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that increase the representation and advancement of women in 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 students and amongst their supervisors, role models and mentors. If in the research discipline of the proposed project there is a gender imbalance in the student population, applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate that this imbalance has been taken into consideration in their plan for recruitment of students implicated in their project.

3.2.2 Training plan

Applications must include a training plan consisting of the following:

• Detailed information on project activities in which the students will participate and information on the breakdown of tasks. These activities must suit the academic level of the students involved in the research project;
• Information on the method or methods that will be used to supervise the students and which will be adapted to the work to be carried out;
• Information on the knowledge and skills that the students will acquire in some or all of the following fields:
  • Project management (allocation of resources, planning, compliance with budgets);
  • Industrial design;
  • Mechanical, optical or electrical systems engineering;
  • Payload assembly, integration, testing and operation;
  • Software development;
  • Data collection and analysis;
  • Interpersonal communications and leadership skills;
  • Problem-solving;
  • Design and implementation of scientific research.

The training level and content should be tailored to the research discipline, whether science- or engineering-related, and include opportunities to interact and collaborate with other researchers within or outside the educational institution, as applicable.

As outlined in one of the application evaluation criteria, 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 exposing them to an industrial work environment. Similarly, industry personnel may benefit from being involved in academic research.

3.2.3 Additional information on end-to-end projects (for Funding under Category A – see Section 6.1)

It is mandatory to submit an end-to-end project under Funding Category A. An end-to-end project generally includes the following activities:

• Planning, management and operation of a project or mission;
• Feasibility assessment;
• Technical requirements definition, design, assembly, integration and testing of innovative technologies or instruments that show promise for future space missions;
• Commissioning, calibration and validation of the technology;
• At least one airborne, space-based or ground-based campaign aimed at:
  • Demonstrating the technical capabilities of the instruments;
  • Demonstrating the scientific or operational value of the new observations;
  • Enhancing the scientific understanding of the observed processes;
• Flight operations and technology recovery, or field deployment or research site management;
• Activities related to data collection and analysis.

3.2.4 Eligible suborbital/orbital platforms, research sites and ground-based infrastructure (for Funding under Category A - see Section 6.1)

The following suborbital/orbital platforms, research sites or ground-based infrastructures will be considered for the implementation of projects in Canada or abroad:

3.2.4.1 Suborbital/orbital platforms

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

3.2.4.2 Research sites

• Analogue sites that replicate some features and/or conditions that could be found on Mars, the Moon, or on other planetary bodies and asteroids;
• Laboratories or institutions that are suitable for research relevant to human spaceflight.

3.2.4.3 Ground-based infrastructure

• Terrestrial prototypes of stationary or mobile surface structures for planetary exploration (e.g., planetary rovers, landers);
• Astronomical observatory infrastructures;
• Remote sensing infrastructures located in a remote environment;
• Microgravity simulation infrastructures;
• Scientific instruments similar to those on board a spacecraft;
• Environmental test chambers, including those simulating the pressure, temperature, humidity, wind, atmospheric composition and/or regolith of planetary bodies;
• Health monitoring instruments or infrastructures that simulate certain components or conditions of human spaceflight (e.g., isolation and confinement, extra-vehicular activity (EVA), operational environment, living and working conditions);
• Radiation facilities.

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

Annex A provides examples of research platforms, research sites or ground-based infrastructure that could be used for projects pertaining to life sciences and space health.

3.2.5 Access to research platforms

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

1. Access through the CSA to 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 flight opportunities (including support in engineering, verification and testing), and access to the ESA Academy for student training;
3. Access through the CSA to National Research Council Canada (NRC)'s Falcon 20 aircraft for reduced gravity flights;
4. Access to suborbital express flights (MASER rockets) for microgravity research;
5. Access to rovers, infrastructure and facilities at the CSA in St. Hubert, Quebec for field investigations.

3.3 Links to CSA priorities

To be eligible, projects supported for the purposes of this AO must focus on at least one (1) of the research disciplines and one (1) of the research priorities indicated in the following table:

3.4 Links to Grants and Contributions Program objectives

To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to the following CSA Grants and Contributions 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 HQPs in Canada in areas relevant to the CSA's priorities.

4. Submitting an application

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 application;
• The curriculum vitae for each member of the team;
• A detailed implementation schedule for the project;
• A letter of support from each co-investigator;
• 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 included in the application form).
• 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 application 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 copies and the electronic versions, the hard copy takes precedence.

The following documents may be required upon request:

• A copy of the document(s) confirming the legal name of the applicant;
• Letters from other funding contributors confirming their contributions (if applicable).

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application complies with all relevant federal, provincial/territorial and municipal laws.

Applications must be post-mailed to the CSA at the address below:

Please note:

• Applications must be received at the CSA no later than October 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. (ET).
• 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 October 11, 2019.

4.2 Service standards for this AO – Complete applications

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

Acknowledgement of receipt: The CSA's goal is to acknowledge receipt of applications within two (2) weeks following the AO's closing date.

Decision: The CSA's goal is to respond to the application within twenty-eight (28) weeks following the AO's closing date and to send a grant agreement for signature within four (4) weeks after formal approval of the application.

Payment: The CSA's goal is to issue payment within four (4) 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 manner.

5. Evaluation

5.1 Eligibility criteria

Applications will first be submitted for an eligibility assessment to verify whether they comply with the following criteria:

• The applicant is an eligible recipient as defined in Section 3.1;
• The proposed project is an eligible project as defined in Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4;
• The application complies with the funding provisions of the program stated 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 and outcomes;
• Feasibility;
• Resources;
• Risks.

Table 2 below shows the definition and a breakdown of all the evaluation criteria, which are further described in Annex C. Applicants should address each criterion in their application. Please note that an application must receive an overall minimum score of 70% and achieve the 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. The evaluators will be experts in the fields relevant to the applications. Evaluators may include representatives of the Government of Canada and of other countries, as well as representatives of other governmental and non-governmental 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 achieve the minimum thresholds specified in Table 2 in order to be deemed eligible 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 municipal, provincial, territorial and federal governmental agencies and organizations.

A selection committee made up of CSA executive management members will carry out a strategic overall selection based on Government of Canada and CSA priorities, such as:

• Alignment with the identified research priorities;
• Balance between the seven research disciplines mentioned in the AO;
• Regional distribution;
• Diversity among universities and post-secondary institutions;
• Representation of PI who belong to the two following underrepresented groups: women and Aboriginal peoples;
• Support for early career researchers acting as PI (an early career researcher is defined as a candidate who has held an independent university position for a maximum of five years).

6. Funding

6.1 Available funding

Transfer payments will be made through grant agreements. The total funding available under this AO is currently expected to be approximately $3.5 million. The two funding categories are:

• Category A: Maximum grant of $300,000 for a maximum duration of three years for an end-to-end space-like mission project that includes the development or improvement of a technology, use of the technology during a flight, a field deployment or a research site deployment, and data collection and analysis; the maximum amount available per year is $150,000;
• Category B: Maximum grant of $100,000 for two or three years, for a small space-related research project; the maximum amount available per year is $50,000.

The CSA intends to fund at least one project per research discipline defined in Section 3.3. The overall number of grants awarded and their value will depend on the availability of funds and the results of the evaluation process.

Prior to each instalment, the CSA program manager will reassess the recipient's eligibility and review the recipient's progress report.

A recipient's grant agreement may be amended to allow a recipient to fly or use its payload or technology a second time during an additional flight mission or fieldwork campaign. In such a case, the grant agreement would be amended under the same terms and conditions as those set out in the original grant agreement. Under such an amendment, additional funding to support travel and living expenses and related overhead costs may be awarded to a recipient, subject to the availability of funds and an evaluation of the justification provided by the recipient.

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

Approved applications 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 that it will allocate, the CSA will take into account the availability of CSA funds, the total cost of the project, and other confirmed sources of funds provided by other stakeholders and the applicant. The CSA reserves the right to reject any application 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 paid to eligible students;
• Salaries and benefits paid to persons other than students (not to exceed 30% of total CSA grant value);
• Training;
• Translation services;
• Travel expenses.

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 funding agreement 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 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 du Québec aux relations canadiennes (SQRC), as stipulated in 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 Performance measurement

The CSA will require recipients to report on certain elements in their projects, such as the following:

• Creation of knowledge:
  • Advancement of knowledge (including technological breakthroughs, technologies led to a higher level);
  • Production of knowledge (including publications, research reports);
  • Presentations (including conferences, seminars, workshops);
  • Intellectual property (including patents) generated by the project.
• Increased capacity:
  • Project research team (including students and PDFs supported).
• Collaboration:
  • Contribution of partners;
  • Partnerships;
  • Multidisciplinarity.

The CSA will also require recipients to be informed in advance of important press releases or news releases of interest to the media resulting from work related to this AO.

7.7 Open science

The CSA wishes to promote the dissemination of the results of funded projects to the widest possible audience and at the earliest possible opportunity. Greater access to science findings not only allows scientists to use a broader range of resources and knowledge, but also to increase research collaboration and coordination, increase public involvement and support the economy.

The CSA thus encourages recipients to practice open-access publishing and archiving to facilitate the widespread dissemination of the results of projects for which it provides funding. Recipients are therefore invited to publish their articles in a timely manner using one of the following methods:

1. A freely accessible online repository (institution or discipline-based) so that publications are freely accessible;
2. A journal offering free access to articles.

Publication costs are eligible expenses, as defined in Section 6.2. Note that these two methods are not mutually exclusive and that recipients are invited to use both.

Lastly, the CSA wishes to receive complementary copies of publications generated as a result of the allocated funding (if not freely accessible) or the hyperlink (if freely accessible) and its digital object identifier (DOI). The hyperlink and the DOI will be incorporated into the directory of CSA publications generated as a result of allocated funding, and will be made available to the public.

8. Confidentiality

The CSA will manage and protect information provided by applicants under the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. By submitting your personal information, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Confidentiality Statement, which explains how information on applicants is handled.

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 (ASC PPU 045) and Awareness and Learning Component (ASC PPU 040). This information will be used for administrative purposes and for the evaluation of applications. Personal information (such as name, contact information and biographical information) will be stored for six years, then destroyed. Under the Privacy Act, any individual, upon request, may

1. be given access to his/her data, and
2. have incorrect information corrected or add a note.

Applicants shall also note that information relative to the funding agreement will be publicly disclosed under Government of Canada legislation, policies and directives.

For additional information on privacy matters prior to submitting an application, please contact:

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

For any questions related to this AO, applicants shall use the following generic email address: stedia-dstemu@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 reply to questions received before October 11, 2019.

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

Annex A – Examples of sites, infrastructure and instruments for research projects pertaining to life sciences and space health

Examples of sites, infrastructure and instruments for research projects pertaining to life sciences and space health^{Footnote 2} that could be considered to mitigate one or more risks related to human spaceflights mentioned in Table 3 are presented below:

• Suborbital/orbital platforms and instruments:
  • 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 a 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:
    • Hind limb suspension model for suspending the rear part of rodent's body for short periods and removing 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 France's CNES. This agreement allows the CSA to fly and operate the CNES' multiple stratospheric balloons every year for Canada from different locations around the world. Selected grant recipients will be allowed to launch their instruments on these balloons as part of the CSA's STRATOS program.

The altitude of stratospheric balloons typically ranges between 32 and 42 km, depending on mission objectives, payload specifications and weather conditions. Possible balloon launch sites include the following: Timmins, Ontario (mid-latitude); Kiruna, Sweden (Arctic) and Teresina, Brazil (equatorial latitude). The CNES balloon launch site for 2020 is expected to be Kiruna, Sweden, and is still to be confirmed for subsequent years.

During a launch campaign, multiple balloons are launched. All launches can accommodate either a single primary payload, multiple secondary payloads or both. Consequently, 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, grant recipients may be required to provide their own gondola to accommodate their own payload. If that is the case, neither the CNES nor the CSA will be responsible for providing such a gondola, including the structure and pointing systems. However, the CSA and the CNES can provide the telemetry and telecommunications systems (CNES-PASTIS and/or CSA PRISM) that will allow the payload communications system to send data to the ground. In some cases, the 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 will be accepted depending on the volume, mass and power available on board 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 CNES-PASTIS and/or CSA PRISM telecommunication and telemetry system for position and attitude knowledge. For secondary payloads, the total bandwidth allocation will be shared by all of the instruments onboard.

Once a grant is obtained for any STRATOS balloon flights, the recipient must fill out a questionnaire providing additional information on its payload and the flight requirements. The recipient will subsequently be responsible for ensuring that its payload and its gondola (if appropriate) will be ready on time and meet safety and interface requirements, which are outlined in user manuals available upon request. 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 the 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 application.

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 application.

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

To obtain a copy of the Stratospheric 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. Access to ESA infrastructures and suborbital and orbital platforms

As a Cooperating State of the ESA, Canada has access to various ESA programs and activities. In particular, through the Education Office's selection processes, the ESA offers university students access to a variety of educational programs and to various infrastructures and suborbital and orbital platforms.

All programs and opportunities offered to university students by the ESA Education Office are handled according to ESA Academy terms and conditions, and include the following:

• Experiments using hypergravity centrifuge facilities, and using them on human subjects (Spin Your Thesis! and Spin Your Thesis! Human Edition);
• Experiments using tests from a drop tower (Drop Your Thesis!);
• Experiments conducted during parabolic flights (Fly Your Thesis!);
• Experiments using sounding rockets (REXUS) or stratospheric balloons (BEXUS);
• Support for CubeSat teams (engineering support, facilities for tests, and possibly launches and operations);
• Training and learning.

For additional information, consult the websites of the ESA Education Office or the ESA Academy.

3. Access, through the CSA, to NRC Falcon 20 aircraft for reduced gravity flights

As a result of collaboration with the NRC, the CSA has access to the NRC's Falcon 20 aircraft in Ottawa. Consequently, selected 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 grant recipient's responsibility to comply with all 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 their utmost to accommodate all of the experiments to be selected following the NRC's multi stage approval and review procedure.

Expenses associated with the flight and the engineering support required from the CSA and the NRC for payload integration and certification will be borne by the NRC and/or the CSA and therefore should not be included in the budget of the applicant's application.

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 Suborbital Express sounding rocket flights

Flight opportunities on SubOrbital Express sounding rockets are available through the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC). The flights are carried out from the Esrange Space Center base, located in Kiruna, Sweden. Depending on client's needs, these rocket flights can be optimized for microgravity or atmospheric/ionospheric research as well as for high altitude drop and re-entry tests, sometimes combining different mission objectives in one flight. Flights tailored for atmospheric research can be provided with approximately 6 months lead time. Flights of SSC's microgravity platform are planned on a regular, annual basis (approximately every 18 months). For microgravity flights, SubOrbital Express rockets typically reach an apogee at 260 km and provide approximately 6 minutes of continuous microgravity below 1x10-4g. For atmospheric research, flights typically reach an altitude between 80 and 150 km. The available volume for microgravity payloads has a cylindrical shape with an inside diameter of 43 cm and a height of roughly 130 cm. The maximum total available scientific payload mass is about 125 kg. For atmospheric research, the available volume has a cylindrical shape with an inside diameter of 35 cm and a height of 100 cm. For any mission, the height allocated to each experiment is selected to fit the experiment's needs; typically from 45 cm and upwards, but also small-sized payloads can be accommodated, sharing a dedicated volume and basic resources with other payloads. For both microgravity and atmospheric research flights, the total available mass allocation per flight opportunity is roughly 100 kg.

SubOrbital Express payload launches, flights and recoveries are conducted over land and payloads are normally recovered within 2 hours after landing. Science teams have late access to their payloads up to 2 hours before launch. Flights are conducted in polar atmospheric conditions close to the Arctic region. Ground temperatures vary from -30 °C in winter to +20 °C in summer, with extremes at -40 °C and +30 °C.

It is the responsibility of the recipient to make his or her arrangements with the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) (or through the booking site) 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 meet safety and interface requirements, which are outlined in the SubOrbital Express user manual available upon request. The expenses associated with placing the payload on the SubOrbital Express are the grant recipient's responsibility and constitute eligible expenses. There is no guarantee that this opportunity will remain available for Canada.

To obtain a copy of the Suborbital Express 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 and 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 infrastructure and facilities for testing, integrating and operating 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 centre and the communications infrastructure necessary to connect various on-site facilities.

The CSA is making available to grant recipients, subject to availability, some of its prototype planetary mobility systems (rovers) and associated indoor and outdoor facilities and infrastructure to support the testing, integration and operation of planetary exploration systems and equipment (e.g. rovers, instruments, payloads).

Applicants interested in using 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 that a specific asset will be available at the location, period of the year or time of day stated in a recipient's application. The application must also mention the risks and mitigation measures if none of the requested CSA assets and resources cannot be made available.

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 provide information that grant recipients will need to ensure that the interfaces (e.g. those for a rover) are well understood in order to accommodate the grant recipient's instruments or payloads. Instrument or payload interface modifications may be necessary.

5.1.1 Process

Once a project has been selected, the CSA organizes a technical meeting (teleconference) during which the applicant will have to fill out a questionnaire providing additional technical information on its rover, instrument or payload and the field investigation requirements relative to its use of CSA equipment and infrastructure. The applicant will subsequently be responsible for ensuring that its equipment will be ready on time and meets CSA safety and interface requirements, which will be provided by the CSA upon request.

The preliminary schedule provided in the application must include target dates for the demonstration of capacities (deployment) and a preparedness review, to have been carried out four weeks prior to the deployment. The CSA will do its utmost to accommodate all FAST selected applicant requests that meet CSA health and safety (H&S), security and interface requirements, and that are compatible with 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. All participants 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 upon arrival. For CSA Visitor Badges, Canadians must show ID (e.g. driver's licence) and non-Canadians must show ID + a student/work visa + a passport). For CSA access badges, a government security check will be done, including fingerprinting and a form to be filled out and submitted approximately two weeks prior to the visit.

5.1.2 Agreement

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

• Location (infrastructure and facilities to be used) and supervision of the recipient's participants;
• Access to CSA facilities (H&S, security);
• Confidential information (information handling);
• Intellectual property (background and foreground); and
• Indemnification and liability.

5.1.3 Expenses

All expenses associated with the recipient's 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 CSA Rovers and facilities overview descriptions

The following Sections (5.2.1 and 5.2.2) provide a summary description of the CSA's rovers and 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:
  • Exploration Development and Operations Centre (ExDOC);
  • Analogue Terrain (AT);
  • Portable Command and Control Shelter (PCCS);
  • Rover Integration Facility (RIF);
  • Exploration Storage Facility (ESF);
  • High Bay and Rover Indoor Workspace (RIW).
• CSA AT User Guide/Manual;
• CSA Rover(s)-to-Payload Interface Requirements Document; and
• CSA Facility H&S Plans:
  • ExDOC;
  • AT;
  • PCCS;
  • RIF;
  • ESF;
  • RIW.

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

Should you have any questions about these documents, please refer to Section 9 of the AO.

5.2.1 CSA fleet of rovers

Description of the CSA's fleet of rovers.

5.2.2 CSA facilities

5.2.2.1 Exploration Development and Operations Centre (ExDOC)

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 and control functions to other participating centres, e.g. universities, contractors and international partners.

5.2.2.2 Analogue terrain (AT)

The CSA-located AT is a 60- x 120-metre 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.

5.2.2.3 Portable Command and Control Shelter (PCCS)

This infrastructure provides a controlled and secure environment for conducting remote analogue site deployments, i.e., a portable "ExDOC", and can be quickly deployed and set up.

It measures approximately 10 m long (including hitch) by 3 m wide by 3 m high.

It is equipped with multiple workstations and satellite and wireless communications equipment.

5.2.2.4 Rover Integration Facility (RIF)

The RIF is both a development and an integration and testing facility for rovers, payloads and instruments, and has the following characteristics:

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

5.2.2.5 Exploration Storage Facility (ESF)

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

The ESF's dimensions are 10.4 m by 7 m with 3.2-m ceiling height, providing over 70 m2 of storage area. It can provide storage for up to 20 rovers.

5.2.2.6 High Bay and Rover Indoor Workspace (RIW)

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

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

Annex C - Scoring

A numerical score is associated with each criterion. It is strongly recommended that applicants include in their applications information related to each highest score.

1. Benefits to Canada

• Maximum: 25
• Minimum: 20

1.1. Proposed research

This criterion is used to evaluate 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, and in line with the research priorities of the FAST AO and the Space Strategy for Canada.

• Is the research original and of high intrinsic merit?
• Is the research in line with the research priorities of the FAST AO and the Space Strategy for Canada?
• Is the proposed research likely to result in long-term innovations 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?

2. Feasibility

• Maximum: 35
• Minimum: 20

2.1. Research plan and schedule

This criterion is used to evaluate the clarity, completeness and feasibility of the research plan, with the duties and responsibilities, contributions and level of involvement of each team member clearly identified. The criterion is also used to evaluate the likelihood that the work will be completed on schedule.

• Is the project methodology clearly described, including specifically the method, physical resources (equipment, instruments and/or scientific data), infrastructure (ground-based infrastructure, suborbital/orbital platform, analogue site) and the project schedule?
• In light of the proposed research plan, are the objectives realistic?
• Are the duties and responsibilities of each team member and each team member's contribution towards achievement of the project objectives clearly defined and justified?

2.2. Training plan

This criterion is used to evaluate the quality, relevance and clarity of the training plan, as well as the impact of the knowledge and experience that the students will acquire.

• Does the training plan specify the activities or projects in which the students will participate during the research project?
• Is information provided on the method or methods that will be used to supervise the students?
• Will the knowledge and experience acquired have an impact on the students?

3. Resources

• Maximum: 30
• Minimum: 20

3.1. Project team

This criterion is used to evaluate the quality of the project team (PIs, co-investigators or post doctoral fellows, as applicable), its combination of expertise, its capacity to carry out the research project, the skills of team members, and the past achievements of team members.

• Does the project team have demonstrated experience in the field of study concerned?
• Does the project team have all of the expertise required to undertake the project?
• Has the project team demonstrated its capacity to manage and carry out similar projects?
• Are the duties and responsibilities assigned to each project team member consistent with each member's experience and expertise?

3.2. Budget, source of funding, physical resources and infrastructure

This criterion is used to evaluate whether the planned budget is adequate to achieve the project's objectives. It also takes the project's various sources of funding into consideration. It is also used to evaluate the timely availability of physical resources (equipment, instruments and/or scientific data) and infrastructure (ground-based infrastructure, suborbital/orbital platform, analogous site).

• Is the budget realistic and justified in relation to the proposed activities?
• Will the applicant make a financial contribution or a contribution in kind to the project?
• Will other organizations participate in the project by making a financial contribution or a contribution in kind?
• Will the physical resources planned for the project and the infrastructure be available in a timely manner?

4. Risks

• Maximum: 10
• Minimum: 7

4.1. Project-related risks and mitigation strategies

This criterion is used to evaluate the applicant's analysis of the main risks associated with the project, as well as the mitigation strategies for each risk.

The applicant must carry out an in-depth risk analysis (financial, managerial, technical, environmental, scientific and technical risks). Detailed information must be provided on the availability of resources and risks associated with their non-availability and on mitigation strategies for these risks (degree of uncertainty, particularly with respect to the launch date, access to infrastructure, the launch site, instruments or scientific data, the agreement with the launch services supplier, and collaboration with the industry and foreign research partners).

• Has the applicant identified and described in detail the risks associated with the project, including but not limited to, financial, managerial, technical, environmental, scientific and technical risks (particularly access to financial, human and physical resources) and compliance with the project schedule?
• Are the proposed mitigation strategies for each risk well thought out and realistic?
• What is the probability of the risks materializing?

Evaluation score

• Maximum total: 100
• Minimum total: 70^{Footnote 3}