NASA has announced a competitive funding opportunity for informal education that could result in the award of grants or cooperative agreements to several of the nation’s science centers, museums and planetariums. Approximately $6 million is available for new awards.

Proposals for the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums are expected to use NASA resources to enhance informal education programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. Full proposals are due Sept. 10.

NASA is uniquely positioned to contribute to informal education through its awe-inspiring facilities, missions, data, images, and employees, such as internationally-known engineers and scientists. Proposals for the program are expected to encourage life-long engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and focus on NASA’s contributions to these disciplines. NASA already provides any interested science centers, museums and planetariums access to informal education resources — such as NASA images, visualizations, video, and information — through NASA’s Museum Alliance.

The National Academy of Sciences recently published a study, “Learning Science in Informal Settings: People, Places, Pursuits,” that found evidence informal education programs involving exhibits, new media, and hands-on experiences — such as public participation in research — increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and related careers for both children and adults.

NASA will accept proposals from institutions of informal education that are science museums or planetariums in the United States or its territories. NASA centers, federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers, education-related companies, and other institutions and individuals may apply through partnership with a qualifying lead organization.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., which leads the Museum Alliance, will conduct the external peer review process for the proposals. Authority for final award selections rests with the Office of Education at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Congress initiated the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums in 2008 to enhance programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. On June 3, NASA selected 13 organizations for the first group of projects.

For detailed information about the opportunity, click on “Open Solicitations” and look for Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP) or solicitation number NNH09ZNE005N at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com