NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research recently selected 22 researchers to receive grants of up to four years to conduct research and development in advanced human support technologies. These technologies are expected to have a significant impact on the ability of humans to conduct long-duration space flight missions safely. Benefits to the quality of life on Earth from improved environmental technologies may also result from this research.

The proposals were selected for one-to-four-year efforts, and are potentially worth $16.5 million over four years. Work under these grants will enhance safe human space flight in both low earth orbit, where the International Space Station operates, and in exploration of the solar system beyond low earth orbit.

Five of the grants are for new technologies in advanced environmental monitoring of space habitats. Three grants address strategies for advanced control systems or systems analysis. Two projects are for biomass production. Four projects focus on space human-factors engineering. Eight others address novel approaches to waste processing, including air revitalization, water recycling and treatment of solid wastes.

NASA received 122 proposals in response to a NASA Research Announcement, which was released in March 2003. The proposals were peer-reviewed by scientific and technical experts from academia, government and industry before selections were made. In addition to technical and scientific merit, selection criteria also included cost, relevance to NASA programs and feasibility of utilization by NASA.

For a listing of the selected researchers, listed by state, along with their institutions and their research titles, visit: http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_u/nra/current/NRA-03-OBPR-01/winners.html.