National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Disclosure Requirements
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requires investigators and recipient institutions to disclose information regarding professional appointments, research support, affiliations, collaborations, and other activities necessary to promote transparency, research integrity, and research security.
NASA disclosure requirements apply throughout the proposal and award lifecycle. Investigators are responsible for ensuring that information provided to NASA is complete, accurate, current, and consistent with both NASA requirements and their University Disclosure Profile.
NASA also has statutory restrictions regarding certain bilateral activities involving China and Chinese-owned companies that investigators should consider during proposal development.
Before preparing a NASA proposal, investigators should ensure that their University Disclosure Profile is current.
Maintaining an accurate institutional disclosure supports consistency across sponsor submissions and assists the University in administering its Conflict of Interest, Conflict of Commitment, Research Security, Export Controls, and Foreign Talent Recruitment Program compliance programs.
Related University Guidance
- Disclosure of External Interests & Commitments
- Conflict of Interest
- Conflict of Commitment
- Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
NASA Proposal & Award Disclosures
NASA requires disclosures at various stages of the proposal and award lifecycle. Required information varies depending upon the proposal document, reporting requirement, and funding opportunity.
| Disclosure Requirement | Purpose | When Required |
|---|---|---|
| Biographical Sketch | Describes an individual's professional preparation, appointments, positions, publications, and qualifications relevant to the proposed effort. | Proposal submission |
| Current & Pending (Other) Support | Discloses current and pending research support, including in-kind contributions and other resources available in support of an investigator's research activities. | Proposal submission and post-award updates, as applicable |
| Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources | Describes the institutional resources available to support the proposed research. | Proposal submission |
| Post-Award Disclosures | Certain changes involving research support, key personnel, or other reportable information may require notification to NASA. | Throughout the award period, as required |
Examples of Information Commonly Reported
Depending upon the applicable NASA disclosure document, investigators may be required to report information such as:
- Professional appointments and positions
- Research support and pending proposals
- In-kind contributions
- Research affiliations
- Publications relevant to the proposed research
- Scientific, technical, and management experience
- Facilities, equipment, laboratory space, and other resources
Investigators should review the applicable NASA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), and proposal instructions to determine reporting requirements.
Research Security Requirements
NASA incorporates research security requirements into its proposal and award processes to promote transparency and protect federally funded research.
Research security-related disclosure requirements may include:
- professional appointments and affiliations;
- current and pending (other) support;
- in-kind contributions;
- international collaborations, when required;
- consistency across sponsor and institutional disclosures; and
- research security training certifications, when applicable.
Investigators should review the applicable NOFO and consult ORS whenever questions arise regarding disclosure obligations or research security requirements.
Research Security Training
NASA now requires covered individuals to certify completion of research security training through its disclosure forms for applicable grant and cooperative agreement proposals. Updated Biographical Sketch and Current & Pending (Other) Support forms include a research security training certification.
Stony Brook University provides institution-specific Research Security Training that addresses applicable federal requirements while incorporating University policies and procedures.
Learn More
NASA Restrictions on Bilateral Activities with China
Federal law places restrictions on NASA's ability to use appropriated funds to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally with China or Chinese-owned companies under grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, except where specifically authorized by law.
These restrictions may apply to activities involving:
- Chinese institutions;
- Chinese-owned companies;
- funded and unfunded bilateral collaborations;
- subrecipients; and
- no-exchange-of-funds collaborations.
Investigators contemplating collaborations involving China should consult the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and the Office of Research Security (ORS) before proposal submission to determine whether the proposed activity is permissible under the applicable NASA funding opportunity and federal law.
Important Post-Award Requirements
Investigators have an ongoing responsibility to ensure that NASA disclosures remain complete, accurate, and current throughout the life of an award.
Current & Pending (Other) Support
Notify OSP and ORS whenever new research support, appointments, affiliations, or other reportable activities arise that may affect sponsor disclosures.
International Collaborations
Consult OSP and ORS before initiating new international collaborations that may require sponsor notification or review under NASA policies.
Changes to Key Personnel
Changes involving Principal Investigators or other key personnel may require sponsor notification or prior approval.
Current NASA Guidance
Proposal & Award Administration
Need Assistance?
Questions regarding NASA disclosure requirements should be raised as early as possible during proposal development or whenever circumstances change during an active award.
Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
Provides assistance with proposal preparation, sponsor requirements, award administration, and sponsor prior approvals.
Office of Research Security (ORS)
Provides assistance with research security, disclosure requirements, international collaborations, foreign affiliations, research support disclosures, conflict of commitment, foreign talent recruitment programs, and other sponsor-related compliance matters.