All proposals must be prefaced by an integrated Cover Page/Proposal Summary that contains important, required information (see below). This item is produced by first entering the requested information electronically through a World Wide Web site (specified in the cover letter) and then printing out this form by the proposer (note: a point of contact is also identified for any proposer without access to the Web or who experiences difficulty in using the specified site). The printed copy of the electronically submitted form is then used to obtain original signatures of the PI and an official from the proposing institution to submit with the original copy of the proposal. In addition, reproductions of this original Cover Page/Proposal Summary are used to preface the required printed copies of the proposal.

Upon accessing the specified Web site, at least the following information for the Cover Page will be requested:

• Alpha-numeric identifier of this NRA and full name of NASA Research Announcement (note: these may already be included on the electronic form).
  
• Name of program to which the proposal is directed.
  
• Name and full physical, institutional mailing address of the proposing Principal Investigator, telephone and facsimile numbers, and E-mail address.
  
• An open block for the PI signature and date on the printed hard copy.
  
• Full, descriptive title of proposed investigation.
  
• NASA Grant or Contract Number of any current NASA award that the PI holds that is a logical predecessor of the newly proposed work.
  
• Names, institutional affiliations, and E-mail addresses of all Co-Investigators (note: all listed Co-I's must also be functionally identified in the proposal).
  
• The physical mailing address, telephone number, and E-mail address of the office of sponsored programs at the proposing institution.
  
• Institutional endorsement, including the name and title of the Authorizing Official, name of proposing institution, and, for the hard copy submitted with proposal, a signature and date.
  
• Designation of the type of institution per the definitions in Section 1.2 above.
  
• A "Yes/No" indication whether an E/PO proposal is also submitted.
  
• The proposed costs both by year and for the total proposed period of performance.
  

A block of space (about one page in length) will be provided in the electronic Cover Page/Proposal Summary form for a self-contained Proposal Summary of the proposed research activity. The Summary is intended to provide background and perspective to the interested reader and, therefore, should include the following key information:

• A description of the key, central objectives of the proposed research in terms sufficient for a nonspecialist not familiar with the document to grasp its essence and a statement of methods proposed to accomplish those proposed objectives;
  
• The perceived significance of the proposed work to NASA OSS interests;
  
• If the proposed research is continuation of work performed under a previous NASA award, a statement of accomplishments and citations to key published or in-press articles derived from that award; and
  
• If the proposal contains a Education/Public Outreach proposal, a two or three sentence summary of the intended activity.
  

*[Direct Quote from NRA 98-OSS-05]