NASA Opportunities
Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science Funding Open
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (NASA Science) released its annual omnibus solicitation for basic and applied research, ROSES-2025 (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science). ROSES is a solicitation with many individual program elements that each have their own due dates and topics covering a wide range of basic and applied research and supporting technology topics in areas supported by NASA Science. ROSES is written to allow program elements to issue awards to non-governmental organizations as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts depending on the nature of the work proposed. However, at the time of release, all active program elements of ROSES specifically exclude contracts, because contracts would not be appropriate for the nature of the work solicited. Thus, unless otherwise specified by the program element, awards to non-governmental organizations deriving from ROSES will be federal assistance (grants or cooperative agreements). Awards to government labs, including funded Co-Investigators on proposals for non-governmental organizations, will be inter- or intra-agency transfers, as appropriate. For more information, review Table 2 and Table 3 or visit the ROSES Blog.
NASA Seeks Postdoc Applicants for Hubble Fellowship
Applications are being accepted for the 2026 NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP). The NHFP provides an opportunity for recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research which contributes to any area of NASA Astrophysics. The research will be carried out at U.S. host institutions chosen by each fellow (this is subject to limitations on the number of fellows that can be hosted by one institution.) The NHFP provides salary support plus benefits for up to three years. NASA anticipates awarding 24 fellowships, contingent upon funding. The NHFP encompasses areas of astrophysics previously covered by the NASA Einstein, Hubble, and Sagan Fellowships. Deadline: 7 p.m. EDT Oct. 29 | Email: nhfp@stsci.edu
Planetary Science Early Career Award Opportunity
The Planetary Science Early Career Award (ECA) program is intended to help promising early career scientists play an increased and meaningful role in the planetary science community and pursue professional development in areas relevant to the Planetary Science Division (PSD). Proposed projects may entirely focus on addressing specific scientific questions and/or address pressing needs in the planetary science community. For more information, visit the NSPIRES website.
Award: About five, $200K | Deadline: Dec. 4
National GEM Consortium is Accepting Fellowship Applications
Each year, NASA Fellowships partners with The National GEM Consortium to award research grants using Minority University Research Education Project (MUREP) funds. These fellowships are designed to foster faculty, and undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines needed to help advance NASA’s missions and directly contribute to advancements in space exploration. GEM offers MS and Ph.D. level students an outstanding opportunity and access to dozens of the top engineering and science firms and universities in the nation. GEM Fellowship was designed to focus on promoting opportunities for individuals to enter the STEM industry at the graduate level in areas such as research and development, product development, and other high-level technical careers. | Deadline: Nov. 14.
NASA Seeks Proposals for Team-based Lunar Mapping Program
Proposals are being accepted for the Lunar Mapping Program. This program will enable individual researchers to participate as a member of a geologic mapping team to plan and execute a campaign-style mapping of selected lunar regions. The goal of the program is to produce high-quality, internally consistent geologic maps and to develop efficient methods for conducting team-based mapping that conveys the results to the widest possible audience. Geologic mapping “campaigns” are defined as team-based efforts to identify the unique geologic characteristics of a pre-defined region with coordinated work to ensure continuity and consistency in mapping results. Teams will support the construction of targeted, innovative, and content-diverse geologic maps to aid scientific investigations, guidance for region and site down selection, and/or surface operations for ongoing lunar exploration. Awards are expected to cover pre-mapping planning and coordination, time for adapting existing geologic maps and units, creating original geologic map content, and synthesizing mapping results to provide feedback to NASA to support ongoing lunar exploration. Visit the NSPIRES website.
Award: ~$400,000 | Deadline: Dec. 3 | Email: HQ-LMAP@mail.nasa.gov
INNOVATE25 Seeks Proposals Using Earth Satellite Data
NASA’s INNOVATE (Impactful and novel use of NASA earth observations and models for value-added applications, technology, and societal benefits) is seeking proposals to rapidly advance the use of satellite observations of the earth to efficiently support the U.S. economy, national security, and other applications that are relevant to NASA’s Earth Science to Action Strategy. This element is intended to support high-risk, high-reward projects that are too speculative to garner other funding sources, as well as boost the emerging space economy and commercial providers of Earth information. The program aims to bridge the gap between proof of concept and practical use by supporting formulation, development, and implementation. Before submission, proposers must contact the Program Officer to ensure the proposed concept aligns with programmatic needs. For more information, visit the NSPIRES website.
Award: Up to $1M over three years | Pre-proposal Conference: 2 p.m. EDT Sept. 30 | Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EDT March 31, 2026
NASA Offers Resources for New Principal Investigators
Scientists and engineers who plan to propose to a NASA Research Opportunity or an announcement of opportunity for a flight mission or mission of opportunity from NASA Science should check out NASA’s New Principal Investigator Resources. The site provides prospective mission principal investigators with resources that may be useful as they develop their mission concepts, as well as information on developmental opportunities to prepare future mission leaders.
NASA Technology Funding Opportunities
Learn about NASA’s portfolio of more than 18,000 active and completed technology projects at TechPort, which is an Agency web-based tool that showcases investments from across NASA to facilitate opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. The average annual NASA investment in these technologies is over $1.3 billion. For more information, view funding opportunities and the space technology Strategy and Prioritized Shortfalls.
Create Your NSPIRES Profile
To get a jumpstart on applying for future funding opportunities, visit the NSPIRES website and create an account. Be sure to register for their newsletter to get announcements on new funding opportunities and calls for reviewers where you can share your subject matter expertise. Email: nspires-help@nasaprs.com.
Sign Up to be a Proposal Reviewer
Signing up as a proposal reviewer through NSPIRES is a great way to learn the NASA solicitation proposal process, contribute to your professional development, and support NASA’s mission. Whether you’re new to the federal awards process, or a seasoned veteran in applying for NASA solicitations, you can share your time and perspective and gain an understanding around what makes a good proposal to inform your possible future submissions. Create an NSPIRES account and sign up to be a reviewer as opportunities arise.
NASA Seeks Proposals for Research and Exploration Strategies
NASA’s Astrobiology Program is seeking approximately 47 individuals to serve on the NASA DARES (NASA Decadal Astrobiology Research and Exploration Strategy) Task Force 2 (TF2). This task force will be responsible for writing, refining, and finalizing the NASA-DARES Strategy, a non-consensus document intended to synthesize the current state of Astrobiology and highlight outstanding technical gaps and scientific questions within the field. Additionally, they will build on the nine focus areas identified by a previous task force. The task force will lead community engagement activities, integrate public feedback, and incorporate NASA reviews prior to publication. The anticipated period of performance is October 2025 to May 2026. For more information, visit NSPIRES. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EDT Sept. 29 | Email: hq-rfiastrobio@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Postdoctoral Program Extends Deadline
The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers a unique and inspiring environment for fellows to conduct world-class research with leading scientists across the U.S. The diverse scientific and technological fellowships offered at NASA are one-of-a-kind educational experiences that prepare future leaders for positions at NASA or within the academic community. The NPP consists of two components: the NASA Postdoctoral Research Program and the NASA Postdoctoral Management Program. Flyer: NPP PDF | Email: npp@orau.org | Deadline: 6 p.m. EDT Nov. 1
NASA Internship Tips and Deadlines
NASA interns take on meaningful work and contribute to exciting agency projects with the guidance of a supportive mentor. NASA’s internship program regularly ranks as one of the nation’s most prestigious internship opportunities, and the competition is steep. To best secure a NASA internship, check out “5 Tips to Craft a Standout NASA Internship Application.” Learn more by visiting the NASA STEM Gateway. Deadlines: Summer 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST Feb. 27, 2026; Fall 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT May 22, 2026
Internship Top Prize in Blue Skies Challenge
NASA’s 2026 Gateways to Blue Skies (GBS) RepAir: Advancing Aircraft Maintenance competition asks collegiate student teams to conceptualize innovative systems and practices that would advance current commercial aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations with a goal to enhance resilience, safety, and efficiency by 2035. Concepts should address pressing industry challenges and opportunities such as aging aircraft, increasing operations, costs, and staffing shortages while integrating novel technologies and solutions. In Phase 1, up to eight teams will receive $9,000 and advance to Phase 2. Members of the winning team in Phase 2 will be offered a NASA internship. Notice of Intent Deadline: Nov. 4 | Q&A Sessions: 3:30 p.m. EST Nov. 20 & Jan. 23, 2026 | Proposal Deadline: Feb. 16, 2026 | Email: blueskies@nianet.org
Apply: 2026 RASC-AL Competition
NASA is calling the next generation of collegiate innovators to participate in the 2026 RASC-AL (Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage) competition and imagine bold new concepts to push the boundaries of human exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The challenge seeks to bridge the gaps and fuel innovations for aerospace systems concepts, analogs, and technology prototyping by bridging gaps through university engagement with NASA and industry partners. The competition is seeking U.S.-based undergraduate and graduate-level teams and their faculty advisors to develop new concepts to improve our ability to operate on the Moon and Mars. For more information, visit the RASC-AL website. Deadline: Oct. 13 (Notice of Intent), Feb. 23, 2026 (Proposal)
Students, Launch Your Payload to Space
Higher education student teams are invited to develop experimental payloads which will be launched to the edge of space on a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The High-Altitude Student Platform project, supported by the NASA Balloon Program Office and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium, provides near-space access for 12 student experiments. Flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 122,000 feet. There is no cost for launch and flight operations. Student teams must raise funds to support payload development and team travel, if necessary. For more information, read the Interface Manual guide. Teleconference: 11 a.m. EDT Sept. 26 (Q&A), 11 a.m. EDT Oct. 17 (Application Development) |Deadline: Oct. 6 (mandatory notice of intent), 12:59 a.m. EST Nov. 3 (proposal application) | Email: hasp@lsu.edu
2026 HuLC Competition Accepting Proposals
NASA’s 2026 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC): Long Duration Spaceflight ECLSS is accepting proposals from student teams to develop innovative, systems-level solutions that improve critical aspects of ECLSS (Environmental Control Life Support System) performance. The topic areas include noise suppression and control, sensor reduction in hardware health monitoring systems, potable water dispenser, and fluid transfer between surface assets on the Moon and Mars. Based on a review of proposal package submissions, up to 12 Finalist Teams will receive a $9,000 award to continue developing their concepts and participate in the HuLC Forum in June 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama. Prizes: Phase 2, two winners will split $18,000 | Notice of Intent Deadline: Oct. 20 | Q&A Session: Nov. 4 | Proposal Deadline: March 4
