Space Technology Research Institutes
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) conducting early-stage space technology research. The Principal Investigator must be a faculty member at the lead institution. Teaming with a minimum of three participant U.S. IHEs is required; industry and nonprofit partners may participate but cannot lead.
Research must focus on Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) design capabilities at low Technology Readiness Levels. Projects should advance RDRE performance beyond current chemical rocket engines.
Awards support five-year projects with a maximum of $13 million total. No cost-sharing is required. NASA expects to make one award based on proposal quality and funding availability.
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Program description
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released the solicitation “Space Technology Research Institutes (STRI26),” as an appendix to the Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2026 (SpaceTech REDDI 2026).”. The solicitation is available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/, selecting “Open” under “Solicitations,” and searching “Space Technology Research Institutes (STRI26)” under Keywords, or directly via https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/NNH26ZTR001N-26STRI_B3.
Through STRI26, Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program within RTMD solicits proposals from U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) for IHE-led, early-stage, sustained, multidisciplinary space-technology research focused in strategic areas for transformative impact to future NASA and other civil-space applications. Proposals are sought on specific space technologies that are currently at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
This Appendix exclusively seeks proposals that are responsive to the topic featured in the Appendix: Enabling Future Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) Design Capabilities. The overarching goal of this topic is to advance RDRE system-level performance beyond the state of the art for traditional chemical rocket engines operating under the same system constraints.
Only U.S. IHEs are eligible to submit proposals to this Appendix. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be, as their primary appointment, a faculty member at the lead IHE. Teaming among U.S. IHEs is required, with a minimum of three participant IHEs. Teaming with industry and non-profit entities is permitted., subject to the restrictions described in the solicitation.
The maximum award duration is five years and the maximum amount $13M total over the five-year period. Awards are planned to start in May 2027. NASA plans to make one award as a result of this STRI solicitation, subject to the receipt of meritorious proposals and the availability of funds. The actual number of awards will depend on the quality of the proposals received; NASA reserves the right to make no awards under this solicitation.
All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative. Proposals are being solicited via a two-step process where preliminary proposals are mandatory and only those invited may submit a full proposal. Mandatory preliminary proposals are due on or before November 3, 2026, 5 pm Eastern, and the target deadline for invited full proposals is January 21, 2027, 5 pm Eastern. Detailed submission instructions and due dates are provided in the solicitation. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.
Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by email to the Space Technology Research Grants Program Executive at hq-stmd-stri@mail.nasa.gov. Responses to inquiries will be answered by email and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Preliminary proposal (mandatory, two-step process)
- Full proposal (if invited)
- Proposal narrative addressing RDRE design advancement
- Budget and budget justification
- Institutional commitment letters from all participating IHEs
- CV of Principal Investigator
- Letters of commitment from industry/nonprofit partners (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Benjamin J Goodman Senior Scientist
- 📧 hq-stmd-stri@mail.nasa.gov
- 📞 202-479-9030
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 43.012 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$16,999,769
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$15,317,947
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$15,000,000
-
$15,000,000
-
$14,999,835
-
$14,500,000
-
$13,500,000
-
$5,894,551
-
$4,747,599
-
$4,498,166
Top States by Funding
- CA 22 awards $44.8M
- GA 6 awards $26.6M
- TX 10 awards $23.8M
- CO 5 awards $20.2M
- PA 7 awards $20.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 43.012). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $68,553,702 | |
| 2025 | $62,203,060 | |
| 2026 est. | $55,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can be the Principal Investigator?
The PI must be a faculty member at a U.S. institution of higher education. This is their primary appointment.
How many institutions must participate?
A minimum of three U.S. IHEs must team together. Industry and nonprofit organizations may join but cannot serve as the lead institution.
What is the funding amount and project duration?
Awards provide up to $13 million total over a maximum five-year period. Projects are planned to start in May 2027.
What technology area is this grant focused on?
This solicitation exclusively addresses Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) design capabilities. Research must be on early-stage technologies at low Technology Readiness Levels.
What is the application timeline?
Preliminary proposals are due November 3, 2026. Selected proposals will be invited to submit full proposals with a target deadline of January 21, 2027.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Use the two-step process strategically. A strong preliminary proposal is essential to proceed to full proposal stage.
- Build your team early and confirm institutional commitments. Coordinate between at least three IHEs before submitting.
- Focus on TRL advancement. Clearly articulate how your RDRE research advances beyond current chemical rocket engine performance.
- Leverage NSPIRES resources. Register early, familiarize yourself with the system, and contact the program executive with questions.
- Address NASA's strategic priorities directly. Connect your research to future NASA missions and civil-space applications in your narrative.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to meet the three-IHE teaming requirement or submitting without a faculty-led PI from the lead institution. Proposing research at higher Technology Readiness Levels or technologies outside the RDRE focus area. Not clearly demonstrating how the project advances beyond existing chemical rocket engine capabilities.
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