STAGE INNOVATIONS FOR IN SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION (ESI26-ISRU)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. institutions of higher education (both public and private) pursuing early-stage space technology research. The Principal Investigator must be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the proposing institution. This solicitation exclusively supports lunar in situ resource utilization water purification research. Teaming and collaboration are permitted. Proposals must address civil-space needs only, not terrestrial applications.
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Program description
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released the solicitation Early Stage Innovations for In Situ Resource Utilization (ESI26-ISRU), 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 “Early Stage Innovations (ESI26)” under Keywords, or directly via https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/NNH26ZTR001N-26ESI_B7.
Through ESI, Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program within RTMD solicits proposals from U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) for innovative, early-stage space technology research of high priority to NASA. Proposals are sought on specific space technologies that are currently at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The solicitation exclusively seeks proposals that are primarily responsive to civil-space needs and use cases and not terrestrial and/or non-civil-space applications.
The solicitation exclusively seeks proposals that are responsive to the following topic: Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization Water Purification.
Only U.S. IHEs are eligible to submit proposals to this Appendix. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be either a tenured faculty member or an untenured faculty member on the tenure track from the proposing IHE. Teaming and collaboration are permitted, subject to the restrictions described in the solicitation.
The financial and programmatic support for ESI comes from the STRG Program within RTMD. Awards are planned to start in June 2027. NASA plans to make approximately 3 awards as a result of this ESI 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 August 13, 2026, 5 pm Eastern, and the target deadline for invited full proposals is December 16, 2026, 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-esi-call@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
Required documents
- Preliminary Proposal (two-step process)
- SF-424 (or NASA equivalent)
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae (PI and key personnel)
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Letters of Commitment (if teaming)
Program contact
- 👤 Dooyoung Kim Grantor
- 📧 hq-esi-call@mail.nasa.gov
- 📞 2408779964
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
-
$15,000,000
-
$12,000,000
-
$12,000,000
-
$5,894,551
-
$4,747,599
-
$4,498,166
Top States by Funding
- CA 17 awards $40.1M
- GA 6 awards $26.4M
- CO 5 awards $20.2M
- MI 3 awards $19.6M
- TX 7 awards $18.6M
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 tenured faculty member or untenured faculty member on the tenure track at the proposing U.S. institution of higher education.
What technology level is this grant targeting?
Proposals must address space technologies at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The focus is specifically on lunar in situ resource utilization water purification.
What is the application process?
This is a two-step process. Preliminary proposals are due August 13, 2026. Only invited teams submit full proposals by December 16, 2026.
How many awards will NASA make?
NASA plans approximately 3 awards, subject to proposal quality and funding availability. No awards may be made if proposals lack merit.
When would funding start and what is the award amount?
Awards are planned to start June 2027. The maximum award is $1,500,000, though actual amounts depend on proposal scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your preliminary proposal on early-stage innovation and novelty in lunar water purification technology. Emphasize how your approach addresses NASA's civil-space priorities.
- Clearly explain your team's expertise in space technology development and resource utilization. Highlight relevant prior research or collaborations.
- Address feasibility and timeline explicitly. Show how your research progresses toward higher Technology Readiness Levels despite starting at low TRL.
- Submit all materials well before the August 13, 2026 deadline. Verify your institution is registered in NSPIRES and your organizational representative is authorized.
- If invited to the full proposal stage, use the time between December and June 2027 to strengthen your technical approach and demonstrate institutional commitment.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research that is terrestrial or non-civil-space focused rather than aligned with lunar in situ resource utilization water purification. Submitting a PI who lacks tenure-track status or is not faculty at the proposing institution. Underestimating the competitiveness; only about 3 awards will be made from likely many submissions.
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