ROSES25: F.17 Research Initiation Awards
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers seeking NASA funding to initiate new research projects. Proposers must be affiliated with a U.S. institution recognized by NASA. Non-U.S. organizations may apply under a no-exchange-of-funds policy with prior approval. The program supports early-stage research across NASA science divisions. Check NASA's Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) for institutional eligibility details and special guidelines for non-U.S. participation.
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Program description
NOTICE: Amended May 20, 2026. This amendment releases final text for this program element, which was previously TBD. Neither an NOI nor Step-1 proposal is requested. The due date for proposals is August 18, 2026. An informational webinar about this opportunity will occur at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on June 16. Register for the webinar at https://nasaevents.webex.com/weblink/register/r2fbc7ed95634bfe1170fd634303f5b1c.
The total award value for two years is capped at $300,000. However, a budget narrative and table of work effort will be required. The Science/Technical/Management section of proposals is limited to six pages.
This program will evaluate proposals using dual-anonymous peer review. See Section 4 and the associated “Guidelines for Proposers to ROSES DAPR Programs” document under “Other Documents” on the NSPIRES page for this program element.
This synopsis is a generic summary that is posted for each of the many individual “program elements” in NASA’s Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2025 solicitation. For specific information on this particular program element download and read the PDF of the text of this program element by going to Tables 2 or 3 of ROSES at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025table2
and https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025table3, respectively, click the title of the program element of interest, a hypertext link will take you to a page for that particular program element. On that page, on the right side under “Announcement Documents” the link on the bottom will be to the PDF of the text of the call for proposals. For example, if one were interested in the Solar System Science program (NNH25ZDA001N-SCUBED) one would follow the link to the NSPIRES page for that program element and then to read the text of the call one would click on “C.2 Solar System Science (.pdf)” to download the text of the call. If one wanted to set it into the context of the goals, objectives and know the default rules for all elements within Appendix C, the planetary science division, one might download and read “C.1 Planetary Science Research Program Overview (.pdf)” from that same page. While the letters and numbers are different for each element within ROSES (A.10, B.3, etc.) the basic configuration is always the same, e.g., the letter indicates the Science Division (A is Earth Science, B is Heliophysics etc.) and whatever the letter, #1 is always the division overview. In 2025, most program elements will be set up for application via Grants.gov only if requested at least 30 days in advance of the due date. For more on Grants.gov submissions see Section IV(b)v of the ROSES Summary of Solicitation, that may be found at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) released its annual omnibus Research Announcement (NRA), Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2025 (OMB Approval Number 2700-0092, CFDA Number 43.001) on February 21, 2025. In this case “omnibus” means that this NRA has many individual program elements, each with its own due dates and topics. All together these cover the wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology supported by SMD. Awards will be made as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts depending on the nature of the work proposed. However, most extramural research awards deriving from ROSES will be grants, and many program elements of ROSES specifically exclude contracts, because contracts would not be appropriate for the nature of the work solicited. Funded Co-Is at government labs will receive inter- or intra-agency transfers. The typical period of performance for an award is three years, but some programs may allow up to five years and others specify shorter periods. In most cases, organizations of every type, Government and private, for profit and not-for-profit, domestic and foreign (with some caveats), may submit proposals without restriction on teaming arrangements. Tables listing the program elements and due dates (Tables 2 and 3), a table that provides a very top level summary of proposal contents (Table 1), and the full text of the ROSES-2025 “Summary of Solicitation”, may all be found NSPIRES at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025.
Frequently asked questions for ROSES are posted at http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs. Questions concerning specific program elements should be directed to the point(s) of contact for that particular element, who may be found either at the end of the individual program element in the summary table of key information or on the web list of topics and points of contact at: http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list. General questions concerning ROSES-2025 may be directed to the office of the SMD Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at sara@nasa.gov.
Not all program elements are known at the time of the release of ROSES. To be informed of new program elements or amendments to this NRA, proposers may subscribe to: (1) The SMD mailing lists (by logging in at http://nspires.nasaprs.com and checking the appropriate boxes under “Account Management” and “Email Subscriptions”), (2) The ROSES-2025 blog feed for amendments, clarifications, and corrections to at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2025/, and (3) The ROSES-2025 due date Google calendars (one for each science division). Instructions are at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/library-and-useful-links (link from the words due date calendar).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Research proposal (maximum six pages for Science/Technical/Management section)
- Budget narrative and justification
- Work effort table
- Institutional affiliation documentation
- CV or biographical sketches for key personnel
Program contact
- 👤 Caleb Schuler Grantor
- 📧 hq-smd-ria@mail.nasa.gov
- 📞 2406169381
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 43.001 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$243,555,196
-
$139,591,380
-
$137,783,105
-
$105,511,960
-
$104,153,585
-
$94,141,809
-
$87,578,015
-
$63,074,615
-
$57,436,086
-
$55,593,686
Top States by Funding
- MD 17 awards $686.8M
- CA 15 awards $332.8M
- TX 6 awards $213.6M
- AL 4 awards $194.5M
- DC 5 awards $176.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 43.001). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $921,764,932 | |
| 2025 | $1,189,411,503 | |
| 2026 est. | $907,114,426 |
FAQ
Who can apply for these research initiation awards?
Researchers at U.S. institutions and eligible non-U.S. organizations under NASA's no-exchange-of-funds policy. Your institution must be registered with NASA.
What is the maximum award amount?
The total award is capped at $300,000 for a two-year project period.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 18, 2026. An informational webinar is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Clear research objectives, feasible timeline, qualified team, and detailed budget justification. Dual-anonymous peer review means reviewers do not see your identity.
Will my proposal be confidential?
Yes. This program uses dual-anonymous peer review to ensure fair evaluation. Proposals are reviewed without identifying the proposer or institution.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Budget narrative and work effort table are required. Clearly justify all costs and personnel time. Keep the Science/Technical/Management section to six pages maximum to stay competitive.
- Register for the June 16 informational webinar to understand specific research focus areas. The generic ROSES announcement does not specify which science division this element serves.
- Download the full program element text from NSPIRES before writing. The PDF contains specific requirements, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria unique to this award.
- Since dual-anonymous peer review applies, remove all identifying information from the proposal body. This includes author names, institution logos, and personal pronouns that reveal identity.
- Submit early if using Grants.gov. Verify submission portal requirements at least 30 days before the August 18 deadline to allow time for technical issues.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to download and read the full program element PDF leads to missing key requirements. Exceeding the six-page limit or submitting incomplete budget justification will result in rejection. Not removing identifying information violates dual-anonymous review rules and undermines evaluation fairness.
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- OPEN ROSES 2025: C.2 Solar System Science — NASA Headquarters