ROSES25: F.17 Research Initiation Awards

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration operates one of the most comprehensive federal research funding portfolios in the United States through its Science Mission Directorate. Within this framework, the agency releases an annual omnibus solicitation known as Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences, which encompasses numerous program elements across multiple scientific disciplines. The Research Initiation Awards program is one such element designed to support early-stage or new investigators seeking to establish a foothold in NASA-relevant research areas. This opportunity reflects NASA commitment to expanding participation in space and Earth science research while fostering innovation and technical advancement aligned with agency priorities. The purpose of this program is to provide funding for foundational research efforts that enable investigators to develop new research directions, build capacity, and contribute to NASA scientific missions. The scope of work typically includes basic and applied research in areas aligned with NASA Science Mission Directorate divisions such as Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics. Funding may be used to support personnel, research activities, and associated project costs as outlined in a required budget narrative and work effort table. The program is structured to encourage high-quality scientific inquiry while ensuring that funded work aligns with NASA broader research objectives. The funding structure for this program caps total award value at three hundred thousand dollars over a two year period. While specific award floor and total program funding amounts are not explicitly stated, applicants must submit detailed budget documentation that outlines how funds will be allocated. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible institutions. Awards may be issued as grants or cooperative agreements depending on the nature of the proposed work, and the performance period for this specific element is two years. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad but requires affiliation with an institution registered within NASA proposal submission system. NASA generally provides funding only to United States based institutions, although certain international organizations may participate under a no exchange of funds policy or through special collaborative arrangements. Additional eligibility conditions are governed by the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual, which provides detailed guidance for both domestic and international applicants. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of academic, governmental, and private sector organizations to participate while maintaining compliance with federal funding regulations. The submission process for this opportunity is relatively streamlined compared to other NASA programs, as it does not require a notice of intent or a preliminary proposal stage. Applicants must prepare a full proposal that includes a science, technical, and management section limited to six pages, along with required budget documentation. Proposals are submitted through designated systems, and applicants are encouraged to review detailed program element documents available through NASA solicitation platforms. An informational webinar is provided to assist applicants in understanding requirements and expectations. Evaluation of proposals is conducted using a dual anonymous peer review process, ensuring that submissions are assessed based on scientific merit and relevance without bias related to investigator identity. Review criteria typically include scientific and technical quality, relevance to NASA mission objectives, feasibility of the proposed work, and the qualifications of the proposing institution. This evaluation framework is designed to promote fairness and rigor while supporting high impact research outcomes. The application timeline for this opportunity includes a posted date in May with a final submission deadline in mid August. An informational webinar occurs approximately two months prior to the deadline to support applicant preparation. Awards are expected to follow NASA standard review timelines, although specific notification dates are not explicitly provided. While this specific program element is part of an annual solicitation cycle, individual elements may vary in recurrence and structure, and applicants are encouraged to monitor updates through NASA communication channels and subscription services.