Lunar Payload Design Challenge

The Lunar Payload Design Challenge is a federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates, specifically under its Public Diplomacy Section. This initiative is designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the United States and the UAE in the rapidly growing field of space innovation, particularly lunar exploration. The program reflects broader U.S. foreign policy objectives aimed at expanding partnerships in high-technology sectors and reinforcing the global competitiveness of the U.S. innovation ecosystem. By leveraging academic, research, and industry collaboration, the program promotes shared scientific advancement and technological development between the two nations. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the implementation of a hands-on, team-based challenge that brings together graduate-level students from U.S. and UAE institutions. These participants will collaborate to design and develop payload concepts, instruments, or related technologies that could be integrated into future lunar missions. The program emphasizes applied research and development aligned with current industry and mission priorities, particularly those related to NASA and other international lunar exploration efforts. The initiative is structured to produce tangible outputs such as viable payload concepts while also fostering long-term institutional partnerships and technical skill development among participants. Funding for this opportunity is provided through FY26 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from the U.S. Mission in program implementation. The anticipated award amount is up to $300,000 for a single recipient, with a performance period ranging from 12 to 18 months. Projects must be completed within 18 months or less, although continuation funding may be considered based on performance and availability of funds. Allowable uses of funding include programmatic expenses such as personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual services, while restrictions prohibit expenditures on construction, direct social services, partisan political activities, fundraising, or religious programming. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to organizations rather than individuals as prime applicants. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, public and private educational institutions, and public international organizations. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded from serving as the primary recipient, although they may participate as subcontractors. Applicants must possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov. Only one proposal per organization is permitted, and failure to comply with submission requirements or eligibility criteria will result in disqualification. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, allowing flexibility in financial structuring of proposals. The application process requires submission of standard federal assistance forms along with a comprehensive proposal package. This includes a narrative proposal outlining program objectives, methods, timeline, personnel, and sustainability plans, as well as a detailed budget and justification. Applicants must also include a monitoring and evaluation plan demonstrating how program outcomes will be measured. Additional required materials include resumes of key personnel, letters of support from partners, and documentation of nonprofit status and organizational registration. Applications may be submitted either through Grants.gov or via email to the designated program inbox. Applications will be evaluated based on a structured review process that includes criteria such as program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Each criterion is assigned a weighted score, with program quality and feasibility carrying the highest importance. The review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by evaluation by a technical review panel. Applicants can expect notification of results within approximately 120 days after the submission deadline. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM UAE time, and this is a firm deadline with no rolling submissions. The anticipated project start date falls between October and December 2026. Following award selection, recipients will be required to adhere to reporting requirements, including quarterly progress and financial reports, as well as final reports within 120 days of project completion. The program is not described as recurring, indicating that future opportunities are uncertain and dependent on funding availability and program priorities.

Align proposal with U.S. foreign policy goals; demonstrate strong technical feasibility; include detailed monitoring and evaluation plan; ensure sustainability beyond grant period