Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute Cooperative Agreement Notice-5 (SSERVI CAN-5)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, through its Science Mission Directorate and Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, has released the fifth Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute Cooperative Agreement Notice, identified as SSERVI CAN-5 and funding opportunity NNH26ZDA016C. This federal discretionary opportunity uses a cooperative agreement as its funding instrument and falls within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development funding activity category. The associated Assistance Listing is 43.001, Science. The opportunity was posted on September 1, 2026. No estimated total program funding, award ceiling, award floor, or expected number of awards is provided in the source material. SSERVI CAN-5 invites multi-institutional, team-based proposals for research conducted by participating members of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. Proposed programs must clearly articulate innovative basic and/or applied research that is fundamental to understanding the nature of the Moon and its near-space environment and that will help enable future human exploration of the Moon with Artemis. The solicitation also welcomes "Mars forward" proposals that use lunar-focused research to develop approaches applicable to Mars exploration. Proposed research that complements the current CAN-4 Institute Teams and/or addresses important research areas not currently covered by the Institute will receive strong consideration. The source identifies no cost-sharing or matching requirement. It also does not provide specific award amounts, spending categories, indirect cost limitations, subaward limitations, or a stated period of performance. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution through NSPIRES. In general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Organizations outside the United States may propose on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, subject to the applicable provisions of the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual. The source also notes that some NASA Research Announcements may be issued jointly with non-U.S. organizations and may contain additional guidelines for non-U.S. participants. Special instructions apply when proposals from non-U.S. organizations involve U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested. Applications cannot be submitted through Grants.gov even though the opportunity is synopsized there. Submission is through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, or NSPIRES, using the SSERVI CAN-5 solicitation page. NASA requires a two-step proposal process. A proposer must submit a Step-1 proposal to become eligible to submit a Step-2 proposal. Step-1 proposals are due September 29, 2026, and Step-2 proposals are due December 4, 2026. The source specifically directs applicants to Section D.1.4, "Step-2 Proposal Content," for important information concerning restrictions and deadlines for changes to the Principal Investigator and other key personnel, as well as other key date placeholders. Proposals must be anonymous and will undergo dual anonymous peer review. Step-2 full proposals are divided into two volumes. Volume A contains the anonymous proposal material, while Volume B contains the non-anonymous material. Proposal review, selection, and award are to be implemented according to Sections F and G of the funding announcement. In addition to satisfying the solicitation requirements, applicants should pay particular attention to NASA's statement that research complementing existing CAN-4 Institute Teams or addressing important research areas not currently represented in the Institute will be given strong consideration. Clarification questions about the solicitation must be submitted by email no later than 14 calendar days before the Step-2 proposal deadline. Based on the December 4, 2026 Step-2 deadline, this corresponds to November 20, 2026. Questions should be sent to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov. NASA may respond individually by email or may publish questions and answers of broader interest on the final SSERVI CAN-5 NSPIRES landing page. Any posted questions and answers are expected no later than 10 days before the Step-2 deadline and will be edited to preserve the anonymity of the individuals and institutions submitting questions. The opportunity's current and original closing date is December 4, 2026, with an archive date of January 3, 2027. The required Step-1 proposal deadline of September 29, 2026 is the principal pre-application gating deadline because only Step-1 proposers may advance to Step 2. Program contacts identified in the notice are Sarah Noble and Amanda Nahm, and specific questions about the funding opportunity should be directed to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov. The supplied source does not state an award notification date, performance period, or recurring annual or other regularly repeating application cycle.

Clearly articulate an innovative research program addressing basic and/or applied research fundamental to understanding the Moon and its near-space environment for future Artemis human exploration. Maintain required proposal anonymity and follow the Volume A and Volume B structure. Research complementing current CAN-4 Institute Teams and/or addressing important research areas not currently covered in the Institute will be given strong consideration. Review Section D.1.4 for restrictions and deadlines concerning Principal Investigator and other key personnel changes.