NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through its Headquarters and the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), is preparing to release a solicitation for the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II program. This opportunity is part of a broader NASA Research Announcement focused on advancing space technology research, development, demonstration, and infusion. The NIAC program is designed to foster early-stage, high-risk, high-reward concepts that could significantly impact future space missions. It operates across three phases, with Phase II representing a continuation and expansion of concepts initially explored under Phase I awards. The purpose of the NIAC Phase II program is to further develop the most promising and innovative ideas that have successfully completed Phase I feasibility studies. While Phase I focuses on establishing the viability of a concept, Phase II supports deeper technical maturation, refinement, and exploration of potential pathways for integration into NASA missions or other applications. Projects funded under this phase are expected to demonstrate increased technical rigor and clearer pathways toward implementation, whether within NASA, other government agencies, or commercial ventures. Funding under this opportunity supports a period of performance of up to two years. During this time, awardees are expected to conduct advanced research, develop prototypes or models as applicable, and explore infusion strategies. Although specific allowable costs and budget structures are not detailed in the synopsis, funding is intended to support research and development activities aligned with NASA’s mission areas. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers barriers to participation and enables a broader range of applicants to engage in the program. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to a wide range of entity types, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, private industry, and individuals, subject to further clarification in the full solicitation. Applicants are required to consult the detailed program appendix once released through the NSPIRES system, which serves as NASA’s primary platform for proposal submission and management. The application process involves navigating the NSPIRES portal to locate the relevant solicitation and associated documents. The submission process requires applicants to access the NSPIRES system, locate the SpaceTech-REDDI-2026 announcement, and identify the NIAC Phase II program element. From there, applicants can review the full solicitation document, which will include detailed instructions, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements. While the synopsis does not specify required application components, typical NASA solicitations include technical proposals, budgets, and supporting documentation. The timeline for this opportunity is not fully defined in the synopsis. The solicitation is anticipated to be released around mid-May 2026, but specific application deadlines and milestone dates will only be available once the appendix is published in NSPIRES. There is no indication of recurring cycles or annual issuance within the provided information. Applicants are encouraged to monitor the NSPIRES platform for updates and ensure timely access to the complete solicitation details. For additional assistance, applicants may contact the NIAC program office via the provided email address or reach out to the program executive listed in the announcement.