ROSES 2025: C.2 Solar System Science

The Solar System Science program is administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of its Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences portfolio. This program functions as an omnibus solicitation that consolidates multiple previously separate research areas into a single funding opportunity. It is designed to support a broad range of planetary science investigations aligned with NASA’s Planetary Science Division priorities, which are derived from national decadal survey recommendations and NASA’s strategic science goals. The program emphasizes advancing understanding of the origin, evolution, and current state of the Solar System, as well as the potential for life beyond Earth. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research, data analysis, data preservation, and tool development that contribute to planetary science knowledge. Eligible projects may include hypothesis driven scientific studies, development of laboratory instrumentation, analysis of planetary mission data, generation of higher order data products, and creation of software tools that enable or enhance scientific investigation. The program also encourages interdisciplinary and emerging research approaches that integrate multiple scientific domains to address complex planetary science questions. Funding is flexible in scope and size, with awards categorized as small, medium, or large based on annual budget requests. Small awards are defined as less than 150000 dollars per year, medium awards range from 150000 to 250000 dollars per year, and large awards exceed 250000 dollars per year. Most awards are expected to fall within the small to medium range, while only a limited number of large awards will be funded. The maximum duration of funding is four years, although shorter pilot studies of one to two years are encouraged to test new techniques or applications. The program does not specify strict funding floors or ceilings but requires applicants to select a budget category during submission. Eligibility for this program includes a broad range of organizations capable of conducting scientific research aligned with NASA priorities. Applicants must ensure that their proposed work addresses one or more Planetary Science Division priorities and does not fall within excluded categories such as mission development, spacecraft technologies, or proposals more appropriate for other NASA programs. Proposals must clearly define research objectives, methodologies, data usage, and expected outcomes, along with a timeline for project completion. The submission process follows a dual anonymous peer review model. Applicants initially submit an anonymized technical proposal limited to a five page Science Technical Management section, along with references and a table of work effort. Selected proposals may later be invited to submit additional documentation, including detailed budgets, personnel information, and data management plans. Proposals are evaluated based on scientific merit, technical feasibility, and alignment with NASA priorities, with weighted criteria emphasizing scientific impact and methodological rigor. The program operates on a flexible submission schedule, allowing proposals to be submitted at any time until the final deadline. Reviews occur multiple times per year according to established cut off dates. The final submission deadline for this cycle is November 12 2026, with anticipated award start dates varying depending on submission timing. Applicants are required to submit proposals electronically through NASA’s NSPIRES system, and no hard copy submissions are permitted. Contact for program inquiries is available via a designated NASA email address for the program team. This funding opportunity is considered recurring as part of NASA’s annual research solicitations. It aligns closely with national scientific priorities and offers significant opportunities for researchers to contribute to advancements in planetary science, astrobiology, and related disciplines.

Ensure strong alignment with Planetary Science Division priorities; emphasize scientific merit and methodological rigor; follow anonymization rules strictly; clearly define research impact