ROSES 2025: F.3 Exoplanets Research

The Exoplanets Research Program (F.3 XRP), administered through NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), is part of the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 omnibus announcement. This annual solicitation comprises multiple program elements, each designed to advance fundamental and applied research aligned with NASA's scientific mission. ROSES-2025 was initially released on February 21, 2025, and covers a diverse range of research fields in space and Earth science. F.3 XRP specifically supports investigations related to exoplanet discovery, characterization, and theoretical modeling, furthering NASA’s understanding of planetary systems beyond our own. F.3 XRP proposals must align with the goals of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, which includes the development of mission concepts, data analysis from past and current missions, and theoretical models to support future explorations. The funding instrument can be a grant or cooperative agreement, and proposals are typically awarded for three-year performance periods, although the range may vary depending on project scope. The program allows flexibility in collaboration structures, welcoming government, nonprofit, and for-profit institutions, provided they comply with NASA policies. U.S.-based institutions are generally preferred, though non-U.S. organizations may participate under specific conditions that preclude exchange of funds. The application process consists of a two-step submission: a required Step-1 proposal due by December 3, 2025, followed by a Step-2 full proposal due January 26, 2026. Step-2 proposals are only accepted if a Step-1 submission has been made. Proposals should be submitted via NSPIRES, NASA’s proposal system, with detailed instructions and program text available through the ROSES Tables 2 and 3 web pages. Grants.gov submissions are supported if requested more than 30 days before the deadline. Funding amounts are not specified in the general synopsis, and proposers must refer to the individual program element PDF for budget guidelines. Eligibility for F.3 XRP includes institutions registered on NSPIRES, generally limited to U.S.-based organizations. Non-U.S. participants may submit under joint initiatives or guest observing programs, provided they follow NASA's Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual. Each program element under ROSES includes tailored guidelines for eligibility and proposal content. Points of contact for F.3 XRP include John Wisniewski, Rebekah Dawson-Rigas, Galen Fowler, and Joshua Pepper, with the central contact email hq-xrp@mail.nasa.gov. The ROSES-2025 NRA is a recurring funding opportunity, and most of its elements—including F.3 XRP—are reissued annually. Amendments to this element have updated planning dates and points of contact, with the current version reflecting changes as of November 20, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to stay informed by subscribing to relevant mailing lists, blog feeds, and calendars maintained by NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Awards will be announced after review and may involve interagency transfers for government lab partners. Performance periods typically commence within months following selection.