ROSES25: F.5 Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology

The Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology program is administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under its Science Mission Directorate as part of the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences omnibus solicitation. NASA is a federal agency responsible for advancing scientific knowledge in space exploration, Earth science, heliophysics, and planetary science. Through this program element, NASA seeks to support graduate student researchers in developing innovative research aligned with agency priorities in Earth and space science and technology. The program operates within a larger framework that includes numerous individual funding opportunities, each targeting specific scientific domains and research needs. The primary purpose of this program is to cultivate the next generation of scientists by funding graduate-level research projects that contribute to NASA’s mission objectives. Awards are intended to support research activities that advance understanding in areas such as Earth systems, planetary science, astrophysics, and heliophysics. Funding is generally provided through grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the nature of the proposed work, and is designed to enable early-career investigators to conduct independent, high-quality research. The typical period of performance for awards under the broader solicitation is approximately three years, though variations may exist depending on the specific program element. Allowable uses of funding include research-related expenses necessary to carry out the proposed project, such as personnel support, data analysis, and associated research costs. While the synopsis does not provide detailed budget restrictions, it emphasizes that most awards under this solicitation are structured as grants, and funding to collaborators at government laboratories may be handled through interagency transfers. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement specified for this opportunity, indicating that applicants are not required to provide additional financial contributions. Eligibility for the program is broadly defined but includes important institutional requirements. Applicants must be affiliated with an institution registered within NASA’s NSPIRES system, and in general, NASA funding is limited to U.S.-based institutions. However, non-U.S. organizations may participate under specific conditions, such as a no-exchange-of-funds policy or through joint program elements with international partners. Additional eligibility considerations, including participation of U.S. personnel within foreign-led proposals, are governed by NASA’s Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual. The application process does not require a notice of intent or a preliminary proposal stage. Instead, applicants must submit full proposals by the stated deadline through the appropriate submission systems, which may include Grants.gov if requested in advance or NASA’s NSPIRES platform. Supporting materials and detailed instructions for proposal preparation are contained within the specific program element documentation, which applicants must access through NASA’s solicitation tables. Optional engagement opportunities, such as a pre-proposal webinar and office hours sessions, are provided to assist applicants but are not mandatory components of the submission process. Evaluation of proposals is conducted based on criteria outlined in the detailed program element documentation, typically including scientific merit, relevance to NASA’s mission, and the qualifications of the investigator. Questions regarding the program can be directed to designated program officers or the general contact email provided for the initiative. The application deadline for this cycle is July 14, 2026, with the opportunity posted on April 14, 2026. While the broader ROSES solicitation is issued annually, individual program elements may have unique timelines and recurrence patterns, and applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and future cycles through NASA’s communication channels.