The NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced funding under the "ROSES 2024: D.8 Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowships in Space Astrophysics for Early Career Researchers" program. This opportunity supports early-career scientists in advancing space astrophysics technology, providing funding to pursue innovative research projects that align with NASA's mission in astrophysics. The program is structured as part of the larger ROSES 2024 omnibus solicitation, which encompasses various research and technology development initiatives.

The primary purpose of this fellowship is to foster the development of new technologies that address current challenges in space astrophysics. Awardees will have the opportunity to propose groundbreaking ideas and methodologies that advance observational, experimental, or computational tools for space science. This program is open to early-career researchers who demonstrate a strong alignment with NASA's objectives in astrophysics technology.

Funding is provided through grants or cooperative agreements, and the program supports research with a typical performance period of up to three years, with some flexibility depending on the nature of the proposed work. The program allows submissions from a variety of organizations, including government, private, for-profit, not-for-profit, and international entities, though foreign organizations are subject to specific guidelines. The number of awards and total funding available have not been specified, and cost-sharing is not a requirement for this opportunity.

Eligible applicants must be affiliated with institutions registered on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). Proposals must be submitted through either the Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) or Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT) elements of the ROSES 2024 NRA, depending on the nature of the research. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are mandatory for APRA applicants and optional for SAT, with NOIs due by December 13, 2024. Full applications must be submitted by February 21, 2025.

Applicants should retrieve the required forms and instructions via NSPIRES and review the program-specific solicitation for comprehensive guidance. Proposals will be evaluated based on their scientific merit, relevance to NASA's goals, the feasibility of the proposed technology, and the qualifications of the team. Specific criteria for evaluation have been clarified in amendments, emphasizing both the quality of the proposed research and its potential impact.

To stay informed about updates, applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the SMD mailing lists, follow the ROSES 2024 blog feed, or use the ROSES Google Calendar for key dates. Questions regarding the opportunity can be directed to Dominic Benford at NASA’s Astrophysics Division. Full details about the program and related documents are accessible through the NSPIRES website.