The Mentorship and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success (MOSAICS) Seed Funding (MSF) program, managed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), aims to foster new and enhance existing research collaborations between faculty and students at under-resourced institutions (URIs) and NASA Centers. The initiative is specifically targeted towards building pathways for future long-term collaborations under the future MOSAICS Five-Year Collaboration Awards program. This grant offers seed funding for one to two years, providing a foundational research partnership that can develop into larger, sustainable collaborations involving NASA research activities. The program has been designed with a strong focus on mentorship, emphasizing the development of skills in STEM fields among students from under-resourced or historically underserved institutions, such as Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), and Community Colleges.

The MOSAICS program aligns with NASA’s Equity Action Plan, which focuses on removing barriers to equitable access to NASA's programs and opportunities. Proposals for MSF must be led by faculty at URIs, co-written with a NASA partner, and should support research that aligns with NASA’s strategic objectives. Specifically, the proposal must describe a collaborative research project, its expected impact, and a detailed mentoring plan for students. The goal is not only to increase research capacity at URIs but also to ensure that students gain relevant experience in a supportive, inclusive environment. The proposals must demonstrate the partnership's potential to evolve into more significant, long-term projects, thus helping URI faculty and students become more competitive for future funding.

The funding scope for the MSF is between $1-2 million annually, with 8-12 new awards expected. Most of the awarded funds (>50%) must support faculty and students at URIs, including paid research positions for students. Funds can be used for various purposes, such as mentor training, career development, travel, and other research-related expenses, as well as enhancing laboratory capacities. Importantly, MSF projects must incorporate a NASA partner, who can be a civil servant or contractor working at a NASA Center or Facility, to provide necessary support and resources for research. Projects that are eligible should fall under any division within NASA’s SMD, aligning with the broader strategic goals of NASA.

Eligible institutions for this opportunity are under-resourced institutions, specifically those that have received less than $5 million annually in NASA grant funds over the past five years. The primary investigators (PIs) must also hold appointments at such institutions, though exceptions exist for cases where the PI is from a different institution, provided that the collaboration primarily benefits URIs. Students participating in the program must be enrolled at these institutions, and the collaboration must include a plan for mentoring and training, which is essential for creating future opportunities within NASA or related STEM industries.

Proposals for the MSF can be submitted at any time up to March 28, 2025, with a rolling review process. The deadline for inclusion in the Winter 2025 review has been extended to October 11, 2024, to accommodate those affected by Hurricane Helene. Reviews will occur in winter and summer 2025, with awards expected to be granted in March and August 2025 respectively. The central section of the proposal, which is limited to six pages, must include descriptions of the research partnership, expected impacts, and a mentoring plan. The mentoring plan must outline how students will be integrated into NASA research activities and supported both academically and professionally.

The evaluation of proposals will focus on several key factors: the merit of the research and its potential for future collaborations, the impact on enhancing URI research capabilities, the role of students in the proposed research, and the robustness of the mentoring plan. The program also emphasizes creating an inclusive work environment, both at the URI and NASA facilities, ensuring all participants benefit equitably from the collaboration.

NASA provides several resources to support proposers, including webinars, office hours, and an annual MOSAICS meeting to foster networking and share research progress. Detailed information, guidelines, and frequently updated FAQs are available on the NSPIRES page dedicated to this program. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES or Grants.gov, and NASA encourages potential applicants to review submission details and requirements through these platforms.