The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced the ROSES 2025: C.16 Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples funding opportunity. This opportunity falls under NASA's annual omnibus Research Announcement, Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2025, which supports a broad range of basic and applied research and technology initiatives. The Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples program focuses on the scientific study of extraterrestrial samples returned from space missions to deepen understanding of planetary materials and processes. This funding opportunity is part of NASA’s broader effort to support space and Earth sciences research.

NASA will fund projects primarily through grants and cooperative agreements, with contracts being excluded in most cases due to the nature of the research being solicited. The program is open to U.S. institutions, and international organizations may participate under specific conditions outlined in the NASA Proposer’s Guide. Proposals must be affiliated with an institution listed in the NSPIRES system. Some foreign institutions may submit proposals based on a no-exchange-of-funds policy, and additional restrictions may apply to programs jointly issued with non-U.S. organizations.

There is no strict proposal due date for this program element, as proposals can be submitted at any time until the final closing date of March 31, 2026. This flexibility allows researchers to plan their submissions accordingly while adhering to specific eligibility and submission timing guidelines. The program operates under the framework of ROSES-25 rules and the current Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM). The next iteration, ROSES-26, is expected to overlap with ROSES-25 by a few weeks to ensure continuous submission of proposals.

Interested applicants must download and review the associated application package from the NSPIRES platform to ensure compliance with all requirements. The program guidelines specify that at least one required form must be included in the submission package. Applicants should refer to Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES solicitation for specific program element details, including eligibility, funding levels, and proposal instructions.

For general inquiries regarding the ROSES-2025 solicitation, applicants may contact the office of the SMD Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at sara@nasa.gov. Specific questions regarding the Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples program should be directed to Katharine Robinson or Curtis Williams at HQ-LARS@mail.nasa.gov. Additional information, including FAQs, program officer contacts, and subscription options for updates, can be accessed through NASA’s research support websites.