The Artemis IV Deployed Instruments Program (A4DI), part of NASA’s Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2024 initiative, invites proposals for research and development projects aligned with space and Earth science goals. This program element is under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and is designed to support the deployment and operation of scientific instruments for Artemis IV lunar missions. Awards may be structured as grants, cooperative agreements, or other instruments depending on the proposed work and organization. This program operates under a discretionary funding mechanism, offering flexibility for eligible institutions to address innovative scientific challenges.

The primary purpose of the Artemis IV Deployed Instruments Program is to advance scientific understanding of the lunar environment and its implications for broader planetary and space sciences. Specific objectives include supporting research that enhances NASA's goals of exploration and discovery, fostering collaborative opportunities between domestic and international researchers, and developing cutting-edge technologies for data collection and analysis. Proposals should focus on leveraging the Artemis program to contribute to the broader field of planetary science.

Funding for this opportunity does not require cost-sharing or matching. While the total program funding and award ceilings are unspecified, awards typically support a three-year period of performance, with some extensions possible. NASA encourages proposals from various types of organizations, including government, private, for-profit, non-profit, domestic, and, under specific guidelines, international institutions. Collaborative efforts across institutions and disciplines are welcome, provided they align with the policy of no exchange of funds for international partnerships. Proposers should consult the ROSES 2024 solicitation for specific details about the funding mechanism and proposal content.

Eligibility is open to institutions registered on NASA’s NSPIRES platform. U.S. institutions are the primary recipients of funding, but international organizations may participate in compliance with NASA’s funding policies, particularly in no-exchange-of-funds arrangements. Researchers affiliated with eligible institutions are invited to submit proposals that adhere to the guidelines outlined in the NASA Proposer's Guide. Specific details and any additional eligibility criteria are available in the program documentation.

The application process requires the submission of a Step-1 proposal by the original deadline of December 17, 2024, as a prerequisite for submitting a Step-2 proposal, now due on March 7, 2025. Both steps must comply with the requirements detailed in the solicitation, including the use of required forms provided in the application package. Proposers must download and review the relevant instructions from the NSPIRES platform to ensure compliance.

Proposals will be evaluated based on their scientific merit, alignment with program objectives, feasibility, and the qualifications of the proposing team. Technical inquiries and clarification requests should be directed to the appropriate points of contact listed in the announcement. NASA provides various resources to support applicants, including FAQs, program officer lists, and updates on program amendments through its subscription services and blog feeds.

Applicants are encouraged to stay informed about any amendments or updates to the solicitation via the ROSES-2024 website, blog, or mailing lists. The final archive date for this funding opportunity is April 6, 2025, marking the closure of all related activities. For detailed program information, including links to additional resources and specific program elements, visit the official NSPIRES pages referenced in the announcement.