The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced the funding opportunity titled ROSES 2025: C.12 Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO) under its Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2025 solicitation. This program element supports research and technology advancements related to planetary science instruments and is part of a broader initiative that funds research in various space and Earth science domains. The funding mechanism for this program includes cooperative agreements and grants, with awards typically lasting three years, though some may extend to five years.

The purpose of the PICASSO program is to support early-stage instrument research and development for planetary exploration. The focus is on advancing technology concepts that can contribute to NASA’s planetary science goals. While specific award amounts are not specified in this synopsis, funding will be allocated based on proposal merit and program priorities. The opportunity is part of NASA’s larger strategy to foster innovation in scientific instrumentation that can be used in future planetary missions.

This program does not have a fixed submission deadline; proposals may be submitted at any time up until the final deadline of March 31, 2026. This rolling submission approach is intended to allow researchers flexibility in proposal preparation while ensuring continuous funding opportunities. The 2025 cycle will transition into the 2026 version of the program, allowing some overlap to accommodate ongoing research efforts. Applicants must retrieve and complete required forms associated with this funding opportunity before submission.

Eligibility is primarily restricted to U.S. institutions, with exceptions for non-U.S. organizations that propose on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. Non-U.S. applicants should consult the NASA Proposer’s Guide for specific guidelines. The program is open to government, private, for-profit, and non-profit organizations, with no restrictions on teaming arrangements. Detailed eligibility requirements and instructions for submission are available in the full program solicitation.

Prospective applicants should access the complete program details through NASA’s NSPIRES system or Grants.gov, where specific program elements are listed in Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES solicitation. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Nalin Ratnayake at hq-picasso@mail.nasa.gov. Additionally, general inquiries about the ROSES-2025 solicitation can be sent to sara@nasa.gov. Regular updates, FAQs, and due date calendars for the program can be accessed through NASA's science research portal.