ROSES 2025: C.25 Lunar Mapping Program

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has released the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 solicitation, which includes numerous program elements focused on basic and applied scientific research and technology. One of these elements, the Lunar Mapping Program (LMAP), is part of NASA's ongoing efforts to support lunar science and exploration through mapping and data analysis. The funding opportunity, designated as NNH25ZDA001N-LMAP, is a discretionary program that offers grants and cooperative agreements to support research in science, technology, and other areas of research and development. The solicitation provides funding for projects that contribute to NASA’s planetary science initiatives, with a particular emphasis on lunar mapping.

The ROSES-2025 solicitation is structured as an omnibus funding announcement, meaning it includes many separate program elements, each with specific due dates and objectives. Awards under this program may take the form of grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, depending on the nature of the research and collaboration proposed. However, most awards are expected to be grants. The performance period for awards is typically three years, although some programs may extend up to five years or be shorter depending on the specific program requirements.

Eligible applicants for this opportunity must be affiliated with an institution registered with NASA's NSPIRES system (https://nspires.nasaprs.com). Generally, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions, but organizations outside the United States may propose projects under a no-exchange-of-funds policy. Some program elements may be issued in collaboration with non-U.S. entities, particularly for guest observing programs in space science. For additional guidance on eligibility, proposers should consult NASA’s Proposer’s Guide.

Applications for the Lunar Mapping Program must be submitted electronically, and at least one required form must be attached to the proposal package. Proposers are advised to download the relevant program element documentation from Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES solicitation (https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025table2 and https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025table3) to obtain detailed instructions. The proposal submission must follow the standard NASA guidelines outlined in the ROSES-2025 Summary of Solicitation (https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025). Applications must be received no later than June 12, 2025, and NASA requires at least 30 days’ notice if an applicant wishes to submit through Grants.gov rather than NSPIRES.

The review process for proposals will follow NASA’s standard merit evaluation criteria, which include scientific and technical merit, relevance to NASA’s planetary science objectives, feasibility of the proposed work, and the qualifications of the team. Specific evaluation criteria may be detailed in the individual program element descriptions. Prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to NASA’s frequently asked questions page (http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/faqs) and contact program officers for clarifications regarding particular elements. General inquiries about ROSES-2025 should be directed to the office of the SMD Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at sara@nasa.gov.

For more information about this funding opportunity, interested applicants can reach out to the designated program contacts, Sarah Noble and Amanda Nahm, via email at HQ-LMAP@mail.nasa.gov. Applicants can also subscribe to NASA’s mailing lists or blog feeds for updates on amendments and clarifications regarding ROSES-2025. The program announcement is archived on July 12, 2025, following the conclusion of the application process.