The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced the ROSES 2024: E.12 Physical Sciences Research Studies funding opportunity. This program is part of the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) initiative, which supports a variety of fundamental and applied research projects in space and Earth sciences. The solicitation invites researchers to propose studies that contribute to NASA’s objectives in these fields, emphasizing scientific advancements that may have applications in space exploration, technology development, and related areas.

Eligibility for this opportunity is primarily restricted to institutions affiliated with NASA’s NSPIRES system, with funding generally available only to U.S. institutions. However, international organizations may participate on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, subject to specific policies outlined in the NASA Proposer’s Guide. Some program elements may be jointly issued with non-U.S. organizations, particularly for space science programs involving international collaboration. Additionally, new eligibility clarifications have been made regarding proposals from new NASA investigators.

Funding for this program will be awarded through cooperative agreements, grants, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers, depending on the nature of the work proposed and the type of proposing organization. While the estimated total program funding is not specified, awards typically range in duration from three to five years. Some program elements may have shorter durations. NASA encourages participation from a diverse range of entities, including government agencies, private organizations (both for-profit and non-profit), and academic institutions, with flexibility in teaming arrangements.

To apply, proposers must submit a Step-1 proposal by February 25, 2025. Only those who submit a Step-1 proposal will be eligible to submit a Step-2 proposal, which is due on May 20, 2025. The solicitation package includes required forms and detailed proposal instructions, which must be retrieved from the associated application package. Applicants should also review the detailed program element information available on NASA’s NSPIRES platform to ensure compliance with specific requirements.

Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria that typically include scientific and technical merit, relevance to NASA’s mission, feasibility of the proposed research plan, and qualifications of the research team. Additionally, compliance with NASA’s policies, including data management and reporting requirements, will be considered during the evaluation process. Specific evaluation criteria for each program element are provided within the individual solicitation documents.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review frequently asked questions (FAQs) and additional guidance available on NASA’s research support pages. To stay informed about amendments or new program elements, proposers may subscribe to NASA’s mailing lists, blog feeds, and due date calendars. For further inquiries, applicants can contact NASA representatives via email as specified in the funding announcement.