The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced the ROSES 2025: C.10 Cassini Data Analysis Program (CDAP) funding opportunity. This grant is part of the annual omnibus Research Announcement, Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2025, which supports basic and applied research in space and Earth sciences. The CDAP program specifically focuses on the analysis of data from the Cassini mission, which explored Saturn and its system, including its rings and moons. The goal of this program is to enhance the scientific return from Cassini by supporting researchers in analyzing and interpreting mission data.

The CDAP opportunity is open to proposers affiliated with an institution registered with NASA’s NSPIRES system. While NASA primarily provides funding to U.S. institutions, organizations outside the United States may apply under a no-exchange-of-funds policy. Certain NASA Research Announcements (NRAs) may be jointly issued with non-U.S. organizations for specific international space science collaborations. Interested applicants are encouraged to refer to NASA's Proposer’s Guide for additional eligibility requirements and special instructions for international applicants.

Applications to this grant must follow a two-step submission process. The deadline for Step-1 proposals is June 6, 2025, and only those who submit a Step-1 proposal may proceed to Step-2, which has a submission deadline of August 14, 2025. Proposers are required to download and complete specific forms included in the official application package. Instructions for these required forms can be found in the associated zip file linked to the application package.

Funding for the CDAP program will be provided through grants and cooperative agreements, though in some cases contracts may be used depending on the nature of the proposed work. Most awards will be for a duration of three years, though some projects may receive funding for up to five years. The total program funding, award ceiling, and award floor have not been specified in the announcement.

For applicants seeking more detailed information on the solicitation, including the proposal structure and evaluation criteria, NASA has provided comprehensive guidelines through the ROSES 2025 solicitation documents, which can be accessed online. Additionally, general questions regarding the ROSES 2025 funding opportunity may be directed to the office of the SMD Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at sara@nasa.gov. For specific inquiries about the CDAP program, applicants can contact Nicholas Lang or Henry Throop at HQ-CDAP@mail.nasa.gov.

To stay updated on amendments, clarifications, and due dates, applicants are encouraged to subscribe to NASA’s SMD mailing lists, follow the ROSES-2025 blog, or add the relevant due date Google calendars. More information on these resources is available on NASA's official website.