ROSES 2025: C.4 Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is soliciting proposals for the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 program, specifically for the Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools (PDART) element. This funding opportunity supports projects aimed at archiving, restoring, and developing tools to enhance the accessibility and usability of planetary science data. The ROSES-25 omnibus announcement encompasses multiple program elements across various fields of space and Earth science research, with each having its own due dates and specific research focus. The PDART element focuses on planetary science research and seeks proposals that contribute to preserving and improving access to planetary data.

Proposals submitted under this opportunity should focus on the enhancement of planetary science data, including activities such as digitization, calibration, data preservation, and the development of tools that improve access to and analysis of planetary data sets. NASA's goal is to ensure that planetary data remains useful for current and future scientific research. This funding can be used to support efforts such as developing software tools, standardizing data formats, and restoring older datasets that might otherwise be lost or difficult to use with modern analytical techniques.

This funding opportunity is available to U.S.-based institutions, with some provisions for international participation. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered on NASA’s NSPIRES platform. While most awards will be granted to U.S. institutions, international organizations may submit proposals under a no-exchange-of-funds policy. Additionally, some program elements within ROSES may be issued in collaboration with non-U.S. organizations, particularly in cases where space science programs are jointly sponsored. Special guidelines for international proposers are available in NASA’s Proposer’s Guide.

There is no specific deadline for proposal submissions under this program element; proposals may be submitted at any time before the final closing date of March 31, 2026. The absence of a fixed deadline allows for continuous submissions, ensuring that researchers can apply when ready. However, applicants must be mindful of NASA's proposal submission policies, particularly regarding resubmissions and avoiding duplicate proposals. The ROSES-26 version of this program is expected to overlap briefly with the ROSES-25 timeline to facilitate ongoing submission opportunities across grant cycles.

Awards under this opportunity will typically be granted as cooperative agreements or standard research grants, depending on the nature of the proposed work. The period of performance for most awards will be three years, although some projects may be approved for durations of up to five years. While the total available funding amount and expected number of awards have not been specified, NASA encourages applicants to review Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES 2025 solicitation for further details on funding distribution.

Applicants are required to retrieve and complete the necessary forms associated with this funding opportunity. These forms are available within the instructions document found in the application package. NASA provides extensive resources to assist proposers, including a Proposer’s Guide, FAQ pages, and a list of program officers who can provide guidance on specific elements of the ROSES program. General inquiries about the ROSES 2025 solicitation can be directed to the Science Mission Directorate Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at sara@nasa.gov. Questions specific to this PDART program element should be directed to Nicholas Lang or Kenneth Hansen via email at hq-pdart@mail.nasa.gov.