The Discovery Data Analysis Program (DDAP) is part of NASA's efforts to advance planetary sciences by supporting research that utilizes data from various Discovery Program missions and select other missions. The aim is to enhance the scientific return of these missions through innovative data analysis, new interpretations, and theoretical or experimental approaches.

Significant changes in this year's Notice of Funding Opportunity include a switch to a two-step proposal submission process, including both Step-1 and Step-2 proposals in an anonymized format for a dual-anonymous peer review process. Proposers are also required to submit an Open Science Data Management Plan (OSDMP), which has expanded to include a two-page section detailing how data, tools, and results will be shared openly.

The program supports proposals that investigate any research topic relevant to the goals of NASA's 2018 Strategic Plan and 2020 Science Mission Directorate Vision for Scientific Excellence. Proposals must focus on data from specific listed missions, including NEAR, Stardust, Genesis, Deep Impact, MESSENGER, and others. This includes innovative scientific investigations that use tools such as artificial intelligence or machine learning, and collaborations between computer scientists and planetary scientists are encouraged.

There are specific exclusions to this program, such as proposals for exclusively producing data products or proposals relevant to other specific program elements like the Lunar Data Analysis Program or Mars Data Analysis Program. The main focus must be scientific investigation based on data analysis from listed missions.

Budgets for proposals must be categorized as small, medium, or large, but a detailed budget is not required at the time of submission. Instead, a budget justification and an anonymized table of personnel efforts must be included. After the review process, detailed budgets may be requested.

The evaluation of proposals is based on criteria such as the likelihood of success in achieving the program's goals, familiarity with mission data, and the overall relevance of the proposal to NASA's planetary science goals. Approximately 16 awards are expected, with a total budget of around $2 million for the first year of new awards, and the typical duration of awards is between 1-3 years.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via NSPIRES or Grants.gov, and the main points of contact for the program include Aaron Burton, Kenneth Hansen, and Michael Lienhard.