The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has released a funding opportunity as part of its annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 solicitation. The specific program element, B.9 Heliophysics Low Cost Access to Space, focuses on advancing heliophysics research by providing funding for projects that enable cost-effective access to space for scientific investigations. The goal is to support research efforts that utilize small satellites, CubeSats, high-altitude balloons, or other low-cost platforms to explore heliophysics phenomena.

This funding opportunity is part of the broader ROSES 2025 omnibus solicitation, which includes multiple individual program elements addressing various research areas within NASA’s purview. The specific program elements, their requirements, and deadlines are listed in Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES 2025 solicitation. The primary funding mechanism for this program is through grants and cooperative agreements. Contracts are generally not applicable unless explicitly stated in individual program elements. The period of performance for funded projects typically spans three years, though some programs may allow for up to five years, depending on the nature of the work.

Eligible applicants must be affiliated with an institution registered on NASA’s NSPIRES system. NASA typically funds only U.S. institutions, but foreign organizations may participate under specific conditions outlined in the NASA Proposer’s Guide. In some cases, joint solicitations with non-U.S. organizations may be permitted, particularly for collaborative space science programs. Prospective applicants should refer to the Proposer’s Guide for details regarding eligibility requirements for international collaborations and restrictions.

Applicants must retrieve the official application package, including required forms, from the provided NASA solicitation links. Submissions must adhere to NASA’s proposal guidelines, and in 2025, most program elements will only allow Grants.gov submissions if requested at least 30 days before the deadline. The closing date for this funding opportunity is July 17, 2025. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered. Additionally, an FAQ section is available on the NASA Science website to assist applicants with common inquiries regarding the ROSES program and proposal process.

The selection criteria for this funding opportunity will include scientific merit, relevance to NASA’s mission, feasibility of the proposed project, and potential impact on the field of heliophysics. Proposals will be evaluated by a peer-review process, and awards will be granted based on the availability of funding and alignment with NASA’s strategic objectives. Interested applicants can access further details, including submission requirements and evaluation criteria, through the official NASA solicitation website.

For inquiries related to this funding opportunity, applicants can contact the NASA Headquarters program representatives, Sabrina Savage and Ennio Sanchez, via email at hq-hpd-lcas@mail.nasa.gov. Additional updates and amendments to the ROSES 2025 solicitation can be tracked through the NASA Science mailing lists, the ROSES blog feed, and the ROSES due date Google calendars.