To expedite progress in various research areas in a short period of time, NASA is requesting proposals for short-term investigations or technology development projects that provide innovative approaches to any of the risks and associated knowledge gaps contained in the Human Research Program (HRP) Integrated Research Plan (IRP).

The results of these short-term investigations are anticipated to deliver new tools, techniques, or knowledge that could lead to novel breakthroughs addressing one or more of the risks and gaps in the IRP. These short-term investigations may provide initial results testing a new scientific approach, or they may provide the initial proof-of-concept for a new technology or method that has not yet been proven to address a risk or gap in the IRP. All short-term investigations are expected to produce novel scientific knowledge or technology development that can stand alone to address a risk or gap in the IRP, but these investigations may also provide the necessary preliminary results to justify a full proposal to a future NASA solicitation.

Important Dates:

The Ariel mission is currently working toward a launch date in late 2029 with a subsequent 4-year prime mission. To meet the ambitious goal of observing and characterizing 1000 exoplanet atmospheres, the Ariel Science Consortium has initiated a comprehensive Ariel Preparatory Science Program that encompasses a variety of activities to provide the characterization, prioritization, and selection of targets that will be required to optimize science operations and advance to science goals of the Ariel mission. The US-CAPS program element is established to solicit proposals from the U.S. community for investigations that will complement the ongoing activities of the Ariel Science Consortium.

This initial U.S. Community participation call is strongly oriented toward gathering data (e.g., time series photometry, high resolution imaging, high resolution spectroscopy, and precision radial velocity) necessary for confirmation of exoplanet candidates, determination of masses and orbits of previously known exoplanets, and stellar characterization. Proposals must be science-driven and address compelling scientific questions in one or more of the foregoing areas within the context of the Ariel working group target lists associated with this call (see below). However, proposals must also describe how the scientific goals of the investigation support the preparatory science needs of the larger Ariel Preparatory Science Program. The degree to which the science goals of the investigation complement the activities of the Ariel Science Consortium and advance the needs of the Ariel Preparatory Science Program will be considered in the evaluation.

Decadal Survey Incubation (DSI) was recommended in the 2017 Earth Science Decadal Survey (https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24938/thriving-on-our-changing-planet-a-decadalstrategy-for-earth) and intended to accelerate readiness of high-priority observables needing science requirements refinement, technology development, and/or other advancements prior to cost-effective flight implementation. Two targeted observables (TOs), both with important science objectives and societal applications, were identified for this program: Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) and Surface Topography and Vegetation (STV). This program element supports the development of Earth observing instrument sensor systems, advanced information systems, and enabling science studies to further advance PBL and STV. The ultimate intent of DSI is to enable the next generation of possible measurement approaches, system architectures, and mission concepts to address PBL and STV needs.

The overarching goals of the DSI program are to promote (1) innovation in the research, development, and demonstration of new measurement technologies in preparation for future integrated observing system architectures, and (2) science activities that support maturation of measurement concepts, retrieval algorithms, models, data assimilation, and/or integrated observing system approaches. The unique opportunity to blend technology development innovation closely guided by the needs of PBL and STV science goals will be a multi-phased approach over the remainder of the decadal period through at least 2027. Cutting-edge technologies for the future of DSI include smart sensors that utilize artificial intelligence, machine learning, onboard processing, photonic integrated circuits, system-on-a-chip solutions, metamaterials/metasurfaces, quantum remote sensing, deployable antennas, room temperature detectors as well as other compact microwave and optical architectures. In addition, Program of Record (POR) sensors, datasets, models, and data assimilation approaches will be exploited during the Incubation period to develop science infrastructure needed to prepare for integrated observing systems in the next decade. The ultimate goal of the Decadal Survey Incubation program is to position PBL and STV observation for low risk and high readiness priority in the next Earth Science Decadal Survey.

The USGS National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) issues this annual Program Announcement for assistance to support preservation, cataloging of and access to geological and geophysical data and materials for research and education use and address the Department of Interior’s Secretarial priorities. This activity is authorized by Section 351 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58, Sec. 351) which was amended by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58).

Through this Artemis IV Deployed Instruments program element, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate solicits proposals for instruments to be deployed on the surface of the Moon during Artemis IV, the second crewed landing of the Artemis campaign. Payloads selected through this program element will be considered candidate payloads for the Artemis IV payload manifest; the final payload manifest will be determined at a later date. Artemis IV will be a landed mission in the south polar region of the Moon, within 6º of latitude from the south pole, providing potential access to surface-accessible volatile deposits. Several of the proposed landing regions are located among some of the oldest parts of the Moon, and together with the permanently shadowed regions, provide the opportunity to learn about the history of the Moon through previously unstudied lunar materials.

Applications such as high performance computing and low-power electronics, both needed for artificial intelligence (AI), require leap-ahead advances in semiconductor advanced packaging. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks proposals for R&D activities that will establish and accelerate domestic semiconductor advanced packaging through investments in five (5) R&D Areas: (1) Equipment, Tools, Processes, and Process Integration; (2) Power Delivery and Thermal Management; (3) Connector Technology, including Photonics and Radio Frequency (RF); (4) Chiplets Ecosystem; and (5) Co-design/Electronic Design Automation (EDA).

The NAPMP seeks to drive U.S. leadership in advanced packaging and provide the technology and skilled workforce needed for packaging manufacturing in the United States. Within a decade, NAPMP-funded activities, coupled with CHIPS manufacturing incentives, will establish a vibrant, self sustaining, profitable, domestic advanced packaging industry where advanced-node chips manufactured in the United States and abroad can be packaged in appropriate volumes within the United States and innovative designs and architectures are enabled through leading-edge packaging capabilities. In combination with other CHIPS for America education and workforce efforts, NAPMP-funded activities will produce the diverse and capable workforce needed for the success of the domestic packaging sector.

The target audience of the METASTARS call for innovation services are SMEs from the Aeronautics, Space, Defence and ICT sectors wishing to submit proposals related to Aerospace & Defence.

This call for innovation services will support six type of activities:
Green technology development (up to €4.000)
Services to support SMEs willing to develop green solutions, processes or internal activities: processes, manufacturing as well as internally (communication, internal processes, etc.).

Digitalisation (up to €6.000)
Services to support SMEs willing to digitalise activities and/ or processes: processes, manufacturing as well as internally (communication, internal processes, etc.).

Upskilling and reskilling (up to €5.500)
Services to boost the SMEs’ skills’ development. Training could be focused either technical and/ or soft skills. It is mandatory that the training benefits more than one person working for the company.

Internationalisation for Japan (up to €5.500)
Services to:
– support the attendance to a conference/ event in Japan to develop business. Travel, accommodation and fees can be supported.
and/or
– receive the support of a consultancy company to design an internationalisation strategy or reach new clients/ partners to Japan.

Internationalisation for Canada (up to €5.500)
Services to:
– support the attendance to a conference/ event in Canada to develop business. Travel, accommodation and fees can be supported.
and/or
– receive the support of a consultancy company to design an internationalisation strategy or reach new clients/ partners to Canada.

Information System Security (up to €15.000)
Services to provide the SME with support to adapt against cyber-attack.

The DOE SC program in Biological and Environmental Research (BER) hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for Atmospheric System Research (ASR) within BER’s Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD). ASR supports research on key cloud, aerosol, precipitation, and radiative transfer processes that affect the Earth’s radiative balance and hydrological cycle, especially processes that limit the predictive ability of regional and global models. This NOFO solicits research grant applications for observational, data analysis, and/or modeling studies that use BER-supported Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility observations to improve understanding and model representation of: 1) Atmospheric processes from ARM’s Coast-Urban-Rural Atmospheric Gradient Experiment (CoURAGE) and 2) High latitude and Southern Ocean atmospheric processes using ARM observations. All research supported by awards under this NOFO is intended to benefit the public through increasing our understanding of the Earth system.

The goal of NASA’s Astrobiology program is the study of the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the Universe. It is central to NASA’s continued exploration of our solar system and beyond. Research is centered on the origin and early evolution of life, the potential of life to adapt to different environments, and the implications for life elsewhere. NASA, together with the science community, has developed the 2015 Astrobiology Strategy that describes the scientific goals and objectives of NASA’s Astrobiology Program.

A wide array of NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) flight missions incorporate astrobiology goals and objectives. For this reason, with this program element NASA is seeking proposals responding to the long-term goals and objectives identified in the Astrobiology Strategy and focused on ensuring that the NASA Astrobiology community is prepared to respond to the challenge of planning and implementing these missions. Accordingly, proposals that place emphasis on research that will help prepare for current or future flight programs directed at astrobiological targets are encouraged.

Proposals for Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research (ICAR) must describe an interdisciplinary approach to a single compelling question in astrobiology, and address at least one aspect of the 2015 Astrobiology Strategy. Team size and resources requested should be appropriate to the scale of the proposed research. There is no ideal size of an ICAR Team. Because this is an opportunity for larger teams and for five years of support, the scope of the research, and subsequently the resources needed, should exceed those typically considered in a ROSES program element (e.g., Exobiology, Habitable Worlds).

NASA is partnering with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the ESA-led Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave observatory planned for launch in the early 2030s. LISA will detect gravitational waves in the milli-Hz band, opening a new window to study the Universe. LISA will measure gravitational radiation from a variety of astrophysical sources including the mergers of massive black holes, the capture of stellar-remnant black holes by galactic center black holes, close compact binaries in our own galaxy, and other potential sources. More information about the LISA mission can be found at https://lisa.nasa.gov.

NASA’s specific contributions to LISA are the subject of ongoing discussions with ESA, but are expected to include elements of the instrument, elements of the spacecraft, and aspects of science data analysis and science interpretation, including potential Guest Investigator activities. While the development of hardware and ground-segment infrastructure is supported by NASA through the NASA LISA Study Office (NLSO) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, this ROSES element concerns the support of U.S.-based investigators for developing tools and techniques for the analysis and interpretation of LISA data.

The LISA Preparatory Science (LPS) program has been created to provide support for U.S. investigators to conduct activities that contribute to furthering the eventual science yield of LISA. It is not intended as a vehicle for funding specific U.S. contributions to the LISA instrument or science ground segment, or to develop concepts for other missions outside of LISA. Proposals to the LPS program may request support to:
– Perform high-fidelity simulations of the expected waveforms for LISA sources and assessing their impact on LISA’s science return;
– Develop data analysis and statistical techniques useful for the extraction of scientific measurements from LISA data (e.g., parameter estimators, etc.);
– Refine and expand on LISA’s capabilities to conduct specific astrophysical investigations and evaluate LISA’s potential contributions in the context of the broader astrophysical landscape;
– Conduct astrophysics investigations that demonstrably prepare for the analysis and interpretation of the LISA data.

The Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics (MMS) Program is an interdisciplinary program in the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences that supports the development of innovative analytical and statistical methods and models for those sciences. MMS seeks proposals that are methodologically innovative, grounded in theory, and have potential utility for multiple fields within the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. As part of its larger portfolio, the MMS Program partners with a consortium of federal statistical agencies to support research proposals that further the production and use of official statistics.

The MMS Program provides support through a number of different funding mechanisms. The following mechanisms are addressed in this solicitation:

– Regular Research Awards
– Awards for conferences and community-development activities
– Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (DDRI) Grants
– Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Supplements

MMS also supports Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) awards. Please see the CAREER Program Web Site for more information about this activity.