Supports innovative, early-stage space technology research at low Technology Readiness Levels addressing civil-space needs. Proposals must focus on one of eight specific topics including hypersonic flows, autonomous maintenance for Moon/Mars, refractory alloys, thermal protection materials, supersonic retropropulsion, autonomous navigation, electrospray thrusters, and robotic construction for lunar/martian power grids. Only U.S. institutions of higher education with tenured or tenure-track faculty PIs are eligible. Mandatory preliminary proposals are due August 13, 2026, with invited full prop
Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education. The Principal Investigator must be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the proposing institution. Teaming and collaboration are allowed under solicitation rules.
