Research Opportunities

Much of our science research is funded through a process that begins with an NASA Research Announcement (NRA). Each NRA solicits research proposals based on programmatic goals and available resources. After a competitive, independent peer-review process, grants are awarded to researchers whose proposals are judged to have the best overall scientific and technical merit and address the research emphases defined in the NRA.

Grant Funding Overview
Funding for research is typically administered in one-year increments for activities lasting up to four years. Grant amounts may range from $50,000 to $200,00. Current Physical Sciences research opportunities and past NRAs are posted on the NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) website.

Each NRA describes the focus areas for research and defines when, where, and how proposals should be delivered. Most NRAs strongly encourage researchers to submit a Notice of Intent to propose so that NASA can plan for the review process, convene peer review panels, and coordinate related activities. Notices of Intent can be submitted via many methods, including an interactive web site called SYS-EYFUS, which is also specified in the solicitation.

Post-Award Grant Reviews and Responsibilities
To evaluate proposals the NASA Program Officer selects an independent review panel based on their known expertise relevant to the proposal content. Final selections are made by a NASA official, and all proposers are notified of the disposition of their proposal. After a grant is awarded, funding is administered by a Grant Officer. Ongoing research is regularly reviewed by a Technical Monitor appointed by the Government. NASA expects that results from funded research will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals as the work progresses. These published papers must acknowledge NASA's support and identify the grant or contract providing funding. Investigators must also provide NASA with annual progress reports that are made available to the scientific community.

Links to information about research opportunities and the grant proposal process are found on the grant information page.