ROSES 2025: D.5 Astrophysics Pioneers

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through its Science Mission Directorate (SMD), has released the 2025 iteration of its omnibus Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) funding announcement. Within this expansive framework, the specific program element “D.5 Astrophysics Pioneers” seeks innovative scientific proposals to advance NASA's astrophysics goals. This element is categorized under discretionary grants and cooperative agreements and represents a key avenue for funding foundational and applied research in space science and technology. It is issued through NASA Headquarters and aligns with the federal Assistance Listing 43.001 – Science. The D.5 Astrophysics Pioneers program supports projects that are forward-looking and offer high potential to significantly enhance scientific knowledge in astrophysics. Although the exact funding levels are not stated, selected projects are typically awarded under cooperative agreements or grants rather than contracts, reflecting NASA’s preference for collaborative, research-intensive proposals rather than procurement-based projects. This funding mechanism allows a flexible framework for the integration of technical collaboration between NASA and awardees. The performance period for awards under this program typically spans three years, with provisions for up to five years depending on the nature of the research proposed. Eligibility for the Astrophysics Pioneers program is open to organizations affiliated with NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System). NASA primarily funds U.S.-based institutions, although foreign organizations may participate under a no-exchange-of-funds policy. Proposals involving joint participation with non-U.S. entities must adhere to special conditions outlined in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM). Organizations interested in applying should ensure compliance with these guidelines, particularly in collaborative scenarios involving U.S. and international personnel. The application process for this funding opportunity includes a mandatory pre-application step. A Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted via NSPIRES by February 11, 2026. Full proposals are due by April 2, 2026. Most ROSES program elements, including this one, require submission through NSPIRES, although use of Grants.gov may be accommodated if requested at least 30 days in advance. Applicants are directed to Tables 2 and 3 in the ROSES 2025 solicitation at solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025table2 and ROSES2025table3 for full program element documentation, including proposal instructions and evaluation criteria. Evaluation of submitted proposals will be conducted by NASA program officers, with peer review processes applied as appropriate to each scientific division. Specific review criteria and proposal formatting requirements are provided in the individual PDF files downloadable from the NSPIRES portal. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the “Summary of Solicitation” for overarching submission requirements, as well as program-specific documents for details unique to each element. General inquiries may be directed to the SMD Deputy Associate Administrator for Research via email at [email protected], while technical or archive-related questions can be addressed to Pablo Saz Parkinson and Hashima Hasan, whose contact details are listed in the Grants.gov synopsis. This program is part of NASA's larger commitment to promoting cutting-edge scientific inquiry through open competition and regular updates to its funding opportunities. The D.5 Astrophysics Pioneers element reflects a broader effort to seed bold, high-impact astrophysical research across the U.S. scientific community. The program is recurring, with annual releases and amendments, and prospective applicants are advised to monitor the ROSES blog and mailing lists for updates and new elements as they are issued.