ROSES25: F.19 Collaborative Opportunities for Mentorship, Partnership and Academic Success in Science

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through its Science Mission Directorate (SMD), has released a new program element under the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) – 2025 omnibus solicitation, titled "Collaborative Opportunities for Mentorship, Partnership and Academic Success in Science" (COMPASS). This program, identified as ROSES25: F.19, is designed to foster collaborative research environments that support mentorship and academic partnerships, with the broader goal of advancing scientific engagement and education across diverse institutions. This funding opportunity reflects NASA's continued investment in enhancing the quality and inclusivity of scientific research in the U.S. by supporting projects that build capacity and foster career development, especially among underrepresented groups in STEM fields. NASA's ROSES solicitation encompasses a wide array of program elements, each with specific thematic priorities and deadlines. COMPASS is among the newly introduced elements, aiming to enhance the impact of NASA-supported science by promoting collaboration between researchers, institutions, and educators. The program encourages partnerships between academic institutions, particularly those that may not traditionally engage with NASA, to promote knowledge-sharing and long-term scientific mentorship. NASA will accept proposals from institutions registered at the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES), and while the agency generally limits funding to U.S.-based organizations, international participation is allowed under no-exchange-of-funds arrangements. Non-U.S. participants must consult the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) for guidance. The scope of allowable activities under this program includes academic collaborations, capacity-building projects, and mentorship networks that leverage existing research programs and enhance participant engagement in NASA's science goals. Projects may span a period of up to five years, with three years being the typical performance period. The mechanism of award may be a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract, although most extramural awards from ROSES are issued as grants. Proposers should reference the full ROSES-2025 Summary of Solicitation for general proposal structure, format requirements, and submission policies applicable across all program elements. The application process does not require a Notice of Intent for COMPASS. Proposals must be submitted through the NSPIRES portal by the deadline of March 20, 2026. Submission through Grants.gov is only available if requested at least 30 days prior to the due date. All proposals must conform to NASA’s stated requirements for formatting and submission procedures, which can be found within the ROSES Tables 2 and 3. Each program element, including COMPASS, has its own dedicated PDF document detailing specific goals, evaluation criteria, and eligibility expectations. Applicants are advised to read these documents carefully to tailor their proposals accordingly. Evaluation criteria for this opportunity are likely to focus on scientific merit, potential for meaningful collaboration and mentorship, diversity and inclusion efforts, and alignment with NASA’s strategic objectives in science. While not all program elements are known at the time of the ROSES release, ongoing updates and amendments are provided via NSPIRES, the ROSES blog, and SMD email subscriptions. Proposers are encouraged to monitor these platforms regularly for the most accurate and current guidance. For questions regarding this program element, applicants should reach out to Steven Villanueva Jr. at NASA Headquarters via email. General inquiries about ROSES-2025 may also be directed to the SMD Deputy Associate Administrator for Research at [email protected]. The performance period for awards under this opportunity typically spans three to five years. The grant is not recurring, and no cost-sharing or matching requirement is noted. While the estimated program funding, award floor, and ceiling are not disclosed in the synopsis, further details may be available in the specific program PDF, accessible via the links to ROSES Tables 2 and 3.