ROSES25: F.6 Science Activation Program

The ROSES-25: F.6 Science Activation Program is administered by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and is part of the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 omnibus announcement. This specific program element is designed to bridge the gap between NASA science and learners of all ages, with the overarching goal of enabling NASA science to empower learners and educators through activation efforts. The Science Activation (SciAct) initiative focuses on broadening participation in STEM and engaging diverse communities across the United States through inclusive educational practices and collaborative partnerships. NASA, a leader in space and Earth science research, utilizes this program to strengthen the dissemination and application of its scientific discoveries through education and outreach. The program promotes the effective use of NASA science content and data, ensuring that public audiences and learning institutions can access, understand, and apply space and Earth science information. Successful proposals are expected to align with NASA’s strategic goals, demonstrate innovative engagement strategies, and show clear plans for evaluating learning impacts and outcomes. Proposals must adhere to specific submission guidelines, including the preparation of a central Science/Technical/Management section not exceeding 18 pages. Submissions will undergo a dual-anonymous peer review process, which helps ensure objective evaluation based on merit and alignment with program objectives. Proposers must submit optional Notices of Intent by January 26, 2026, through the NSPIRES portal, with full proposals due by March 31, 2026. A pre-proposal webinar will be held on January 9, 2026, to guide potential applicants. Eligibility is generally limited to U.S.-based institutions, although international entities may participate under a no-exchange-of-funds policy or in cooperation with U.S. investigators. Specific guidelines and exceptions for foreign participation are outlined in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM). NASA encourages a variety of organizational types to apply, including educational institutions, nonprofits, and consortia, provided they demonstrate capability and alignment with SciAct goals. The program anticipates making awards as either grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the nature of the proposed activities. While the total funding available and the number of awards are not specified in the synopsis, awards typically support projects with a performance period of up to three years. In special cases, longer project durations may be considered. Although cost sharing is not required, the capacity for collaboration and leveraging resources is viewed favorably in proposal evaluations. For further guidance, potential applicants can refer to the program's full documentation accessible via NSPIRES. Questions about the F.6 Science Activation element may be directed to Lin Chambers at NASA Headquarters via email. Responses to frequently asked questions will be published on the NSPIRES program page. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the full text of the announcement and attend the pre-proposal webinar to understand expectations and improve proposal quality.

Attend the January 9 webinar and carefully follow dual-anonymous review guidance in Section 3.4 and FAQs.