ROSES25: F.6 Science Activation Program

The ROSES: F.6 Science Activation Program, administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its Science Mission Directorate (SMD), is part of NASA’s broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) omnibus announcement. This funding opportunity reflects NASA’s strategic commitment to engage broader communities in science through activation programs that connect NASA science with learners of all ages and backgrounds. The ROSES25: F.6 Science Activation Program seeks to support cooperative agreements and grants that help translate and disseminate NASA science to a wider public, including underrepresented groups, through effective science communication and engagement. The ROSES25 solicitation functions as an umbrella opportunity encompassing numerous program elements, with each element having distinct requirements and due dates. F.6 Science Activation focuses on making NASA science more accessible and usable by public audiences, with particular attention to inclusivity, engagement quality, and collaborative partnerships. The specific structure of Science Activation awards supports both new initiatives and extensions of prior successful efforts that align with NASA’s goals of public engagement and education. Funding under this program will be distributed as either grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the nature of the proposed work. The estimated total funding for the program is not specified in the current notice. Similarly, while no ceiling or floor amount is provided, previous awards in similar programs suggest a range depending on scope, collaboration level, and duration. Most projects funded under ROSES program elements, including this one, span three years, although durations of up to five years are permitted for some efforts. While cost-sharing is not required, a strong value demonstration of proposed work is expected. No matching funds are mandated. Eligibility is open to proposers affiliated with U.S.-based institutions registered with NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System). While NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions, international organizations may participate under a no-exchange-of-funds policy and should refer to the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual for specifics. Some exceptions may exist for jointly sponsored space science programs or those involving international collaboration, provided the necessary conditions are met. Applicants are encouraged to submit an optional Notice of Intent (NOI) by January 26, 2026, with full proposals due by March 31, 2026. Proposal submission occurs via NSPIRES, and applicants must comply with formatting and content requirements, including the use of anonymized review procedures. The proposal’s Science/Technical/Management (S/T/M) section must not exceed 18 pages and must include an anonymized table of work effort as specified in Section 3.3.2 of the program element documentation. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted using a dual-anonymous review process, and responses to proposer questions will be compiled into an FAQ posted on the NSPIRES page for this program. A DAPR (Dual Anonymous Peer Review) Q&A session is scheduled for February 11, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are encouraged to participate and submit questions via the designated CNF.io session. Updates, corrections, and detailed instructions regarding the program are posted on the NSPIRES platform under the announcement documents for this element. For further information, applicants may contact Lin Chambers at [email protected].

Follow formatting guidelines strictly, especially anonymized sections and required templates. Consult posted FAQs and attend Q&A webinars for clarifications.