The Citizen Science Seed Funding Program, part of NASA's annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) omnibus announcement, seeks to support early-stage development of citizen science projects aligned with NASA's scientific mission. Administered by the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) at NASA Headquarters, this program is structured to encourage innovative, participatory research where members of the public engage in scientific inquiry. The initiative emphasizes broad public participation in scientific research and the co-creation of science, addressing both Earth and space science challenges.
NASA’s ROSES omnibus NRA contains many individually defined program elements, each with specific goals and deadlines. This particular element, F.9 Citizen Science Seed Funding, supports projects that initiate new citizen science efforts or significantly enhance existing ones. While specific budgets or award numbers are not pre-defined, funding is made available as either grants or cooperative agreements, with the typical performance period extending up to three years. NASA does not generally fund contracts through this program.
Eligibility is primarily limited to U.S.-based institutions, consistent with NASA policy, although organizations outside the U.S. may apply on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. All proposers must be affiliated with institutions registered on NSPIRES, NASA's proposal submission portal. Further eligibility considerations may apply for proposals involving international partnerships or U.S. personnel supported by NASA funding.
Applications must be submitted through NSPIRES, and while Notices of Intent are optional, they are encouraged and must be submitted by October 1, 2025. The proposal due date was amended to January 22, 2026, due to a lapse in government funding. Full application instructions, including program requirements and allowable activities, are outlined in the specific PDF of the F.9 element available via NSPIRES Tables 2 and 3. Evaluation of proposals will depend on alignment with NASA’s mission, the potential for public engagement, and scientific merit.
The program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds, and submissions through Grants.gov are only permitted upon request 30 days in advance. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the ROSES Summary of Solicitation and individual element guidelines. Contact information for the program's main and divisional officers is provided for applicant inquiries, including Marc Kuchner as the Citizen Science Officer.
Proposers should review division-specific overviews to ensure mission alignment. Optional NOIs may improve responsiveness.
