ROSES25: B.6 Heliophysics Technology and Instrument Development for Science

The Heliophysics Technology and Instrument Development for Science (H-TIDeS) program is a newly amended element under NASA’s ROSES-2025 solicitation, announced on January 12, 2026. Administered by NASA’s Heliophysics Division, the program aims to advance innovative scientific instrumentation and technologies that support heliophysics research. As part of the broader Heliophysics Research Program, H-TIDeS encourages proposals that align with NASA’s heliophysics goals, particularly those identified in the 2024 Heliophysics Decadal Survey. These goals include investigating fundamental processes in solar and space physics and supporting NASA's mission to expand humanity's presence in space, including lunar and Martian exploration. H-TIDeS encompasses three main sub-elements: the Laboratory Nuclear, Atomic and Plasma Physics (LNAPP) program, the Instrument Technology Development (ITD) program, and the Instrument Technology Development on the Space Working Environment (ITD-SWE). The LNAPP sub-element supports fundamental research in atomic and plasma processes relevant to heliophysics measurements and modeling. ITD focuses on developing cutting-edge instruments and sensor technologies that can be integrated into future space missions. The ITD-SWE sub-element specifically targets the characterization of the small object space environment, such as dust and debris, and their impact on spacecraft systems and scientific instruments. Each of these areas supports technology maturation and scientific discovery that aligns with NASA’s future heliophysics mission planning. The program will fund technologies capable of enhancing or enabling missions supported under various NASA flight opportunities such as Heliophysics Low Cost Access to Space (H-LCAS) or Heliophysics Flight Opportunities for Research and Technology (H-FORT). Eligible proposals must demonstrate innovation through either new measurement approaches, use of higher-risk existing technologies, novel application concepts, or application-oriented measurements. Each proposal must include a science traceability matrix linking NASA’s science goals, relevant scientific or application objectives, and the proposed technical work or observations. The evaluation will assess how well the proposed work addresses the science questions and how the proposed measurements translate into mission-level instrument requirements. H-TIDeS will follow a Dual Anonymous Peer Review (DAPR) process. Applicants must prepare their submissions in accordance with NASA’s anonymization guidelines, ensuring that no identifying information is revealed in the main proposal document. A separate “Expertise and Resources Not Anonymized” document must contain team roles, biographies, facilities, budget, and letters of support. Each proposal will be evaluated based on scientific merit, relevance to the heliophysics program, and cost reasonableness. For proposals scoring highly, reviewers will subsequently be given access to the team’s qualifications and resources to complete final evaluations. Proposals are due by April 15, 2026, and may be submitted via NASA’s NSPIRES portal. An Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the application, and a science traceability matrix is mandatory. The maximum duration for awards is three years. Awarded investigators will be required to submit progress reports regularly—potentially quarterly—to the Heliophysics Strategic Technology Office. Budgets for the first year of new awards are projected at $1.6M for ITD, $0.35M for ITD-SWE, and $0.4M for LNAPP. NASA anticipates awarding 3–4 ITD grants, 1 ITD-SWE, and 1–2 LNAPP awards. Eligibility is broad but excludes interagency awards. Only non-federal entities, including universities and nonprofits, are eligible for funding, while federal agencies and FFRDCs may participate at no cost to NASA. International collaborators are also eligible but must be included as unfunded co-investigators with supporting documentation. The submission must be electronic, and all proposals must comply with ROSES guidelines and formatting requirements. Additional information, including proposal instructions and necessary templates, is available via NSPIRES and associated documentation.

Follow dual-anonymous review rules strictly; ensure the science traceability matrix is complete and connected to NASA science goals.