NSF/CASIS Transport Phenomena Research at the International Space Station to Benefit Life on Earth

The NSF/CASIS Transport Phenomena Research at the International Space Station (ISS) grant, managed jointly by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), supports fundamental and translational research utilizing the unique microgravity environment of the ISS National Laboratory. The program is a collaboration between multiple NSF divisions including Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems; Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation; and Materials Research. CASIS, operating under a cooperative agreement with NASA, oversees U.S. national uses of the ISS National Lab and facilitates operational feasibility, hardware integration, and implementation support for selected projects. This grant targets scientific exploration in transport phenomena such as fluid dynamics, combustion, thermal transport, nanoscale interactions, and multiphase processes, as well as their role in materials processing and manufacturing. It encourages the use of microgravity to isolate and observe complex behaviors that are otherwise masked by Earth’s gravity, including phase change, interfacial behavior, crystal growth, and flame dynamics. The goal is to derive benefits for life on Earth, such as applications in energy storage, electronics, clean water, pharmaceuticals, microfluidics, and manufacturing processes. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and commercial entities with strong research capabilities. All proposers must qualify as "U.S. Persons" under 22 U.S. Code §6010. Each individual may participate in only one proposal per cycle, regardless of role. Before submitting a full proposal, applicants must complete a Feasibility Review Form through CASIS by January 12, 2026. CASIS will assess the operational feasibility and ISS implementation readiness, and only approved applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by the final deadline of March 4, 2026. The grant provides up to $400,000 per project for a duration of up to four years, with a total program funding cap of $3.6 million. While NSF funds the research components, CASIS covers all costs related to transitioning the proposed experiments into space-appropriate formats, including hardware adaptation, crew training, payload transport, and execution aboard the ISS. CASIS may also fund implementation partners for the use of ISS-compatible flight hardware. Proposals requiring major new hardware development are considered out of scope. Proposals must include a clear rationale for ISS usage and demonstrate benefits to life on Earth. Evaluations will consider both NSF’s merit criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts) and additional factors such as ISS applicability, terrestrial impact, proposed partnerships, and readiness for flight within 24 months. All successful applicants must negotiate a non-modifiable user agreement with CASIS. Projects are expected to complete a final report within six months post-flight. The submission process uses Research.gov or Grants.gov. Required documents include the CASIS-approved Feasibility Review Form, a Letter of Collaboration from an implementation partner (if applicable), and detailed budget and operational plans. NSF and CASIS jointly manage the review process, and awardees must adhere to NSF reporting standards and CASIS timelines for flight preparation and execution. For questions on implementation feasibility, applicants are encouraged to consult the CASIS operations team at [email protected].

Clearly articulate why the proposed research requires the ISS microgravity environment and how it benefits life on Earth; proposals focused solely on space applications will be deemed non-responsive.