ROSES 2025: C.10 Lunar Mapping Program

The Lunar Mapping Program ROSES-2025 is administered by NASA through its Exploration Science Strategy Integration Office within the Science Mission Directorate. This program is designed to support the production of high-quality, internally consistent geologic maps of the lunar surface by engaging individual researchers in coordinated team-based mapping campaigns. The initiative reflects NASA’s commitment to expanding lunar geologic mapping efforts to support exploration, science, and operational planning for human and robotic missions. The work is intended not only to advance scientific understanding but also to ensure that results are accessible and useful to a broad community of stakeholders. The scope of the program emphasizes the creation of geologic maps that are regionally consistent and methodologically aligned across team members. Mapping campaigns focus on specific regions of the Moon and are carried out collaboratively to identify unique geologic characteristics, ensure continuity of results across boundaries, and explore innovative mapping methods. Outcomes are expected to provide essential context for lunar exploration, such as site selection and mission planning, as well as enhance scientific investigations. Participants are required to collaborate in developing a Rules of the Road document that defines how data and products will be shared and made discoverable to ensure long-term accessibility. Eligibility is open to researchers at U.S. and international institutions, including advanced graduate students. Graduate students may apply as Science Principal Investigators with their advisor serving as PI. International applicants are permitted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis and must include a letter of financial support from their home institution. Proposals from teams, except for graduate student/advisor or PI/Science PI pairings, are not eligible. Non-U.S. proposers who are not in NASA’s NSPIRES system may submit through the NASA Foreign PI Support Organization. Awards are structured to cover one year of activity and allow for up to 250 hours of personnel effort. Funded activities include pre-mapping planning, adapting existing maps, creating new content, and synthesizing results for NASA’s lunar exploration objectives. Each awardee is expected to spend one week at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona to finalize maps through direct collaboration with the broader team. Activities include geologic unit identification, preparation of map content, team meetings, production, and lessons learned reporting. USGS personnel will coordinate team activities to ensure alignment with program objectives. Proposals must adhere to strict submission requirements. The Science/Technical/Management section is limited to three pages, with additional required components including a biographical sketch, current and pending support documentation, and detailed budgets that account for required travel to Flagstaff. Foreign participants must include endorsements from their home governments or institutions confirming their ability to dedicate time to the project. All geologic maps and related outputs will be made publicly available through the USGS ScienceBase archive. While no Open Science and Data Management Plan is required, standard obligations for data and publication release still apply. Evaluation will be conducted by a peer-review panel without dual-anonymous peer review. Proposals will be judged primarily on relevant geologic mapping expertise (50%), ability to work effectively in diverse teams (30%), and quality of ideas for disseminating results and lessons learned (20%). Approximately 8 to 10 awards are expected, with a total program budget of around $400,000 in the first year. Awards will be announced about six months after the proposal due date, and each award will last for one year. NASA anticipates continuing the program in ROSES-2026 at comparable funding levels. Submission must be made electronically through NSPIRES, and assistance is available via the NSPIRES help desk. The program point of contact is Sarah Noble and Amanda Nahm, reachable at HQ-LMAP@mail.nasa.gov.

Strict adherence to format rules required; proposals judged 50% expertise, 30% teamwork, 20% dissemination