2025 Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO) NOFO

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center through the Space Operations Mission Directorate has released the Fiscal Year 2025 Human Exploration Research Opportunities Notice of Funding Opportunity (HERO NOFO). This funding opportunity, under Assistance Listing 43.007, is designed to support NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP), which directly advances U.S. space policy by mitigating health and performance risks associated with human spaceflight. The HERO NOFO acts as an umbrella announcement with specific research topics and submission deadlines provided in appendices posted on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). The HERO program is valid from November 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025, with anticipated appendices released throughout the year depending on mission needs and available funds. The purpose of the HERO NOFO is to solicit applied research proposals that address HRP’s five key elements: Space Radiation, Human Health Countermeasures, Exploration Medical Capability, Human Factors and Behavioral Performance, and Research Operations and Integration. These elements reflect HRP’s mission to provide knowledge, tools, and technologies enabling safe and effective human space exploration. HRP opportunities are grouped into Omnibus projects, Flagship projects, and NASA Specialized Centers of Research. Omnibus projects generally address any identified risk in the Human Research Roadmap and are shorter in duration, while Flagship and NSCOR opportunities target specific areas of need and may span multiple years and institutions. Funding amounts vary by project type. Omnibus projects are typically awarded for one year with budgets up to $250,000. Flagship projects are larger in scope and typically range from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 over a period of three to five years. It is anticipated that 2–3 Flagship proposals and up to 10 Omnibus proposals may be awarded under this NOFO. Grants are funded in one-year increments with continuation dependent on performance and funding availability. Awards are generally announced about one year following the release of a relevant appendix. Eligibility for HERO NOFO is broad, encompassing all categories of U.S. institutions including universities, private industry, nonprofits, and federal, state, and local laboratories. International participation is allowed under certain conditions; foreign institutions are not eligible for direct NASA funding but may participate through collaborations with U.S. proposers. Proposals involving China or Chinese-owned entities are explicitly ineligible. Applicants with prior HRP funding must be in compliance with reporting, data submission, and closeout requirements to be eligible. While cost sharing is not required, voluntary contributions are permitted under federal regulations. The HERO program requires a two-step application process unless otherwise specified in an appendix. Step 1 is a Notice of Intent or synopsis proposal, and Step 2 is a full proposal by invitation only. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES. Step-1 proposals must be anonymized to support dual-anonymous peer review, while Step-2 proposals must include both an anonymized project document and a non-anonymized expertise and resources statement. Appendices specify proposal content requirements, due dates, formatting, and evaluation criteria. All applications must be submitted by the deadlines indicated in the respective appendices, and late proposals will not be considered except in limited circumstances. Evaluation of proposals follows a rigorous peer review process. Step-1 proposals are reviewed for relevance to HRP goals and potential contribution to identified research gaps. Step-2 proposals undergo dual-anonymous peer review based on scientific significance, mitigation of risks to crew health and performance, methodological approach, and statistical rigor. Successful proposals then undergo a second-tier review for programmatic relevance, feasibility, and cost considerations. Awards are made based on scientific merit, program alignment, and resource availability, with final decisions made by the HRP Program Director or designee. The primary program contact for HERO is Dr. Steven Platts, Chief Scientist of the Human Research Program, reachable at js-hrp-chief-science-office@mail.nasa.gov. For technical assistance with NSPIRES submissions, applicants may contact the NSPIRES Help Desk at nspires-help@nasaprs.com or call (202) 479-9376, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET. Applicants are strongly encouraged to monitor NSPIRES for updated appendices, FAQs, and submission deadlines, as these documents provide the authoritative details for specific opportunities under the HERO NOFO.