ROSES 2025: C.2 Solar System Science

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) annually releases a broad solicitation titled Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES), which encompasses a wide variety of research areas. Within this umbrella, the ROSES 2025: C.2 Solar System Science program element supports innovative scientific investigations aimed at advancing the understanding of our solar system. As part of NASA’s commitment to expanding human knowledge through space exploration and research, this opportunity invites proposals that explore topics in planetary science, including but not limited to planetary atmospheres, surfaces, interiors, evolution, and small bodies like asteroids and comets. The C.2 Solar System Science program does not impose a fixed proposal due date, allowing submissions on a rolling basis until August 1, 2026. This format is designed to offer researchers flexibility in developing their proposals and responding to recent developments in their fields. The current iteration under ROSES-25 will be succeeded by a ROSES-26 version, with a brief overlap between the two to ensure uninterrupted submission opportunities. While no total program funding or individual award amounts are disclosed, NASA recently amended the solicitation to increase the expected budget and number of awards, suggesting strong support for this research area. Eligible applicants generally must be affiliated with U.S.-based institutions registered with NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System), although proposals from non-U.S. organizations may be accepted under specific non-exchange-of-funds policies or through joint sponsorships. The program is open to a wide range of organizations, including government, academic, and nonprofit institutions. Foreign organizations may participate in limited cases, particularly if the research involves international missions or collaborative efforts. Proposals must conform to NASA's Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), and special guidelines may apply depending on the applicant's country of origin and involvement of U.S. personnel. Application requirements and evaluation processes are outlined in the full text of the ROSES-25 solicitation and the specific program element documentation. Submissions must adhere to updated guidelines, including the provision of anonymized Tables of Work Effort and the use of spacecraft mission data. Depending on the complexity of the proposal, applicants may need to include justifications for substantial equipment requests, and details around data archiving have been clarified. No pre-application stages such as Letters of Intent or concept papers are required, and applications can be submitted directly through NSPIRES. For those interested in submitting via Grants.gov, a request must be made at least 30 days in advance. NASA conducts periodic reviews throughout the year, with an updated review table (C.2-1) providing estimated deadlines for internal evaluation. While awards are primarily issued as grants or cooperative agreements, contracts are generally excluded due to the research-oriented nature of the work. Most awards have a performance period of up to three years, although exceptions for shorter or longer durations may be considered depending on the project’s scope. Detailed submission instructions and proposal evaluation criteria are provided in the downloadable PDF of the call and in the Planetary Science Research Program Overview (C.1). For further clarification or assistance, applicants are encouraged to consult the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) FAQs or reach out directly to the program contacts via the designated email address. These include Katharine Robinson, Curtis Williams, and Rebekah Dawson-Rigas, who can be reached at [email protected]. To stay informed about amendments, new opportunities, and due date reminders, interested parties may subscribe to NASA’s mailing lists, blog feeds, or ROSES-2025 Google calendars.