ROSES 2025: C.2 Solar System Science

The Solar System Science program, under NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 initiative, is a new omnibus call for proposals that consolidates previously individual research elements. It supports a wide range of scientific investigations concerning the Solar System’s content, origin, and evolution, as well as the search for life and its future in the universe. The program reflects NASA's commitment to hypothesis-driven science and welcomes proposals addressing emerging fields, systems science, and interdisciplinary approaches. This program is governed by the priorities laid out in NASA’s Planetary Science Division (PSD) strategy and the Origins, Worlds, and Life Decadal Survey for 2023–2032. This program welcomes proposals in a broad range of subject areas including new laboratory instrumentation for astromaterials, analysis of planetary data, creation of higher-order data products and geologic maps, as well as the development of software tools that enable or enhance planetary science. Proposals must explicitly align with one or more of PSD’s specific priorities, such as Lunar Science, Mars Science, Astrobiology, or Planetary Protection. These priorities are defined in documents such as the Artemis III Science Definition Team report, Mars Science Goals Document, the 2015 and 2018 Astrobiology Strategies, and reports from NASA’s Office of Planetary Protection. Proposals that do not align with PSD priorities, or that fall under the scope of other ROSES-2025 programs like the Lunar Mapping Program, MatISSE, DALI, or PICASSO, are explicitly excluded. Also excluded are proposals for new flight instruments, field work in Antarctica, mission operations, digitizing historical data not in public archives, and conferences or workshops. Proposals are categorized into small (<$150K/year), medium ($150K–$250K/year), and large (>$250K/year) budgets, with durations of up to four years. Pilot studies for one to two years are encouraged. The total expected budget for new awards in the first year is approximately $10 million, with an estimated 40 to 55 new awards. The application process is based on a dual-anonymous peer review (DAPR) structure. Initial submission includes an anonymized five-page Science/Technical/Management (S/T/M) section, a Table of Work Effort, and references. These are evaluated for scientific merit, technical feasibility, and alignment with PSD priorities. Selectable proposals will be invited to submit a full budget and an Expertise and Resources (E&R) document, including biographical sketches, data management plans, and other supporting materials. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through March 31, 2026, but proposals are reviewed on a periodic schedule. For the 2025–2026 cycle, reviews will be conducted after three key cut-off dates: September 15, 2025 (for Winter 2025 review), December 31, 2025 (for Spring 2026 review), and March 31, 2026 (for Summer 2026 review). Anticipated start dates for selected projects are April, July, and October 2026, respectively. Electronic submission is mandatory through NSPIRES, though proposals may be submitted through Grants.gov upon request. Program points of contact include Katharine Robinson, Curtis Williams, and Rebekah Dawson-Rigas, who can be reached at hq-scubed@mail.nasa.gov. Applicants are urged to read both this program element and the overarching Planetary Science Research Program Overview (C.1) to ensure full compliance.

Follow dual-anonymous review guidelines carefully. Use numerical references only. Ensure formatting compliance or risk return without review.