ROSES 2025: F.3 Exoplanets Research

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through its Science Mission Directorate (SMD), has issued a call for proposals under the ROSES (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences) 2025 solicitation, specifically targeting research within the F.3 Exoplanets Research program element. This funding opportunity, offered under the CFDA number 43.001, falls within the broad spectrum of NASA’s ongoing support for scientific and technological research and development. The SMD released the overarching ROSES-2025 omnibus announcement on February 21, 2025, encompassing numerous individual program elements, each addressing different scientific domains, including Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics. The Exoplanets Research component seeks to support innovative investigations that enhance the understanding of planetary systems beyond our own, contributing to NASA’s broader mission of exploring the origins, evolution, and potential habitability of exoplanets. Under this program, awards are anticipated to be made in the form of grants or cooperative agreements. While contracts are technically possible, most awards under the ROSES framework are issued as grants due to the fundamental nature of the research activities. Research efforts funded through this opportunity will likely span a typical performance period of three years, although durations of up to five years may be permitted depending on the scope of work and program specifics. The Exoplanets Research program is a part of NASA's continued commitment to advancing space science and expanding the frontiers of knowledge concerning distant planetary systems. Eligibility to apply for this opportunity is primarily restricted to U.S.-based institutions, including academic institutions, research organizations, and nonprofit entities. Foreign organizations may participate only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis unless explicitly permitted under specific programmatic guidelines or through collaboration with a U.S.-based team. Proposals from international entities must comply with stipulations set forth in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), particularly when U.S.-based personnel are involved or when support from NASA is requested. All proposers must be registered within the NSPIRES system (nspires.nasaprs.com) to submit applications. The application process for this program is structured in a two-step format. A Step-1 proposal submission is mandatory and must precede the Step-2 application. The initial deadline for Step-1 proposals was postponed multiple times and was finally set for December 3, 2025. Step-2 proposals, which cannot be submitted without an approved Step-1, are due by February 2, 2026, following an amendment announced on January 22, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to review the full text of the program element found in Tables 2 or 3 of the ROSES-2025 portal, accessible via NSPIRES. These tables provide comprehensive guidance on application requirements, program expectations, and evaluation procedures. Evaluation criteria for the Exoplanets Research program, consistent with ROSES guidelines, emphasize the scientific merit of the proposed research, the relevance to NASA's strategic objectives, and the capability and experience of the proposing team. Detailed questions or clarifications related to this funding opportunity should be directed to the designated points of contact listed in the notice: John Wisniewski, Rebekah Dawson-Rigas, Galen Fowler, and Joshua Pepper. All correspondence should be directed to the program’s official inbox at [email protected]. The ROSES program is an annual cycle, and future opportunities in exoplanetary research are expected to continue under similar formats. Proposers are advised to subscribe to the SMD mailing list and the ROSES-2025 blog for updates on amendments, clarifications, and new program elements. Given the evolving nature of space science priorities, recurring participation in ROSES solicitations is a strategic way for researchers to remain engaged with NASA’s funding ecosystem. This particular program element provides a significant opportunity for the scientific community to contribute to the understanding of exoplanetary environments and their potential to harbor life.