Researchers and institutions interested in securing NASA funding should prepare now as the agency has confirmed that the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES-26) solicitation is expected to launch in July 2026.
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced that while ROSES-25 remains open through August 2026, preparations are underway for the release of ROSES-26, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious competitive research funding programmes supporting space science and Earth science investigations.
The annual ROSES programme provides grants for scientists, engineers, universities, research institutions, government agencies, and international collaborators working on cutting-edge research that advances NASA’s scientific missions.
What is NASA ROSES?
The Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) programme is NASA’s flagship research funding solicitation. Every year it supports hundreds of research projects across multiple scientific disciplines.
Funding is available for research related to:
- Earth Science
- Planetary Science
- Astrophysics
- Heliophysics
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Space Technology
- Data Science and Computational Research
- Climate and Environmental Studies
- Solar System Exploration
- Space Mission Support Research
The programme enables researchers to conduct innovative scientific investigations while contributing to NASA’s future exploration goals.
ROSES-26 Expected Release
NASA expects ROSES-26 to be released in July 2026.
Until then, researchers can continue applying to eligible opportunities under ROSES-25, which remains open until August 2026, depending on the specific programme element.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor NASA’s updates because individual research opportunities have different deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Who Can Apply?
NASA welcomes proposals from a wide range of organizations, including:
- Universities
- Research institutes
- Government laboratories
- Non-profit organizations
- Commercial companies
- International institutions (subject to specific programme rules)
Eligibility varies depending on the individual funding opportunity, so applicants should carefully review each solicitation before preparing proposals.
Research Areas Supported
NASA invests in research that expands scientific understanding of Earth, space, and the universe.
Projects may include:
- Satellite observations
- Earth systems modelling
- Climate science
- Planetary exploration
- Space physics
- Astronomy
- Astrobiology
- Space instrumentation
- Artificial intelligence applications in space science
- Advanced scientific data analysis
Why Researchers Should Consider NASA Funding
NASA research grants are internationally recognised and provide investigators with opportunities to:
- Conduct world-class scientific research
- Collaborate with leading international researchers
- Access NASA scientific resources
- Support graduate students and research teams
- Advance innovative technologies
- Contribute to future space missions
For many institutions, securing NASA funding significantly strengthens research capacity and international collaboration.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Prepare Before ROSES-26 Opens
Researchers can improve their competitiveness by:
- Reviewing previous ROSES solicitations.
- Identifying the most relevant programme element for their research.
- Developing collaborations early.
- Preparing budgets and supporting documentation.
- Monitoring NASA announcements for updates and amendments.
Starting preparations before the official release can make the proposal process much smoother.
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has announced that while ROSES-25 remains open through August 2026, preparations are underway for the release of ROSES-26, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious competitive research funding programmes supporting space science and Earth science investigations.
The annual ROSES programme provides grants for scientists, engineers, universities, research institutions, government agencies, and international collaborators working on cutting-edge research that advances NASA’s scientific missions.
Final Thoughts
NASA’s upcoming ROSES-26 programme presents an outstanding opportunity for researchers seeking funding in space science, Earth science, planetary exploration, astrophysics, and related fields.
With the official solicitation expected in July 2026, now is an ideal time for universities, research institutions, and scientific teams to begin preparing competitive proposals.
As one of the world’s leading research funding programmes, NASA’s ROSES initiative continues to support groundbreaking discoveries that shape our understanding of Earth, the Solar System, and the universe.
Application Status: Expected to Open in July 2026
Funding Organisation: NASA Science Mission Directorate
Programme: Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES-26)
Expected Release: July 2026
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