9 min read<\/p>\n
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![A graphic showing various airplanes over a sun-drenched New York City skyline. with the words \"Aeronautics Research Opportunities\" overlaid on top.](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/aero-research-opp-072024.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nNASA \/ Lillian Gipson\/Getty Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTHIS PAGE WAS UPDATED ON JUNE 6, 2025<\/strong>
(Updated Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities.<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\nThis Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) solicitations page compiles the opportunities to collaborate with NASA\u2019s aeronautical innovators and\/or contribute to their research to enable new and improved air transportation systems.<\/p>\n
Most opportunities to participate in research are officially announced through the Web-based NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, better known as NSPIRES. You are encouraged to visit the NSPIRES web site<\/a>, create an account, and sign up for automated email announcements. <\/p>\nOther types of collaborative opportunities, such as those involving Requests for Information or academic research contests, also are included on this page.<\/p>\n
This page has four major sections: <\/p>\n
\n- Quick list of open solicitations with key dates<\/a> listed.<\/li>\n
- Current open solicitations<\/a> with more details and helpful links.<\/li>\n
- Closed solicitations<\/a> in case it is helpful to see other examples of the kind of research opportunities NASA Aeronautics makes available.<\/li>\n
- Summary of NASA\u2019s Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA)<\/a> NASA Research Announcement (NRA) selection process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Upcoming Key Dates<\/h2>\n
Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities
<\/strong>Proposals are due by June 11, 2025. (NOTE important update below.)<\/p>\nUniversity Leadership Initiative<\/strong>
Step-A proposals due by June 26, 2025.<\/p>\nUniversity Student Research Challenge<\/strong>
Proposals for Cycle 3 are due by June 26, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nCurrently Open Solicitations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/high-speed-aircraft.png?w=1032\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nArtist concept of a high-speed point-to-point vehicle.<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nROA-2025 NRA Amendment 1 \u2013 OPEN<\/h3>\n
Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n(View the full ROA-2025 NRA Amendment 1 text here.)<\/a><\/p>\nThis announcement solicits proposals from accredited U.S. institutions for research training grants to begin the academic year. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is designed to support independently conceived research projects by highly qualified graduate students in disciplines needed to help advance NASA\u2019s mission, thus affording these students the opportunity to directly contribute to advancements in STEM-related areas of study. These opportunities are focused on innovation and the generation of measurable research results that contribute to NASA\u2019s current and future science and technology goals.<\/p>\n
Research proposals are sought to address the key challenges summarized in the Elements section at the end of the Amendment 1 document<\/a>, and which reference NASA\u2019s Hypersonic Technology<\/a> project. <\/p>\nUPDATE for June 6: Reflecting the Fiscal Year 2026 budget changes, the Transformational Tools & Technologies<\/a> project opportunities originally described in this announcement were cancelled. Proposals citing this project will not be evaluated.<\/strong><\/p>\nNotices of Intent are not required.<\/p>\n
A budget breakdown for each proposal is required, detailing the allocation of the award funds by year. The budget document may adhere to any format or template provided by the applicant\u2019s institution. Two pre-proposal teleconferences for potential proposers will be held and meeting links will be posted on NSPIRES.<\/p>\n
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EDT on June 11, 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uli-2025-graphic.png?w=1800\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nuli-2025-graphic<\/div>\nNASA \/ Lillian Gipson<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nROA-2024 NRA Amendment<\/strong> 2 \u2013 OPEN<\/h3>\nUniversity Leadership Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n(View the full ROA-2024 NRA Amendment 2 text here.)<\/a><\/p>\nNASA\u2019s University Leadership Initiative<\/a> (ULI) provides the opportunity for university teams to exercise technical and organizational leadership in proposing unique technical challenges in aeronautics, defining multi-disciplinary solutions, establishing peer review mechanisms, and applying innovative teaming strategies to strengthen the research impact.<\/p>\nResearch proposals are sought in six ULI topic areas in Appendix D.4.<\/p>\n
Topic 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations <\/p>\n
Topic 2: Innovation in Commercial High-Speed Aircraft<\/p>\n
Topic 3: Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports<\/p>\n
Topic 4: Safe, Quiet, and Affordable Vertical Lift Air Vehicles <\/p>\n
Topic 5: In-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance<\/p>\n
Topic 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation<\/p>\n
This NASA Research Announcement will utilize a two-step proposal submission and evaluation process. The initial step is a short mandatory Step-A proposal, which is due June 26, 2025<\/strong>. Those offerors submitting the most highly rated Step-A proposals will be invited to submit a Step-B proposal. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES at https:\/\/nspires.nasaprs.com<\/a>. An Applicant\u2019s Workshop will be held on Thursday April 30, 2025; 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET (https:\/\/uli.arc.nasa.gov\/applicants-workshops\/workshop9<\/a>) (Page will be live closer to the event.)<\/p>\nAn interested partners list for this ULI is at https:\/\/uli.arc.nasa.gov\/partners<\/a>. To be listed as an interested lead or partner, please send an email to hq-univpartnerships@mail.nasa.gov<\/a> with \u201cULI Partnerships\u201d in the subject line and include the information required for the table on that web page.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"USRC](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/usrc-graphic-sep2023.png?w=985\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nGetty Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nROA-2024 NRA Amendment 4<\/strong> \u2013 OPEN<\/h3>\nUniversity Student Research Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n(View the full ROA-2024 NRA Amendment 4 text here)<\/a><\/p>\nNASA\u2019s University Student Research Challenge<\/a> (USRC) seeks to challenge students to propose new ideas\/concepts that are relevant to NASA Aeronautics.\u00a0 The challenge will provide students from accredited U.S. colleges or universities with grants for their projects, as well as the challenge of raising cost share funds through a crowdfunding campaign.\u00a0The process of creating and implementing a crowdfunding campaign acts as a teaching accelerator \u2014 requiring students to act like entrepreneurs and raise awareness about their research among the public.<\/p>\nThe solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies.<\/p>\n
Notices of Intent are not required for this solicitation.<\/p>\n
Proposals for Cycle 3 are due June 26, 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\nProposals can also be submitted later and evaluated in the second and third cycles.<\/p>\n
The USRC Q&A\/Info Session and Proposal Workshop will be held on the days\/times below. Please join us on TEAMS using the Meeting Link<\/a>, or call in via +1 256-715-9946,,317928116#<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nUSRC Cycle<\/strong><\/td>\nInformation Session\/Q&A Date<\/strong><\/td>\nProposal Due Date<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nCycle 1<\/s><\/td>\nSept. 20, 2024 at 2 pm ET<\/s><\/td>\nNov. 7, 2024<\/s><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nCycle 2<\/s><\/td>\nJan. 27, 2025 at 2 pm ET<\/s><\/td>\nMarch 13, 2025<\/s><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nCycle 3<\/strong><\/td>\nMay 12, 2025 at 2 pm ET<\/strong><\/td>\nJune 26, 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n
![A graphic showing various airplanes over a sun-drenched New York City skyline. with the words \"Aeronautics Research Opportunities\" overlaid on top.](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/aero-research-opp-072024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED ON JUNE 6, 2025<\/strong> This Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) solicitations page compiles the opportunities to collaborate with NASA\u2019s aeronautical innovators and\/or contribute to their research to enable new and improved air transportation systems.<\/p>\n Most opportunities to participate in research are officially announced through the Web-based NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, better known as NSPIRES. You are encouraged to visit the NSPIRES web site<\/a>, create an account, and sign up for automated email announcements. <\/p>\n Other types of collaborative opportunities, such as those involving Requests for Information or academic research contests, also are included on this page.<\/p>\n This page has four major sections: <\/p>\n Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities University Leadership Initiative<\/strong> University Student Research Challenge<\/strong> Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n (View the full ROA-2025 NRA Amendment 1 text here.)<\/a><\/p>\n This announcement solicits proposals from accredited U.S. institutions for research training grants to begin the academic year. This Notice of Funding Opportunity is designed to support independently conceived research projects by highly qualified graduate students in disciplines needed to help advance NASA\u2019s mission, thus affording these students the opportunity to directly contribute to advancements in STEM-related areas of study. These opportunities are focused on innovation and the generation of measurable research results that contribute to NASA\u2019s current and future science and technology goals.<\/p>\n Research proposals are sought to address the key challenges summarized in the Elements section at the end of the Amendment 1 document<\/a>, and which reference NASA\u2019s Hypersonic Technology<\/a> project. <\/p>\n UPDATE for June 6: Reflecting the Fiscal Year 2026 budget changes, the Transformational Tools & Technologies<\/a> project opportunities originally described in this announcement were cancelled. Proposals citing this project will not be evaluated.<\/strong><\/p>\n Notices of Intent are not required.<\/p>\n A budget breakdown for each proposal is required, detailing the allocation of the award funds by year. The budget document may adhere to any format or template provided by the applicant\u2019s institution. Two pre-proposal teleconferences for potential proposers will be held and meeting links will be posted on NSPIRES.<\/p>\n Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EDT on June 11, 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n University Leadership Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n (View the full ROA-2024 NRA Amendment 2 text here.)<\/a><\/p>\n NASA\u2019s University Leadership Initiative<\/a> (ULI) provides the opportunity for university teams to exercise technical and organizational leadership in proposing unique technical challenges in aeronautics, defining multi-disciplinary solutions, establishing peer review mechanisms, and applying innovative teaming strategies to strengthen the research impact.<\/p>\n Research proposals are sought in six ULI topic areas in Appendix D.4.<\/p>\n Topic 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations <\/p>\n Topic 2: Innovation in Commercial High-Speed Aircraft<\/p>\n Topic 3: Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports<\/p>\n Topic 4: Safe, Quiet, and Affordable Vertical Lift Air Vehicles <\/p>\n Topic 5: In-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance<\/p>\n Topic 6: Assured Autonomy for Aviation Transformation<\/p>\n This NASA Research Announcement will utilize a two-step proposal submission and evaluation process. The initial step is a short mandatory Step-A proposal, which is due June 26, 2025<\/strong>. Those offerors submitting the most highly rated Step-A proposals will be invited to submit a Step-B proposal. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES at https:\/\/nspires.nasaprs.com<\/a>. An Applicant\u2019s Workshop will be held on Thursday April 30, 2025; 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET (https:\/\/uli.arc.nasa.gov\/applicants-workshops\/workshop9<\/a>) (Page will be live closer to the event.)<\/p>\n An interested partners list for this ULI is at https:\/\/uli.arc.nasa.gov\/partners<\/a>. To be listed as an interested lead or partner, please send an email to hq-univpartnerships@mail.nasa.gov<\/a> with \u201cULI Partnerships\u201d in the subject line and include the information required for the table on that web page.<\/p>\n University Student Research Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n (View the full ROA-2024 NRA Amendment 4 text here)<\/a><\/p>\n NASA\u2019s University Student Research Challenge<\/a> (USRC) seeks to challenge students to propose new ideas\/concepts that are relevant to NASA Aeronautics.\u00a0 The challenge will provide students from accredited U.S. colleges or universities with grants for their projects, as well as the challenge of raising cost share funds through a crowdfunding campaign.\u00a0The process of creating and implementing a crowdfunding campaign acts as a teaching accelerator \u2014 requiring students to act like entrepreneurs and raise awareness about their research among the public.<\/p>\n The solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies.<\/p>\n Notices of Intent are not required for this solicitation.<\/p>\n Proposals for Cycle 3 are due June 26, 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Proposals can also be submitted later and evaluated in the second and third cycles.<\/p>\n The USRC Q&A\/Info Session and Proposal Workshop will be held on the days\/times below. Please join us on TEAMS using the Meeting Link<\/a>, or call in via +1 256-715-9946,,317928116#<\/a>.<\/p>\n
(Updated Advanced Air Vehicles Program Fellowship Opportunities.<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n
Upcoming Key Dates<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Proposals are due by June 11, 2025. (NOTE important update below.)<\/p>\n
Step-A proposals due by June 26, 2025.<\/p>\n
Proposals for Cycle 3 are due by June 26, 2025.<\/p>\nCurrently Open Solicitations<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>ROA-2025 NRA Amendment 1 \u2013 OPEN<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>ROA-2024 NRA Amendment<\/strong> 2 \u2013 OPEN<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>ROA-2024 NRA Amendment 4<\/strong> \u2013 OPEN<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n USRC Cycle<\/strong><\/td>\n Information Session\/Q&A Date<\/strong><\/td>\n Proposal Due Date<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cycle 1<\/s><\/td>\nSept. 20, 2024 at 2 pm ET<\/s><\/td>\nNov. 7, 2024<\/s><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Cycle 2<\/s><\/td>\nJan. 27, 2025 at 2 pm ET<\/s><\/td>\nMarch 13, 2025<\/s><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Cycle 3<\/strong><\/td>\n May 12, 2025 at 2 pm ET<\/strong><\/td>\n June 26, 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n