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NASA is soliciting research proposals that fall within the 2025 topic areas that represent a subset of pertinent mission areas for NASA.
In Phase 1, Principal Investigator (PI) submits a proposal to one of the topic areas by June 9, 2025.
In Phase 2, NASA facilitates communication and meetings between Phase 1 prize recipients, Mission Directorate representatives, and subject matter experts. Selected PIs and their partners (if applicable) will have the opportunity to participate in a kickoff meeting, a two-day in-person workshop, engage monthly with NASA researchers, identify opportunities with NASA, and network with other PIs. These sessions are expected to occur between August and December 2025.
It is highly encouraged that prize recipients participate in Phase 2 meetings to exchange information and receive the full benefits of this program.
NASA connects the public to the agency’s missions and explores creative possibilities for addressing the agency’s needs through prizes, challenges, and crowdsourcing opportunities. NASA MPLAN prize provide resources to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to further develop ideas, facilitate research and development, and engage stakeholders. Successful proposals result in prizes with a maximum amount of $50,000.
NASA intends for prize recipients to utilize their MPLAN prize funds for various purposes such as staff support, student experiences, professional development, travel, meetings, focus groups, research, evaluation, consultants, specialized resources, technical expertise, and support needed to develop and implement proposed strategies and approaches.
NASA MPLAN will provide support in Phase 2 through December 31, 2025. These prizes are not grants or cooperative agreements, and time extensions are not applicable.
Prizes are anticipated to be dispersed to MSIs within 45 days of the winner announcement, pending the on-time submission of the documents by the MSI.
MSIs may propose to any of the topics found here.
Principal Investigators are primarily responsible for implementing, operating, and managing the project as described in their original proposal. While not required, appointing a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) is optional (In the event the primary PI leaves the institution, providing a co-PI allows the funding to remain with the project within the institution). If a co-PI is designated, provide their name, role, and email address in the submission form. The PI should consider taking on some or all of the following tasks:
Note: While a co-PI is optional, designating one can ensure project continuity if the primary PI departs the institution.
Each proposal must include a completed submission form and budget.
Do not include proprietary information within proposals. Proposals should include information that can be made publicly available without compromising any intellectual property or proprietary rights.
Proposals should be written at a conceptual big picture level, focusing on the overall goals and objectives of the prize as detailed in the submission form:
1. MSI Information:
2. Team Members and Partners
There is no limit to your number of team members/partners, however, beyond the Principal Investigator, you may provide information for only up to 5 additional team members/partners.
NASA Civil Servants shall not collaborate with applicants nor assist in writing their proposals. This is a conflict of interest, and strictly prohibited.
Team members and partners are optional,
3. The Proposal:
Budget
Submit a budget using the budget template (view a sample budget here). Budget details are provided to allow for assessment of the type of skills/expertise engaged in this effort and the number of hours committed.
Requirements:
Recommendations:
NASA selects proposals that offer the most advantageous research and development (R&D), deliver technological innovation that contributes to NASA’s missions, provides societal benefit, and grows the U.S. economy. In evaluating proposals, NASA prioritizes the scientific and technical merit of the proposal, as well as its feasibility and potential benefit to NASA's interests (as described in the judging criteria below).
Each proposal is evaluated and scored on its own merit using the evaluation factors described below:
Section | Description | Overall Weight |
Scientific/Technical Merit | Evaluation of proposed R&D effort on innovative and feasible technical approach to NASA problem area. Demonstration of relevance to one or more NASA missions and/or programmatic needs. Clear presentation of specific objectives, approaches, and plans for developing and verifying innovation. Demonstration of clear understanding of the problem and current state of the art. Assessment of understanding and significance of risks involved in the proposed innovation. | 50% |
Experience, Qualifications, and Facilities | Evaluation of technical capabilities and experience of Principal Investigator (PI), project manager, key personnel, staff, consultants, and subcontractors. Assessment of consistency between research effort and level of support from involved parties. Demonstration of adequate instrumentation or facilities required for the project. Detailed consideration of any reliance on external sources, such as Government-furnished equipment or facilities. | 25% |
Feasibility & Reasonableness | Evaluation of whether the proposed plan, schedule, and budget is appropriate for the project/activity | 25% |