Here are some of the latest updates on NASA opportunities for the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) community from NASA’s MSI Engagement Team.

1. Check out Engagement Opportunities in NASA STEM (EONS)! EONS is an omnibus announcement that includes a range of NASA STEM Engagement opportunities for science and technology research and education. Specific opportunities with individual requirements will be added periodically throughout the year as appendices to this solicitation as funds are made available for new awards. Bookmark the EONS Grant Forecasting page to view opportunities throughout the year. Current appendices include:  

• NASA MUREP Curriculum Awards (MCA) is open! NASA MUREP solicits proposals from 2-year and 4-year MSIs for the MUREP Curriculum Awards (MCA). The purpose of the new MCA activity is to strengthen the research capacity of MSIs and enable students’ capacity for research in areas of priority to NASA Mission Directorates, while engaging diverse students in authentic learning experiences through curriculum improvement and development, and culturally relevant and responsive teaching, learning and support. For general inquiries, please contact: MCA@nasaprs.com. 

• Proposals are due on May 1 at 5:00 pm ET  
• Award amount: Maximum of $400k/year for 3 years, with possible 4^th year of funding 
• Visit the MCA website for recordings, FAQs, and to register for the next preproposal webinar scheduled for April 6 at 4:00 pm ET 

2. Find Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2023! ROSES is an omnibus solicitation with many individual program elements, each with its own due date(s) and topic(s). From the NSPIRES website, you can view the list of opportunities in Table 2 (organized by due date) or Table 3 (organized by research) including hyperlinks to element descriptions in the Appendices. You can also view the list of open program elements here. Together, these program elements cover the wide range of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences supported by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Visit the SARA ROSES blog for updates, clarifications and amendments. Here are a few of the many ROSES opportunities that are open and forthcoming:      

• A.39 Early Career Investigator Program in Earth Science 
• B.15 Heliophysics Innovation in Technology and Science 
• C.16 Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples 
• D.2 Astrophysics Data Analysis  
• E.6 Fundamental Physics 
• F.3 Exoplanets Research 

3. Calling MSI teams for the Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation Academic Innovation (M2M X-Hab) Challenge! NASA, in collaboration with the National Space Grant Foundation, is challenging university teams to develop innovative design ideas related to space habitats and deep space exploration missions. Challenge teams take part in real world, hands-on design, research and development opportunities. Select teams will receive $20,000 to $50,000 awards to design and produce studies or functional products that bridge strategic knowledge gaps, increase capabilities and lower technology risks related to NASA’s Moon to Mars space exploration missions. Awardees will follow a tailored systems-engineering process with projects to be completed in the May 2024 time frame. Proposals are due on April 28. Click here for full challenge details.  

4. Interested in developing your first flight mission proposal but have no idea where to start? The 2023 PI Launchpad Workshop will show you how! NASA Science Mission Directorate, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and a team of mission experts have teamed up to make the mission development process more transparent and accessible. The PI Launchpad Workshop will be hosted at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on July 24-27. This workshop will be in-person, with all costs covered for participants, and will cover a range of topics relevant to mission development including networking events. Click here to access the pre-recorded information session. The application in the form of a Notice of Intent is due on April 14 in NSPIRES. 

5. Space Station Research Announcement Open Now through June 19! The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory is soliciting flight projects for in-space production applications focused on advanced materials and manufacturing. Flight investigations should demonstrate space-based manufacturing and production activities that enable new business growth and capital investment, represent scalable and sustainable market opportunities, and produce recurring value with the potential to generate demand for and revenue from access to space. Please visit the website to learn more.