Astrophysics research usually begins with writing a proposal. A proposal is a document that is submitted in response to a specific solicitation. This table shows the most common solicitations relevant to NASA astrophysics. Solicitations are released to the public on a specific date, called the Release Date, which is usually about the same day each year for a given solicitation. Some solicitations require submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI). This is a short document declaring your intention to submit a proposal at a later date. If one is required by the solicitation, the deadline is shown in column NOI. Proposals must be submitted by the deadline, called the Submission Date, or they will generally not be accepted. Proposal writing takes time (e.g., three months or more for a first-time proposer). Use the submission date to plan in advance. Hyperlinks on the proposal name will take you to the solicitation. Before you begin writing a proposal, read the solicitation to determine whether you are an eligible proposer, whether your science interests broadly align with the goals of the solicitation, and what will be required to write the full proposal. Good luck!
| Proposal Dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Opportunity Name | Release | NOI | Submission |
| ROSES | 14 Feb 2025 | — | — |
DescriptionThis is the omnibus NASA science solicitation. It includes multiple astrophysics programs, referred to as individual program elements. It is released each year on February 14. |
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| Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) | 14 Feb 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 | 30 Jan 2025 |
DescriptionThe Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA; ROSES program element D.3) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, and laboratory astrophysics. |
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| Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT) | 14 Feb 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 | 30 Jan 2025 |
DescriptionThe Strategic Astrophysics Technology program (SAT; ROSES program element D.7) supports technology development efforts relevant to future strategic missions (generally NASA flagship or Probe class). |
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| FINESST | — | — | 5 Feb 2025 |
DescriptionFuture Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology. Funding for graduate students in NASA related science. This program element is expected to solicit proposals in FY 2024, but final details and dates are not yet determined. Target Audience: Students |
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| Fermi | 14 Feb 2024 | — | 13 Feb 2025 |
DescriptionThe Fermi General Investigator program (ROSES program element D.6) solicits proposals for science investigations relevant to the Fermi mission. Fermi observes gamma rays from 20 MeV to >300 GeV over the entire celestial sphere, and observes transient gamma-ray sources with energies extending from 8 keV up to 300 GeV. Proposals are being accepted for Cycle 18. |
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| NuSTAR | 14 Feb 2024 | — | 20 Feb 2025 |
DescriptionThe Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) General Observer Program (ROSES program element D.9) solicits proposals for science investigations relevant to the NuSTAR mission. NuSTAR focuses high energy X rays (E > 10 keV), with an effective bandpass of 3–79 keV. Proposals are being accepted for Cycle 11, which begins 1 June 2025. |
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| Hubble Space Telescope (HST) | — | — | ~ Mar 2025 |
DescriptionThe Hubble Space Telescope (HST) program supports observations, archival and theoretical research pertinent to HST. The next observing cycle will be cycle 33. |
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| Chandra | — | — | ~ Mar 2025 |
DescriptionThe Chandra X-Ray Observatory program supports science investigations relevant to astrophysical sources of high energy radiation. The next observing cycle is Cycle 27. |
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| Precursor Science | — | ~ Jan 2025 | ~ Mar 2025 |
DescriptionThe Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science (ROSES program element D.16) supports research in areas of relevance to strategic missions identified as priorties in the National Academies Astrophysics Decadal Survey Report. |
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| Astrophysics Pioneers | 14 Feb 2024 | 24 Jan 2025 | 15 Mar 2025 |
DescriptionThe Astrophysics Pioneers (ROSES program element D.13) space and sub-orbital science investigations program supports small spacecraft such as cubesats and comparable flight projects. |
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| NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) | — | — | ~Mar 2025 |
DescriptionThe NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) supports post-doctoral research at a NASA center. Astrophysics applications are typically reviewed following the November 1 deadline, although NPP applications are accepted for March 1, July 1, November 1 deadlines. Target Audience: Post Docs |
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| Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP) | — | ~ Mar 2025 | ~ May 2025 |
DescriptionAstrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP) supports analysis of archival data that includes NASA assets. Call for proposals is bundled in the ROSES omnibus solicitation as program element D.2. |
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| Roman Fellowship (RTF) | ~ Feb 2025 | — | ~ May 2025 |
DescriptionThe Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowship Program (RTF) supports early career researchers to develop skills related to flight instrument development. Applications are concurrent with an APRA or SAT proposal. Target Audience: Post Docs |
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| TESS | 14 Feb 2024 | — | N/A |
DescriptionThe Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) General Investigator Program supports science investigations relevant to the TESS mission. TESS was designed to monitor the brightness of nearby F,G,K and M stars to search for transiting exoplanets. Cycle 8 observations are expected to begin September 2025. This solicitation is pending results of external review of the program. Due dates will be announced when available. |
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| XRISM | 14 Feb 2025 | — | N/A |
DescriptionThe X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission General Observer program (XRISM; ROSES program element D.17) supports XRISM observations (type 1 proposals) and related supporting atomic physics investigations (type 2 proposals). NOTICE: Amended December 6, 2024. This program element has been deferred to ROSES-2025, to be released February 14, 2025. |
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| Astrophysics Theory Program (ATP) | 14 Feb 2024 | None | None |
DescriptionThe Astrophysics Theory Program (ATP; ROSES program element D.4) supports theoretical investigations or modeling of the astrophysical phenomena targeted by past, current, or future NASA astrophysics space missions. Solicited every other year. Not solicited in 2024. |
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| NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) | — | — | ~Jul 2025 |
DescriptionThe NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) supports post-doctoral research at a NASA center. Astrophysics applications are typically reviewed following the November 1 deadline, although NPP applications are accepted for March 1, July 1, November 1 deadlines. Target Audience: Post Docs |
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| IXPE | 14 Feb 2025 | — | ~ Aug 2025 |
DescriptionThe Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE; ROSES program element D.16) measures the polarization of X-ray sources in the 2–8 keV band. |
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| NICER | 14 Feb 2025 | — | ~ Sep 2025 |
DescriptionThe Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER; ROSES program element D.11) observes X-ray sources in the range 0.2 – 12 keV, especially neutron stars and other rapidly variable sources, with high-resolution timing and spectroscopy. It is onboard the International Space Station. |
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| Swift | 14 Feb 2025 | — | ~ Sep 2025 |
DescriptionThe Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory General Investigator Program (ROSES program element D.5) solicits proposals for basic research relevant to the Swift gamma-ray burst mission. |
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| Euclid | 14 Feb 2025 | ~ Aug 2025 | ~ Oct 2025 |
DescriptionThe Euclid General Investigator program (ROSES program element D.18) solicits science investigations relevant to the Euclid mission. Euclid explores the composition and evolution of the dark energy and dark matter. |
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| NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship (AAPF) | — | — | ~ Oct 2025 |
DescriptionThe National Science Foundation Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship (AAPF) supports early career scientists for independent research for up to three years at any qualifying institution. Target Audience: Post Docs |
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| NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) | — | — | ~Oct 2025 |
DescriptionThe National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend for graduate students. Target Audience: Students |
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| JWST | 14 Feb 2024 | — | ~Oct 2025 |
DescriptionThe James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) General Observer and Archival Research Programs support science investiations with JWST. The next observing cycle will be Cycle 4. The Cycle 4 Telescope Allocation Committee will meet at the end of January/early February 2025, with selections announced in March 2025. |
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| Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) | 3 Sep 2024 | — | ~Oct 2025 |
DescriptionNASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) supports independent postdoctoral research which contributes to NASA Astrophysics, including theory, observation, experimentation, or instrument development. Fellowships may be done at a US institution over a period of up to three years. Target Audience: Post Docs |
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| NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) | — | — | ~Nov 2025 |
DescriptionThe NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) supports post-doctoral research at a NASA center. Astrophysics applications are typically reviewed following the November 1 deadline, although NPP applications are accepted for March 1, July 1, November 1 deadlines. Target Audience: Post Docs |
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| NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Grants (AAG) | — | — | ~Nov 2025 |
DescriptionThe National Science Foundation Astronomy and Astrophysics Grants (AAG) Program supports individual investigator or collaborative research grants for (primarily) ground-based astronomy, theory, or laboratory astrophysics. |
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| NSF Advanced Technology & Instrumentation (ATI) | — | — | ~Nov 2025 |
DescriptionThe National Science Foundation Advanced Technology and Instrumentation (ATI) Program supports research on the development of new technologies and instrumentation for (primarily) ground-based astronomy and astrophysics. |
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| NSF Physics Particle Astrophysics – Experiment |
11 Aug 2024 | — | ~Dec 2025 |
DescriptionParticle Astrophysics – Experiment |
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| NSF Physics Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory |
11 Aug 2024 | — | ~Dec 2025 |
DescriptionParticle Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory |
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NASA Keck
| 9 Aug 2024 |
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12 Sept 2024 |
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DescriptionObservations with the ground-based Keck telescopes. NASA Keck time is administered through NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI). |
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NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF)
| — |
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1 Oct 2024 |
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DescriptionNAS Infrared Telescope Facility is a 3.2 meter telescope on Maunakea. Available instruments are here. |
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