Physics of the Cosmos
Exploring fundamental questions regarding the physical forces of the universe

Physics of the Cosmos
Related Research Opportunities

How to use this table

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.
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship (AAPF) 15 Oct 2024
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
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) 15 Oct 2024
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
JWST 14 Feb 2024 16 Oct 2024
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.
Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) 3 Sep 2024 30 Oct 2024
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
NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) 1 Nov 2024
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
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Grants (AAG) 15 Nov 2024
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.
NSF Advanced Technology & Instrumentation (ATI) 15 Nov 2024
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.
NSF Physics
Particle Astrophysics – Experiment
11 Aug 2024 3 Dec 2024
DescriptionParticle Astrophysics – Experiment
NSF Physics
Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory
11 Aug 2024 10 Dec 2024
DescriptionParticle Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory
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.
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).
FINESST ~ Feb 2024
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
NASA Keck 14 Mar 2024
DescriptionObservations with the ground-based Keck telescopes. NASA Keck time is administered through NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI). 2024B semester is Aug 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025. 2024B call for proposals was released 14 February 2024 for proposals due 14 March 2024.
NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) 1 Apr 2024
DescriptionNAS Infrared Telescope Facility is a 3.2 meter telescope on Maunakea. Available instruments are here. 2024B call for proposals was due 1 April 2024.
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.
XRISM 14 Feb 2024 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). Due dates are not currently availalbe, but will be announced 90 days in advance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
News
18 October 2024
NASA Astrophysics Virtual Town Hall on 23 October 2024
»  Details
ROSES-24: D.19 Habitable Worlds Observatory System Technology Demonstrations and Mission Architecture Studies DRAFT Text Released for Community Comment
»  Details
Call for Hubble Cycle 32 Bridge Programs
»  Details
ROSES-24: D.9 NuSTAR Due Date Moved up to 29 January 2025, and Other Changes
»  Details
ROSES-24: Changes for 2 CFR 200 Update
»  Details