#USA #ISS National Lab #NSF #Kennedy Space Center #space research

Funding Opportunity for Space Research

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced a significant funding opportunity aimed at advancing physical science research aboard the ISS. In total, up to $3.6 million is available to support various research projects focusing on transport phenomena, fluid dynamics, and other critical areas that thrive in a microgravity environment.

This initiative celebrates a decade of collaboration between the NSF and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the steward of the ISS National Lab. Since their partnership's inception in 2015, more than $40 million has been allocated to innovative research that utilizes the unique facilities and capabilities of the ISS. To date, 45 investigations have successfully been launched into space, leading to over 200 published peer-reviewed articles that enrich the scientific community’s understanding of various phenomena.

Objectives and Areas of Focus

The current funding opportunity invites proposals that explore several dynamic areas such as:

• - Fluid dynamics
• - Particulate and multiphase processes
• - Thermal transport systems
• - Combustion and fire systems
• - Nanoscale interactions
• - Advanced manufacturing methods pertaining to these processes

The goal is to harness the ISS's unique microgravity conditions to expand opportunities in fundamental and translational research that could benefit humanity.

Advantages of Microgravity Research

The microgravity environment of the ISS significantly alters the behavior of fluids and materials. Gravity's reduced effect can lead to groundbreaking discoveries in various scientific fields, making the ISS an unparalleled laboratory for experiments that are not possible on Earth. Research in this domain can lead to improvements in numerous applications, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, agricultural processes, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

Submission Guidelines

For those interested in pursuing this funding, the first step involves submitting an ISS National Lab Feasibility Review Form to CASIS. This review is crucial to evaluate the operational feasibility of the proposed project. To meet the deadlines:

• - The Feasibility Review Form must be submitted by January 12, 2026.
• - Only those concepts passing this preliminary assessment will be invited to submit a full proposal, which is due by March 4, 2026.

Previous Project Highlights

In addition to the current solicitation, CASIS and NSF have selected six new research projects from prior joint solicitations that delve into areas of transport phenomena and tissue engineering. Notable projects include:

• - Flow of Granular Materials by researchers at North Carolina State University and UC Berkeley, aimed at enhancing agricultural, pharmaceutical, and 3D printing processes.
• - Studies on protein solution flow by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to refine pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• - Acoustic wave applications by the University of Arizona team to mitigate electronic failures by promoting gas expulsion from solder joints, a vital advancement across various industries.

In the field of tissue engineering, notable studies include:

• - Cell Behavior Under Force: Understanding cellular responses to forces to aid cancer diagnostics, led by Emory University.
• - Regeneration Techniques: Efforts to develop injectable nanomaterials at the University of Connecticut aimed at healing cartilage damaged by osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

The funding opportunity presented by the NSF and the ISS National Lab is an exciting development for researchers eager to push the boundaries of science in the unique environment of space. As proposals are prepared, researchers are encouraged to consider the transformative potential of their work and how these insights could lead to important innovations.

For further details about submitting proposals and for compliance with the ISS National Lab's requirements, please refer to their official website and NSF's solicitation pages.