Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress.…

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has been awarded a $40,000 research grant by a federal civilian agency's Shared Services Center, with a completion date of November 12, 2026. This grant-type contract supports Caltech's execution of a balanced science program aligned with guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as administration priorities and congressional direction. The research initiative emphasizes Caltech's role as a key partner in the agency's exploration initiatives, with a focus on scientific research related to the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, while advancing discovery across interdisciplinary opportunities that bridge traditional scientific disciplines.

The contract also directs Caltech to develop a target-user focused approach to applied programs spanning Earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness. The work will be performed at Caltech's Pasadena, California campus. No set-aside designation was applied to this award, reflecting Caltech's competitive standing as a premier research institution. As a world-class private research university with extensive experience supporting federal agencies including NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense, Caltech brings sophisticated research and development capabilities to this multidisciplinary scientific initiative.

Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress. Participate as a key partner and enabler in the agency s exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research of, on, and from the moon, lunar orbit, mars, and beyond. Advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross-disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines develop a directorate-wide, target-user focused approach to applied programs, including earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.