Federal Grant Award Summary

The Planetary Science Institute received a $302,624 Project Grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under the Science program (CFDA 43.001) to execute a balanced science program aligned with guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, administration priorities, and Congressional direction. The award, effective February 2, 2026, through February 1, 2029, supports PSI's research activities conducted at its Tucson, Arizona facility, where the organization serves as a key partner and enabler for NASA's scientific initiatives. Based on PSI's demonstrated expertise, the funding likely supports fundamental planetary science research activities including theoretical modeling, data analysis, and investigations into planetary systems and solar system bodies.

The award reflects PSI's competitive technical capabilities in executing diverse planetary science research initiatives. As a non-profit research organization with over $12 million in federal grant awards across NASA Science Mission Directorate programs, PSI typically delivers specialized expertise in areas such as mineralogical analysis, geomorphic mapping, spectroscopic analysis, and mission support services. The organization collaborates with major academic institutions including Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Southwest Research Institute, and MIT on sub-grant activities, enabling broader scientific investigations that advance understanding of planetary geology, atmospheres, magnetospheres, and other critical research domains within NASA's strategic objectives.