Federal Project Grant Summary

The Smithsonian Institution, through its Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) division in Cambridge, Massachusetts, received a $109,613 Project Grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science program (CFDA 43.001) awarded on May 6, 2026, with a completion date of May 5, 2027. Under this award, SAO will execute a balanced science program aligned with discipline-specific guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, administration priorities, and congressional direction, serving as a key partner and enabler for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The organization will contribute its substantial expertise in astrophysics, solar physics, planetary science, heliophysics, and earth science to advance NASA's strategic objective of expanding human knowledge through new scientific discoveries.

As a premier research institution with demonstrated capabilities in sophisticated scientific research, advanced instrumentation development, and technical support, SAO will deliver research activities, data analysis, and scientific findings consistent with NASA's competitive science solicitation framework. The award supports research investigations utilizing NASA's space observatories and missions, with deliverables including theoretical modeling, experimental analysis, and publication of results in peer-reviewed venues. SAO's participation leverages its extensive track record of managing complex federal research initiatives and collaborating with academic institutions across multiple scientific disciplines to advance cutting-edge scientific discovery.