The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center awarded the Smithsonian Institution, doing business as Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, $745,230 on June 2, 2026, under the Science program (CFDA 43.001) to execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine in alignment with administration priorities and congressional direction, with participation as a key partner and enabler in the agency's mission.
The award funds work performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a period of performance through June 1, 2029. The Science Mission Directorate pursues NASA's strategic objective to expand human knowledge through scientific discoveries across astrophysics research, biological and physical sciences research, Earth science research and applied sciences, heliophysics research, planetary science research, and multi- or cross-division research activities including citizen science and graduate student engagement.