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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center awarded the Planetary Science Institute $440,995 on August 15, 2026, under the Science program (CFDA 43.001), a project grant supporting planetary science research aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate strategic priorities.

The award funds research execution across planetary science disciplines, including planetary geology, crater morphometry, lunar features analysis, Martian surface processes, magnetospheric dynamics, and spacecraft mission data interpretation. The Planetary Science Institute, a nonprofit research organization headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, serves as the prime recipient and ultimate awardee on the grant.

The period of performance runs from August 15, 2026, through August 14, 2029. Work is performed in Tucson, Arizona. The Science program pursues NASA's scientific discovery objectives through competitively solicited research in planetary science, which includes determining the content and origin of the solar system and assessing the potential for life beyond Earth. Evaluation criteria include intrinsic scientific merit, technical quality, personnel qualifications and capabilities, and relevance to NASA's strategic mission objectives.

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