2026 Astrophysics Small Explorer (APSMEX)
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- NNH26ZDA011O
- Agency
-
Headquarters
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Headquarters seeks Principal Investigator-led space science investigation proposals for the 2026 Astrophysics Small Explorer (APSMEX) program, with proposals due September 9, 2026. A mandatory Notice of Intent is due July 21, 2026. NASA intends to select one investigation to proceed into combined Phase A&B development. The procurement uses no set-aside.
The solicitation addresses three science goals: understanding the origin and destiny of the universe including black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and gravity; exploring the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets; and discovering and studying exoplanets that could harbor life. Prospective investigators from educational, industrial, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, and other government agencies are eligible. Both U.S. and non-U.S. participation are permitted, subject to China restrictions outlined in Sections 4.2.2 and 5.8.1 of the full announcement.
A virtual preproposal conference is scheduled for June 30, 2026. This is a single-step competitive evaluation process. Amendment #1, released August 6, 2026, reflects revised final text; the proposal due date remains unchanged. All submission costs are the proposer's responsibility. Questions must be directed via email to Daniel Moses (Lead Program Scientist), Hannah Jang-Condell (Deputy Program Scientist), or Omar Torres (Lead Acquisition Manager), using the subject line "APSMEX26." The complete announcement of opportunity is available on NSPIRES at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/ under solicitation number NNH26ZDA011O. The NAICS code is 54171 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences); PSC is AR11 (Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research And Supporting Activities; Basic Research).
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Amendment #1: This SAM.gov update 1) announces the release of revised final text for the “Astrophysics Explorers Program 2026 Small Explorer (SMEX)” AO and 2) adds a copy of the text of an August 2026 NSPIRES e-mail sent to SMD List Serv subscribers. Please open and carefully review the attachment named “6AugustEmail.pdf” under the Attachments/Links section of this notice. The proposal due date remains unchanged. For complete details, visit the link named “Final Ful Text NNH26ZDA011O” under the Attachments/Links section of this notice. End of Amendment #1.
On or after this SAM.gov notice, the final text for the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) 2026 Astrophysics Small Explorer (APSMEX) will be available for download from the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) at https://nspires.nasaprs.com. Click on the word “Solicitations” at the top of the NSPIRES landing page and then on the next page enter the number “NNH26ZDA011O” in the search box or use the direct URL provided below.
This “Description” is not a complete or verbatim summary of the AO. It is the responsibility interested parties to visit and monitor regularly the two listed internet sites (links) for any amendments or other updates.
Please also open and carefully read the attached PDF file named “9JuneEmail.pdf”. The 9JuneEmail attachment is copy of the text that NSPIRES sent to Science Mission Directorate (SMD) List Serv subscribers and includes other and earlier, important dates such as for the submission of a MANDATORY Notice of Intent (NOI) and a virtual Preproposal conference that are prior to the listed Date Offers Due.
After reading the full AO on NSPIRES, please address any comments and questions only via email to both the primary and alternative points of contact listed and use " APSMEX26” in the subject line.
Update #1 ·
On or after this SAM.gov notice, the final text for the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) 2026 Astrophysics Small Explorer (APSMEX) will be available for download from the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) at https://nspires.nasaprs.com. Click on the word “Solicitations” at the top of the NSPIRES landing page and then on the next page enter the number “NNH26ZDA011O” in the search box or use the direct URL provided below.
This “Description” is not a complete or verbatim summary of the AO. It is the responsibility interested parties to visit and monitor regularly the two listed internet sites (links) for any amendments or other updates.
Please also open and carefully read the attached PDF file named “9JuneEmail.pdf”. The 9JuneEmail attachment is copy of the text that NSPIRES sent to Science Mission Directorate (SMD) List Serv subscribers and includes other and earlier, important dates such as for the submission of a MANDATORY Notice of Intent (NOI) and a virtual Preproposal conference that are prior to the listed Date Offers Due.
After reading the full AO on NSPIRES, please address any comments and questions only via email to both the primary and alternative points of contact listed and use " APSMEX26” in the subject line.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 6AugustEmail.pdf | ||
| 9JuneEmail.pdf |
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