Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE) Program in NASA Research Announcement (NRA): RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES (ROSES) 2025

This Special Notice announces the Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE) Program, a new solicitation opportunity under the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025 announcement issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The notice was originally posted on December 17, 2025, and has been subject to two amendments, with the most recent amendment issued on February 23, 2026. The STRIDE program solicits proposals from U.S. industry through NASA's Science Mission Directorate, specifically under the Planetary Science Division's Mars Exploration Program. The solicitation employs a one-step proposal submission process via NASA's NSPIRES system, with a final deadline of March 31, 2026. NASA anticipates awarding multiple firm-fixed-price contracts, though it reserves the right to make no awards based on funding availability and proposal merit.

The primary objective of the STRIDE program is to solicit design studies and early-stage prototyping of advanced robotic surface and aerial mobility systems capable of transporting and deploying science payloads on Mars. Eligible proposers must be for-profit U.S. entities of any size, though partnerships with academic institutions, non-profits, and University Affiliated Research Centers are permitted as subcontractors. The program seeks proposals from both established space hardware developers and terrestrial robotics companies that can identify development requirements for commercial robotic systems adaptable from terrestrial and lunar applications to Martian environments. Key requirements include articulating how proposed platforms could enhance science return, addressing capability gaps in Mars exploration robotics, and submitting all required final report inputs specified in the solicitation documents. An optional pre-proposal conference was held on February 4, 2026, and proposers are instructed to monitor the NSPIRES landing page regularly for clarifications, amendments, and frequently asked questions, with updated FAQs posted as of February 18, 2026.