Mission Support

Active

Assistance listing
43.009
Agency
Grant awards
718 $332,404,265 in federal obligations

Program facts

Also known as
Safety, Security and Mission Services (Mission Support Directorate)
Assistance types
  • Project Grant
  • Cooperative Agreement
Treasury account
  • 80-0122-0-1-252
More information

Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.

About this program

NASA's Mission Support program (CFDA 43.009) has awarded 718 grants totaling $332.4 million federal dollars since 2007, with the most recent award on November 17, 2025, and continues to receive active funding through competitive solicitation. The program funds basic research, educational outreach, and training across NASA's mission areas—science, aeronautics, space technology, exploration, and space operations—with recent awards supporting earth observation sensors, advanced materials research, in-space manufacturing, STEM workforce development, and lunar surface sustainability research.

Award activity has accelerated in recent years, averaging 24 awards annually over the past five years, with 41 grants issued in 2024 and 9 awards thus far in 2025. The portfolio is dominated by Project Grants, which represent 69 percent of awards, with Cooperative Agreements accounting for the remaining 31 percent. Funding flows through multiple NASA entities, with the NASA Shared Services Center managing 376 awards ($220.6 million, 66 percent of federal dollars), followed by NASA Headquarters with 320 awards ($106.1 million, 32 percent), and smaller contributions from NASA Ames Research Center ($4.5 million), Marshall Space Flight Center ($954 thousand), and Goddard Space Center ($307 thousand).

Award sizes range widely. Recent examples include a $650 thousand grant to educate the NASA STEM workforce pipeline, a $963 thousand award for the Rice University–Houston ISD planetary and space exploration education project, and smaller targeted awards such as $508,641 for cross-track infrared sounder and visible infrared imaging radiometer suite sensor support at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and $95 thousand for the VASTS program's innovative educational content and delivery methods. Larger recent awards include $1.5 million for a circular in-space manufacturing ecosystem and $2.9 million for the Famine Early Warning Systems Network agroclimatological activities.

A current opportunity is open under ROSES 2025 (NNH25ZDA001N-EPALS) for Economic, Social, and Policy Analyses of Lunar Surface Sustainability, due May 29, 2025, accepting Cooperative Agreements and Grants from eligible organizations. Selection timelines typically extend 150 to 220 days after proposal due date, pending federal budget approvals. All applicants must register in NSPIRES, and institutions of higher education, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and foreign organizations under specified conditions are eligible; JPL is excluded as NASA's sole FFRDC.

Objective and description

Objective

Provides effective and efficient institutional support to enable successful accomplishment of NASA mission objectives by integrating resources, infrastructure, processes, and advocates for institutional capabilities and needs for NASA, and optimizing

Description

The Mission Support Directorate Assistance listing supports NASA Mission Directorates in the areas of Basic Research, Educational Outreach, and Training Opportunities. Grants are issued to conduct and support of science, aeronautics, space technology, exploration, space operations and education research and development activities.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

Categories of organizations that may be eligible for NASA grants and cooperative agreements include: • Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) - A two- or four-year university or college (including U.S. community colleges), public or private, accredited to confer degrees beyond that of the K-12 grade levels. 29 • Educational Institutions - Non-highereducation entities, such as K-12 education groups or institutions of informal education, are classified as Educational Institutions.2 • Non-profit Organization - An organization that: o Is operated primarily for scientific, engineering, educational, research, or similar purposes in the public interest; o Is not organized primarily for profit; o Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the organization's operations; and o Is not an IHE. Non-profit organizations generally exclude (i) colleges and universities; (ii) hospitals; and (iii) state, local, and Federally recognized Indian tribal governments. • For-profit Entity - An organization of any size that is organized primarily for profit. • Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) - FFRDCs are under a broad charter by a Government agency for performing, analyzing, or conducting research for the United States Government. NASA sponsors JPL as the Agency's sole FFRDC, and JPL is not an eligible applicant to receive a NASA-funded grant or cooperative agreement as a recipient or subrecipient3 . However, FFRDCs sponsored by agencies other than NASA may be eligible to receive a NASA-funded award as a recipient or subrecipient. • Non-U.S. Organizations - Organizations outside the U.S. that meet the definitions of foreign organization or foreign public entity in 2 CFR § 200.1. Non-U.S. organizations generally propose for opportunities on a no-exchange-of-funds basis in accordance with NASA policy. NOFOs may be issued jointly with a non-U.S. organization (e.g., those concerning guest observing programs for jointly sponsored space science programs) that will contain additional special guidelines for non-U.S. participants. • State, Local, or Federally-Recognized Tribal Government Agency - o State Government means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of tthe United States, and any agency or instrumentality of a State exclusive of its local governments

Uses of assistance

Grant funding may be used to support basic research, educational outreach, and training opportunities related to space operations Applicants should carefully review the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed information on allowable activities, program priorities, eligibility requirements, funding restrictions, and any limitations or conditions that may apply to the use of funds.

Use restrictions

Restrictions on the use of assistance for this listing are governed by the limitations and conditions set forth in NASA's Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM). The GCAM includes a dedicated section on limitations and restrictions, which outlines the circumstances under which funds may not be used. Applicants and recipients should refer to the applicable GCAM limitations provisions, in conjunction with the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), to understand any restrictions that apply. Only restrictions that are unique to this Assistance Listing or organization are identified here; all other standard limitations apply as described in the GCAM.

Length and time phasing of assistance

Generally, up to three years but no more than five years. Review funding opportunity announcement for additional information.

How to apply

Preapplication coordination

Applicants must follow the proposal submission instructions outlined in the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Specific submission requirements-including whether a Notice of Intent (NOI) and/or Phase I proposals are required-are defined in the individual funding opportunity announcement and may vary by program. In addition, all Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co- Investigators (Co-Is) must register in NASA's Solicitation and Proposal Integration and Review System (NSPIRES) at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external as NSPIRES is used to support proposal submission, review, and award processing.

Criteria for selecting proposals

All proposals will undergo an administrative, merit, and financial review. The NASA funding organization responsible for managing the technical aspects of an awarded effort is responsible for the merit review process, which may be based on peer review. All applications for NASA discretionary awards are subject to a merit review with the objective of selecting the recipient most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the objectives outlined in this Assistance Listing. Applicants may consult the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement manual for additional Designations Other information on NASA Proposal review and selection process. https://www.nasa.gov/grants-policy-and-complianceteam/#Regulations

Award procedure

After proposals are submitted, NASA evaluates all applications to determine funding selections, and applicants are notified of the outcome by email. Award selection announcements generally occur 150 to 220 days after the proposal due date, following approval of NASA funding through the federal budget process. Selection timelines may be extended due to budget delays, required final approvals and concurrence, or if additional information is needed from the applicant, such as revised budgets or supporting details required to finalize the award.

Time to approval or disapproval

For information on application review procedures, applicants should refer to the applicable section of Proposal Review and Selection Criteria of the GCAM: https://www.nasa.gov/grants-policy-andcompliance- team/#Regulations

Renewals

Renewal and extension information can be found in the NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) and the NASA NSSC website at https://www.nasa.gov/centers/nssc/grants

Appeals

Information on NASA appeals policy and process can be found in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM), and does not apply to proposals returned without review by NASA for an applicant's failure to: a. Submit a late proposal where information regarding the proposal deadline (i.e., date, time, and location) for submission had been previously specified. b. Meet the NASA proposal preparation requirements, such as page limitations, formatting, instructions, and electronic submission. c. Submit a proposal that is responsive to the NOFO or that contains sufficient detail. d. Submit the proposal with enough lead time before the activity is to commence.

Grant opportunities

Opportunity Status Posted Applications due
ROSES 2025: F.20 Economic, Social, and Policy Analyses of Lunar Surface Sustainability NNH25ZDA001N-EPALS Closed
ROSES 2024: F.21 Economic, Social and Policy Analyses of Lunar Surface Sustainability NNH24ZDA001N-EPALS Closed
ROSES 2024: F.15 Economic, Social and Policy Analyses of Orbital Space Sustainability NNH24ZDA001N-EPAOD Closed
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I 80HQTR19NOA01-20NIAC-A1 Closed
NASA innovative advanced concepts {niac} phase II NNH15ZOA001N-15NIAC-A2 Closed
Early career faculty {ECF} NNH15ZOA001N-15ECF-B1 Closed
Game Changing Development Program, Ultra-Lightweightcore Materials For Efficient Load-Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures Appendix NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C1 Closed
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC), Phase I NNH15ZOA0001N-15NIAC-A1 Closed
NASA space technology mission directorate NASA innovative advanced concepts: phase i studies NASA research announcement - 2015 NNH15ZOA001N-15NIAC-A1 Closed
Space technology research development demonstration and infusion-2015 NNH15ZOA001N — —
NASA office of the chief technologist NASA innovative advanced concepts: phase i studies NASA research announcement – 2013 NNH13ZUA001N — —
NASA space technology research fellowships - fall 2013 NSTRF13 Closed
NASA office of the chief technologist - NASA innovative advanced concepts: phase i studies - NASA research announcement - 2012 NNH12ZUA002N — —
Game changing opportunities in technology development NNL12A3001N Closed
Early Stage Innovation NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) NNH11ZUA001N Closed
Unique and Innovative Space Technology NNH11ZUA001K Closed
Show all 16

Grant awards

Award Recipient Federal obligations Awarded
This is an unsolicited proposal from the space science and engineering center (ssec) at the university of… 80NSSC26K0411 University Of Wisconsin System $508,641
This proposal seeks funding for a phase 2 three-year cooperative agreement between the thermo-physics facilities branch… 80NSSC25K0446 San Jose State University Research Foundation $201,482
The vasts program will use the funds to continue to create updated innovative content and educational methods that… 80NSSC25K0150 Old Dominion University Research Foundation $95,000
The goal of the proposed work is to study the effectiveness of using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to determine… 80NSSC25M7114 The Regents Of The University Of California $69,996
First inspires young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs… 80NSSC25K7947 For Inspiration And Recognition Of Science And Technology (First) $25,000
NOAA-passive radiometer interference management for earth-observing systems (n-prime) 80NSSC25K7634 The Ohio State University $90,115
Basic research in machine learning methods for detecting and removing radio frequency interference (RFI) in microwave… 80NSSC25K7633 The Research Foundation For The State University Of New York $60,943
CAN24-118 advanced understanding of fatigue failure and local – bulk mechanical properties of laser powder directed… 80NSSC25M7052 University Of Toledo $43,505
Educating the NASA stem workforce pipeline 80NSSC24K1003 Old Dominion University Research Foundation $650,000
The dual use technology development program s objective is to create partnerships with U.S. Industry and… 80NSSC25M7067 Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. $1

Latest 10 of 718 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Top recipients by federal obligations

Rank Recipient Federal obligations Share
1 San Jose State University Research Foundation $42,524,355 13%
2 Universities Space Research Association $30,541,976 9%
3 University Of Maryland, College Park $25,067,663 8%
4 City Of Hampton $15,018,000 5%
5 Seti Institute $9,440,449 3%
6 Florida Institute For Human & Machine Cognition Inc. $8,492,785 3%
7 Carnegie-Mellon University $8,440,194 3%
8 Regents Of The University Of Michigan $8,314,690 3%
9 The Regents Of The University Of Colorado $8,295,651 2%
10 University Of Florida $6,478,483 2%

10 of 241 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Federal obligations by fiscal year

Fiscal year Federal obligations
FY2026 $10,866,817
FY2025 $15,020,783
FY2024 $23,735,682
FY2023 $42,241,014
FY2022 $37,139,611
FY2021 $17,528,096
FY2020 $13,310,887
FY2019 $12,073,300
FY2018 $12,571,222
FY2017 $10,870,136
FY2016 $21,171,892
FY2015 $25,436,122
FY2014 $32,804,421
FY2013 $27,612,701
FY2012 $24,131,419
FY2011 $10,540,842
FY2010 $75,000
Show all 17

Quick answers

What is Assistance Listing 43.009?

Assistance Listing 43.009 is Mission Support, a federal grant program run by National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

What is the CFDA number for Mission Support?

Its CFDA number is 43.009: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.

How much funding has Assistance Listing 43.009 awarded?

718 grant awards under 43.009 have obligated $332,404,265 in federal funds to 241 recipients.

Who receives the most funding from 43.009?

The recipients obligated the most under Mission Support are San Jose State University Research Foundation ($42,524,355), Universities Space Research Association ($30,541,976) and University Of Maryland, College Park ($25,067,663).

How much did 43.009 obligate in fiscal year 2025?

Grants under 43.009 obligated $15,020,783 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.

Are there open grant opportunities under 43.009?

No opportunity listed under 43.009 is open now. The latest, ROSES 2025: F.20 Economic, Social, and Policy Analyses of Lunar Surface Sustainability, was posted on February 21, 2025.

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