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Returning Researcher – Principal Investigator

While new researchers seek general, introductory information and guidance, the returning ISSInternational Space Station National Lab researcher understands the complexities of space-based research. Whether you are seeking out your next research opportunity or are about to publish results from your flight project, guidance is available. The information below serves as a reminder of how the ISS National Lab and its partners support research to benefit humanity.

Commercial Service Providers (CSPs)

The primary pathway to conduct R&D on the ISS through the ISS National Lab is through business-to-business transactions with CSPs. CSPs are commercial companies that are a subset of Implementation Partners that own and operate facilities on the ISS. CSPs have unique agreements with the ISS National Lab that allow them to bypass the traditional peer-review proposal process and fly payloads to the ISS for their customers through business-to-business transactions. More information on how to identify, select, and work with CSPs to conduct R&D on the ISS can be found on the Commercial Service Provider Pathway webpage.

Solicitations

The ISS National Lab is unlikely to issue solicitations that offer funding for proposed projects, but may occasionally do so for target research areas. Solicitations, if available, are posted on the Current and Upcoming Research Opportunities webpage.

Additional Responsibilities for Returning Investigators

Returning investigators should ensure that their activities follow ISS National Lab reporting and communication guidelines.

Publications and Research Outputs

Please share any presentations, publications, patents, and related developments with the ISS National Lab. Include this acknowledgment in all published work:

“Research reported in this [publication/press release/web page] was supported by the International Space StationNational Laboratory under [award/agreement] number (insert grant number).”

Provide verbal acknowledgment during media interviews and presentations.

Outreach and Media Coordination

The ISS National Lab’s Communications Team highlights investigator research across multiple platforms. Coordinate with this team when preparing external materials.

For press releases, contact communications@ISSNationalLab.org at least two weeks before release.

Available Tools and References

ISS Research Facilities Directory: https://www.issnationallab.org/research-facilities/
NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration Research Explorer: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/
Email Ops@ISSNationalLab.org with payload operations questions or info@ISSNationalLab.org with general questions.

Scientific Advancements & Results:
Space-based research is essential for advancing scientific knowledge and achieving groundbreaking R&D outcomes that are unattainable on Earth. Sharing these results fosters the growth of the space community and encourages more researchers to consider space as a viable option for addressing their most significant challenges. Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab, disseminates findings from ISS National Lab-sponsored research and technology development (R&D) to the global scientific community. Additionally, ISS National Lab case studies offer comprehensive overviews of unique space-based research projects, providing valuable insights and practical examples for future researchers, companies, and prospective investors.