Current Opportunity
NLRA 2025-1: ISS National Lab Research Announcement For Follow-On Projects
NLRA 2025-1: ISS National Lab Research Announcement For Follow-On Projects
This ISSInternational Space Station National Lab Research Announcement (NLRAThe abbreviation for an ISS National Lab Research Announcement. NLRAs are one of the ISS National Lab’s primary mechanisms to solicit proposals in specific research areas.) invites proposals from past principal investigators or organizations that have successfully completed a previous ISS National Lab-sponsored project. Offerors should aim to continue or extend their previous scientific, technical, or educational projects, demonstrating how their proposed work builds upon the results of their earlier efforts.
Flight projects selected through this research announcement may receive funding to support mission integration and operations for implementation on the ISS.
Solicitation #:
NLRA 2025-1
NLRA Open Period:
Begins 10/18/2024
Strategic Focus:
All
Research Area:
All

Media Credit: NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
In collaboration with NASA, CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes). has identified multiple ISS National Lab lines of business that align with strategic priorities to bring value to the nation and foster a robust, scalable market in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles. (LEO). Proposals will be evaluated within the following lines of business:
- Fundamental Science: Research in microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. or space environments designed to advance knowledge in scientific fields without necessarily aiming for economic output.
- In-Space Production Applications(Abbreviation: InSPA) InSPA is an applied research and development program sponsored by NASA and the ISS National Lab aimed at demonstrating space-based manufacturing and production activities by using the unique space environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that could have an economic impact.: Research and development (R&D) in LEO focused on scalable, sustainable manufacturing processes with market potential and opportunities for investment.
- Technology Development/Demonstration: Applied R&D to advance technologies, with a focus on commercial applications.
- STEM Education and Workforce Development: Programs that leverage space-based research to build a STEM-capable workforce, particularly targeting underrepresented groups, students, and educators.
Steps For Applying To This Research Opportunity
This research announcement will follow a two-step proposal submission process. First, offerors must submit a Step 1: Letter of Intent, which will be reviewed to determine eligibility to submit a full proposal. Only those who pass this initial step will be invited to proceed to Step 2: Full Proposal submission.
Please note: Step 1: Letters of Intent and Step 2: Full Proposals (upon invitation) will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Update Notice: The “Instructions to Offerors” document was revised on January 15, 2025. Ensure you are using the updated version by downloading the latest materials.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For answers to common questions related to this ISS National Lab Research Announcement, please click here to view the FAQs.
OTHER APPLICANT RESOURCES
Click here to view Applicant Resources for ISS National Lab Research Opportunities
Download the NLRA 2025-1 Instructions
- Step 1: Letters of Intent will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Note: The “Instructions to Offerors” document was revised on January 15, 2025. Ensure you are using the updated version by downloading the latest materials.
Letters of intent must be submitted electronically using the submission form. Access to the form can be found by pressing the “Click to Submit” button below.
- All offerors will be notified of the review results for their Step 1: Letter of Intent.
- Upon invitation, download the Step 2 Instructions
- Step 2: Full Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Step 2.2: If you were invited to submit a Step 2: Full Proposal, upload your submission by pressing the “Click to Submit” button below. Please convert your document to a PDF prior to uploading.
Thank you for your interest in conducting research leveraging the ISS National Lab! For questions regarding this research announcement, please contact info@ISSNationalLab.org and reference NLRA2025-1 in the subject line.
Please note: There will not be a live informational webinar for this solicitation.
Export Control Notice
Please verify that none of the information submitted is subject to the export control laws of the United States, including the EAR or the ITAR. If any information is subject to such laws, please mark all pages containing such information and identify the appropriate export control jurisdiction and classification.