Completed Opportunities

The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD), in the grasp of the Kibo laboratory robotic arm, is photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station as it deploys a set of NanoRacks CubeSats. The CubeSats program contains a variety of experiments such as Earth observations and advanced electronics testing.

Open Period: Cycle 1 - 9/15/2022 – 3/29/2023
Cycle 2 - 2/28/2023 – 7/17/2023
Cycle 3 - 5/15/2023 – 10/9/2023

NLRA 2023-8: Technology Advancement and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab

The purpose of this NLRA is to solicit proposals focused on flight investigations within applied R&D, translational medicine, technology readiness level maturation, and technology demonstration.

iss065e085491 (June 3, 2021) NASA astronaut and Expedition 65 Flight Engineer Megan McArthur loads protein crystallography plates with protein solutions for the Real time Protein Crystal Growth experiment. The biotechnology study demonstrates new methods for producing high quality protein crystals in microgravity. Results may help identify new targets and develop better drugs to treat a variety of diseases on Earth and advance the commercialization of low Earth orbit.

Open Period: 10/4/2023 – 3/11/2024

NLRA 2024-1: In-Space Production Applications: Tissue Engineering and Biomanufacturing

The purpose of this NLRA is to solicit proposals for applied research and development seeking to demonstrate space-based biomanufacturing activities in microgravity.

Open Period: 8/8/2023 – 3/15/2024

NLRA 2023-10 Igniting Innovation: Science in Space to Cure Disease on Earth

This NLRA is issued in collaboration with NASA BPS and seeks proposals for flight research on the ISS to address the goals of the Cancer MoonshotSM initiative.

NASA astronaut Joe Acaba working on the LaunchPad Medical investigation onboard the ISS.

Open Period: 7/12/2023 – 10/30/2023

Technology in Space Prize 2023 (Funded by Boeing and CASIS in Partnership with MassChallenge)

The prize is open to startups that participate in a MassChallenge program and provides an opportunity to utilize the ISS National Lab to conduct innovative research and technology development (R&D).

NASA astronaut and Expedition 64 Flight Engineer Victor Glover performs a sample exchange in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) as part of the Fiber Optic Production (FOP) experiment. FOP produces fiber optic cable in microgravity from a blend of elements called ZBLAN. Previous research suggests optical fibers produced in microgravity should exhibit superior qualities to those produced on Earth.

Open Period: 2/13/2023 – 7/20/2023

NLRA 2023-6: In-space Production Applications: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

The purpose of this ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA) is to solicit proposals for applied R&D seeking to demonstrate space-based manufacturing and production activities in microgravity.

Open Period: 12/12/2022 – 5/3/2023

NLRA 2023-5 Leveraging the International Space Station for Education and Workforce...

The purpose of this ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA) is to solicit proposals to leverage the ISS for education and workforce development.

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins works inside the Life Sciences Glovebox

Open Period: 12/1/2022-3/6/2023

NSF/CASIS 2023 Collaboration on Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology on the ISS to Benefit...

The purpose of this solicitation is to attract proposals that make use of the ISS National Lab for flight research projects in the field of biomedical engineering.

ss068e006386 (Oct. 1, 2022) NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio has fun with fluid physics as he observes the behavior of a free flying water bubble inside the International Space Stations Kibo laboratory module.

Open Period: 12/1/2022-3/6/2023

NSF/CASIS 2023 Collaboration on Transport Phenomena Research on the ISS to Benefit Life on...

The purpose of this solicitation is to attract proposals to leverage the ISS National Lab for research related to the NSF Transport Phenomena Cluster and Nanoscale Interaction programs.

ESA astronaut and Expedition 65 Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet works on the Cardinal Muscle investigation in the Life Sciences Glovebox aboard the ISS.

Open Period: 10/3/2023 – 2/28/2023

NLRA 2023-2: In-Space Production Applications: Tissue Engineering and Biomanufacturing

The purpose of this NLRA is to solicit proposals for applied R&D seeking to demonstrate space-based biomanufacturing activities in microgravity.

NASA astronaut Thomas Marshburn configures the Combustion Integrated Rack's combustion chamber for the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction study to investigate material flammability and ways to improve fire safety in space.

Open Period: 9/15/2022-3/29/2023

NLRA 2023-1: Technology Advancement and Applied Research Leveraging the ISS National Lab

The purpose of this NLRA is to solicit proposals focused on flight investigations within applied R&D, translational medicine, technology readiness level maturation, and technology demonstrations.

Open Period: 3/18/2022 – 7/19/2022

NLRA 2022-7: Leveraging the ISS National Lab to Enable Digital Engagement For K-12 and...

The purpose of this NLRA is to solicit applications for programs, products, and public-private partnerships focused on educational objectives related to the ISS National Lab.

Aeropyrum pernix Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN 1) protein crystals are shown grown under Earth gravity conditions. FEN 1 serves as the experimental protein for the Phase II Real time Protein Crystal Growth on Board the International Space Station (Real Time Protein Crystal Growth 2) investigation.

Open Period: 2/14/2022 – 6/15/2022

NLRA 2022-6: In-space Production Applications: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

The purpose of this ISS National Lab Research Announcement is to solicit proposals for applied R&D to demonstrate space-based manufacturing and production activities in microgravity.