Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH26ZTR001N 26ESI B7
Apply for NNH26ZTR001N 26ESI B7
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EARLY STAGE INNOVATIONS FOR IN SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION (ESI26-ISRU)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
NASA Headquarters is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called Early Stage Innovations for In Situ Resource Utilization (ESI26-ISRU). This call is published as an appendix under NASA's broader Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2026 umbrella NASA Research Announcement (SpaceTech REDDI 2026) managed by the Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD). The solicitation is posted in NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) and can be found by searching "Early Stage Innovations (ESI26)" or by using the direct link: https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/NNH26ZTR001N-26ESIB7.
The purpose of this appendix is to fund innovative, early-stage space technology research that NASA considers high priority, specifically work that is still at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). A key constraint is that proposed research must be primarily responsive to civil-space needs and NASA use cases, rather than being aimed at terrestrial markets or non-civil-space applications. For this particular appendix, NASA is only seeking proposals that address one focused technical topic: Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) water purification. In practical terms, this means research efforts that advance methods, materials, processes, systems, or subsystems that could help clean, condition, or otherwise purify water derived from lunar resources for use in exploration missions.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. institutions of higher education, including both private and public/state-controlled universities. The Principal Investigator must be a tenured faculty member or an untenured faculty member on the tenure track at the proposing institution. Teaming and collaboration are allowed, but they must follow the specific participation and teaming rules described in the solicitation. Funding and oversight come through the Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program within RTMD.
NASA expects to make about three awards under this call, depending on proposal quality and available funds, and it explicitly reserves the right to make no awards if submissions are not sufficiently meritorious or if funding is constrained. The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000 per award. The planned start date for selected awards is June 2027.
The application process uses a mandatory two-step structure. First, applicants must submit a preliminary proposal, and only teams that receive an invitation may submit a full proposal. The deadline for the mandatory preliminary proposal is August 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern. The target deadline for invited full proposals is December 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern. All submissions must be made electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative, and applicants are encouraged to register in NSPIRES early and not wait until close to the deadline to upload required materials.
For questions, NASA directs technical and programmatic inquiries to the STRG Program Executive via email at hq-esi-call@mail.nasa.gov. Answers will be provided by email and may also be added to the solicitation's FAQ on the NSPIRES page, with anonymity preserved for individuals and institutions that submit questions. Key identifiers associated with the opportunity include Funding Opportunity Number NNH26ZTR001N-26ESIB7 and CFDA 43.012, with the activity category listed as science and technology research and development and the funding instrument listed as a grant.
Early Stage Innovations for In Situ Resource Utilization (ESI26-ISRU) - FAQs
1) What is the name of this NASA grant opportunity?
The opportunity is called Early Stage Innovations for In Situ Resource Utilization (ESI26-ISRU).
2) Who is offering this opportunity?
It is offered by NASA Headquarters as a discretionary grant opportunity.
3) How does this opportunity relate to SpaceTech REDDI 2026?
This call is published as an appendix under NASA's broader Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2026 umbrella NASA Research Announcement (also referred to as SpaceTech REDDI 2026), managed by NASA's Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD).
4) Where is the solicitation posted?
The solicitation is posted in NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system).
5) How can applicants find the solicitation in NSPIRES?
Applicants can search NSPIRES for "Early Stage Innovations (ESI26)" or use the direct link: https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/NNH26ZTR001N-26ESIB7.
6) What is the purpose of this appendix?
The purpose is to fund innovative, early-stage space technology research that NASA considers high priority, specifically work that is still at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
7) What technical topic is NASA seeking proposals for under this appendix?
NASA is only seeking proposals that address one focused technical topic: Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) water purification.
8) What types of research are in scope for "Lunar ISRU water purification"?
Research efforts that advance methods, materials, processes, systems, or subsystems that could help clean, condition, or otherwise purify water derived from lunar resources for use in exploration missions.
9) Are proposals required to be NASA-focused rather than aimed at terrestrial markets?
Yes. A key constraint is that proposed research must be primarily responsive to civil-space needs and NASA use cases, rather than being aimed at terrestrial markets or non-civil-space applications.
10) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. institutions of higher education, including both private and public/state-controlled universities.
11) What are the Principal Investigator (PI) eligibility requirements?
The PI must be a tenured faculty member or an untenured faculty member on the tenure track at the proposing institution.
12) Are teaming and collaborations allowed?
Yes. Teaming and collaboration are allowed, but they must follow the participation and teaming rules described in the solicitation.
13) What NASA program provides funding and oversight for this opportunity?
Funding and oversight come through the Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program within RTMD.
14) How many awards does NASA expect to make?
NASA expects to make about three awards, depending on proposal quality and available funds.
15) Can NASA decide to make no awards?
Yes. NASA explicitly reserves the right to make no awards if submissions are not sufficiently meritorious or if funding is constrained.
16) What is the maximum award amount?
The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000 per award.
17) What is the planned start date for selected awards?
The planned start date is June 2027.
18) What is the application structure for this opportunity?
The application process uses a mandatory two-step structure: (1) a preliminary proposal, and (2) a full proposal submitted only by teams that receive an invitation.
19) Is the preliminary proposal required?
Yes. The preliminary proposal is mandatory, and only teams that are invited may submit a full proposal.
20) What is the deadline for the mandatory preliminary proposal?
The deadline is August 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern.
21) What is the deadline for the invited full proposal?
The target deadline for invited full proposals is December 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern.
22) How must proposals be submitted?
All submissions must be made electronically through NSPIRES.
23) Who must submit the materials in NSPIRES?
Submissions must be made through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative.
24) Does NASA recommend registering in NSPIRES early?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to register in NSPIRES early and not wait until close to the deadline to upload required materials.
25) Who should applicants contact with technical or programmatic questions?
NASA directs technical and programmatic inquiries to the STRG Program Executive via email at hq-esi-call@mail.nasa.gov.
26) How will NASA provide answers to questions?
Answers will be provided by email and may also be added to the solicitation's FAQ on the NSPIRES page.
27) Will questions be posted publicly with identifying information?
No. When answers are added to the NSPIRES FAQ, NASA indicates that anonymity will be preserved for individuals and institutions that submit questions.
28) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this call?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH26ZTR001N-26ESIB7.
29) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 43.012.
30) What is the activity category and funding instrument?
The activity category is listed as science and technology research and development, and the funding instrument is listed as a grant.
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