Iowa NASA EPSCoR is currently soliciting for pre-proposals for the NASA EPSCoR Research Award Funding Opportunity.
Pre-Proposals Due: November 3, 2025
Please submit an NOI if you are planning on submitting a pre-proposal by October 27, 2025.
View the full FY26 Pre-Proposal RFP here.
Pre-Proposal Selection Notice: Mid-November
FY25 NASA EPSCoR Research Award Notice of Funding Opportunity can be found here.
Anticipated NASA Release: Late October 2025
Anticipated Proposal Deadline in NSPIRES: Mid-January 2026
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of STEM Engagement, in cooperation with NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), Science Mission Directorates (SMD), the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), and NASA’s nine Centers, plus the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), solicit proposals for the NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
The National NASA EPSCoR Research Award solicitation is anticipated to be released Fall 2025, with a single strong full proposal due from Iowa in January 2026. To allow sufficient time to select and develop this proposal, the Iowa NASA EPSCoR office solicits for NOIs and pre-proposals in advance of the NOFO release and proposal due date. The Iowa NASA EPSCoR office, with assistance from the INE Technical Advisory Committee, will select the proposal that will be submitted to the FY2026 RA NOFO. The FY2025 RA is expected to be similar to the previous solicitation, number NNH24ZHA003C-EPSCOR. Proposals must be submitted by the Iowa NASA EPSCoR Director through NSPIRES. Proposals submitted directly by researchers will not be accepted.
Each funded NASA EPSCoR proposal is expected to establish research activities that will make significant contributions to NASA’s strategic research and technology development priorities and contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities of higher education, and economic development of the jurisdiction receiving funding. A list of the research priorities for each Mission Directorate and center can be found here. There are 28 jurisdictions in NASA EPSCoR, each of which is allowed to submit one proposal for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Eligibility
Faculty throughout Iowa, particularly junior faculty, are encouraged to apply. NASA EPSCoR does not have citizenship requirements. However, it should be noted that foreign nationals are not normally allowed into NASA Centers.
Funding
Jurisdictions responding to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) may submit one proposal in accordance with EPSCoR Eligibility and Proposal Acceptance. Proposals will be selected from this solicitation for FY 2025 funding. It is anticipated that ten (10) to fifteen (15) awards of up to $750,000 to be expended over a three-year period of performance may be made under this NOFO. Cost-sharing by proposers is required at a level of at least 50% of the requested NASA funds, bringing the total funding to $1,125,000. In-kind cost-sharing is allowable. As always, the Government’s obligation to make an award is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment can be made.*
It is the proposer’s responsibility to view the FY2026 NOFO in its entirety. The new NOFO will be posted when released by NASA. For reference last year’s announcement can be found here: NASA FY2025 NOFO Solicitation
Pre-Proposal Submission Instructions
In order to allow time for internal competition, pre-proposals must be submitted as one PDF file to Pre-Proposal Submission by November 3, 2025. A Notice of Intent (NOI) submission prior to submission of the pre-proposal would be appreciated.
The pre-proposal should include the following:
- Cover Page
- Project Description: includes scientific/technical summary, goals, objectives, timeline, expected outcomes, management/evaluation, and collaborators. (5 page maximum)
- Budget and Narrative
- Letter of Support from NASA Collaborator
Pre-Proposal Cover Page: PDF
*Proposers should be aware that NASA’s issuance of the RA NOFO is not guaranteed. Iowa NASA EPSCoR reserves the right to make adjustments to the timelines and RFP requirements as needed to accommodate the instructions contained in the FY2026 RA NOFO, if and when the solicitation is released by NASA. Proposers should be mindful that their proposed timelines may need to be adjusted upon award.