INTRODUCTION:
The Deputy Center Director, the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), and the Office of the Center Chief Technologist (CCT) are pleased to announce the FY26 IRAD request for proposals.
The purpose of the IRAD is to develop strategic technical capabilities in support of the Center competencies and thereby enable science, technology and engineering efforts for future Agency missions. The advances in science and technology expected through this program will provide opportunities for technical risk reduction and/or increased cost effectiveness and initiate potentially transformational solutions.
PROPOSAL SCOPE:
This call is open to NASA Ames civil servants only. The IRAD focuses on science, technology and engineering investments that will develop skills, capabilities and systems relevant for future Ames work.
It is incumbent upon the proposer to demonstrate clearly the true innovation of the proposed project, based on existing state-of-the-art, and to demonstrate how their proposal supports Agency objectives and Center priorities.
The IRAD proposals are open to any area of science, technology or engineering research investment relevant to Ames*. Proposals that include funded collaborations with other Centers, USGS, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz and SJSU are encouraged.
*Ames NASA Specific Mission Focused Areas:
Moon-to-Mars (M2M) mission, technology and exploration science.
Earth and Mars Entry Systems.
Air Traffic Management & Advanced Air Mobility.
UAV/UAS testing capability.
Intelligent/Adaptive systems.
Advanced Computing.
Space Biology, Astrobiology, Space & Weather Science.
ELIGIBILITY, FUNDING AMOUNTS, AND PROJECT DURATION:
The IRAD call is only open to NASA Ames civil servants. Requested budget are not exceed $100K (FY26) and 100K (FY27) with awards expected to be made in March 2026. Funds can be split between FTE and Procurement, including contract labor. A minimum of 70% o …