NASA AI

NASA AI Research Funding supports artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for space exploration, Earth science, and aeronautics through multiple programs including the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitation. The Foundational Artificial Intelligence for the Moon and Mars (FAIMM) program, launched in 2025, specifically targets Foundation Models (FMs) for lunar and Martian science and exploration with individual researcher awards and team collaboration opportunities.

For ZHC builders, NASA offers unique opportunities to apply AI/ML to space-related challenges including autonomous systems, planetary exploration, Earth observation data analysis, and mission-critical decision support. NASA particularly values projects that advance trustworthy AI, reduce computational requirements for space environments, and enable autonomous operations in extreme conditions. Awards typically range from $100K-$500K for individual investigators to $1M+ for larger team efforts.

Program Categories

FAIMM - Foundational AI for Moon and Mars

• Individual researchers as team members
• Designing science and exploration applications for Foundation Models
• No prior AI/ML experience required
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary teams
• Deadline: April 28, 2026

ROSES AI-Related Programs

• Autonomous systems for planetary exploration
• Earth science data analysis and ML
• Space weather prediction
• Mission planning and operations AI
• Onboard autonomous decision-making

Research Focus Areas

• AI-powered robotics - Autonomous rovers and spacecraft
• Remote sensing - Earth observation and planetary mapping
• Mission operations - Intelligent scheduling and resource allocation
• Scientific discovery - Pattern recognition in space science data
• Human-AI teaming - Supporting astronaut decision-making

Eligibility Requirements

• All organizations - Universities, research institutions, companies (any size), non-profits
• US presence - Work typically performed in US (some international collaboration allowed)
• Principal Investigator - Must be affiliated with eligible organization
• No cost share - Typically not required for research grants

ZHC-Specific Fit

✅ Excellent for:

• Autonomous systems for space exploration
• ML for scientific data analysis and discovery
• Edge AI for resource-constrained environments
• Multi-agent coordination in extreme conditions
• Computer vision for planetary and Earth observation
• Predictive models for mission planning
• Human-AI collaboration systems

❌ Poor fit if:

• No clear space/Earth science application
• Purely terrestrial commercial products
• Incremental improvements to existing commercial AI
• No path to space environment deployment

ROSES Application Process

FAIMM-Specific Timeline

• Announcement: January 13, 2026
• Proposals due: April 28, 2026
• No Step-1 or NOIs: Direct full proposal submission
• Selection: Summer 2026 (estimated)
• Program duration: 18-36 months typical

Current Programs (ROSES 2025-2026)

• C.12 FAIMM - Foundation Models for Moon and Mars
• AI for Earth Science - Machine learning for climate and environmental data
• Autonomous Systems - Robotics and decision-making
• Data Science - Analysis tools for space science missions

Proposal Requirements

• Science/technical/management section (15 pages typical)
• References and citations
• Budget justification
• Current and pending support
• Facilities and equipment
• Data management plan
• Open science plan (new requirement)
• Biographical sketches for key personnel

• ROSES 2025 Homepage
• NSPIRES Portal - Proposal submission
• SARA (Science Activation) - Research opportunities
• FAIMM inquiries: HQ-FAIMM@mail.nasa.gov
• NASA Solicitation Library
• SMD Research Contacts
• General: HQ-SMD-ROSES@mail.nasa.gov