TRISH is re-opening Catalyst for review with new priority topic areas posted in alignment with new agency goals. Proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully review the amended solicitation prior to submitting an application.
** Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis with Step-1 reviews conducted monthly. November 18, 2025 is the next deadline for Catalyst Step-1 proposals.
** TRISH has identified topic areas of higher interest. At this time TRISH discourages projects that fall outside the Catalyst Priority Topics listed in the solicitation (see section D).
** Applicants should be made aware of the risk that all funding is subject to the availability of funds provided to TRISH by NASA. Accordingly, the disbursement of any awards under this solicitation is not guaranteed and may be delayed, reduced, or canceled in the event of changes to NASA’s budgetary allocations.
The Catalyst Grant Program offers a streamlined method for carrying out proof-of-concept projects, directed technology development(s) for space health that address a critical need(s), maturation of promising concepts with strong preliminary findings, and innovative projects that present opportunities outside of regularly scheduled solicitation cycles.
TRISH seeks research that enables and enhances human exploration of space beyond low-Earth orbit. Catalyst Projects MUST:
- Have a focus that falls outside of a currently open or recently-closed TRISH solicitation.
- Address a critical human system risk challenge for NASA HRP and TRISH.
- Represent unique and high-impact ideas, technologies, or countermeasures to spaceflight hazards.
In keeping with the TRISH mission of translating and maturing novel approaches, TRISH may identify specific project(s) for deeper investigation or collaboration opportunities with other funded researchers.
Our primary goal is to help mitigate NASA Human Research Program’s (HRP) risks and enable future Artemis missions and deep space exploration.
Eligibility
All categories of United States (U.S.) institutions and companies are eligible to submit proposals. Principal Investigators (PIs) may collaborate with universities, the private sector, and federal, state, and local government laboratories. In all such arrangements, the applying entity is expected to be responsible for administering the project according to the management approach presented in the proposal. For our policy on international proposers and institutions, please refer to the FAQ and FAR Supplement.
The applying entity must have in place a documented base of ongoing high-quality research and development in science, healthcare, and technology, or in those areas of science, medicine, and engineering clearly relevant to the specific programmatic objectives and research emphases indicated in this document.
For more information on TRISH and NASA procurement mechanisms, please refer to NASA FAR Supplement https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/NFS.pdf.
Award information
All funding is subject to the availability of funds provided to TRISH by NASA. Accordingly, the disbursement of any awards under this solicitation is not guaranteed and may be delayed, reduced, or canceled in the event of changes to NASA’s budgetary allocations. Projects are anticipated to begin in Spring/Summer 2026 and all projects must be completed within the 12-18 month timeline.
Tier 1 projects are a maximum total amount < $150K for up to 12 months.
Tier 2 projects can reach a total amount of ≥ $150K for up to 18 months.
All direct and indirect costs required by an institution must be included in the total cost of the award.
Selected proposals will be funded as research grants. Tier 2 proposals will be funded as a one-year increment with a six-month extension. Additional funding allocations to participating investigators will be based on the submitted budget, available funds, programmatic alignment, and project review.
The Catalyst Program Solicitation (amended 10/17/2025)
Catalyst 2024 Program
TRISH is re-opening Catalyst for review with new priority topic areas posted in alignment with new agency goals. Proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully review the amended solicitation prior to submitting an application.
** Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis with Step-1 reviews conducted monthly. November 18, 2025 is the next deadline for Catalyst Step-1 proposals.
** TRISH has identified topic areas of higher interest. At this time TRISH discourages projects that fall outside the Catalyst Priority Topics listed in the solicitation (see section D).
** Applicants should be made aware of the risk that all funding is subject to the availability of funds provided to TRISH by NASA. Accordingly, the disbursement of any awards under this solicitation is not guaranteed and may be delayed, reduced, or canceled in the event of changes to NASA’s budgetary allocations.
The Catalyst Grant Program offers a streamlined method for carrying out proof-of-concept projects, directed technology development(s) for space health that address a critical need(s), maturation of promising concepts with strong preliminary findings, and innovative projects that present opportunities outside of regularly scheduled solicitation cycles.
TRISH seeks research that enables and enhances human exploration of space beyond low-Earth orbit. Catalyst Projects MUST:
- Have a focus that falls outside of a currently open or recently-closed TRISH solicitation.
- Address a critical human system risk challenge for NASA HRP and TRISH.
- Represent unique and high-impact ideas, technologies, or countermeasures to spaceflight hazards.
In keeping with the TRISH mission of translating and maturing novel approaches, TRISH may identify specific project(s) for deeper investigation or collaboration opportunities with other funded researchers.
Our primary goal is to help mitigate NASA Human Research Program’s (HRP) risks and enable future Artemis missions and deep space exploration.
Eligibility
All categories of United States (U.S.) institutions and companies are eligible to submit proposals. Principal Investigators (PIs) may collaborate with universities, the private sector, and federal, state, and local government laboratories. In all such arrangements, the applying entity is expected to be responsible for administering the project according to the management approach presented in the proposal. For our policy on international proposers and institutions, please refer to the FAQ and FAR Supplement.
The applying entity must have in place a documented base of ongoing high-quality research and development in science, healthcare, and technology, or in those areas of science, medicine, and engineering clearly relevant to the specific programmatic objectives and research emphases indicated in this document.
For more information on TRISH and NASA procurement mechanisms, please refer to NASA FAR Supplement https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/NFS.pdf.
Award information
All funding is subject to the availability of funds provided to TRISH by NASA. Accordingly, the disbursement of any awards under this solicitation is not guaranteed and may be delayed, reduced, or canceled in the event of changes to NASA’s budgetary allocations. Projects are anticipated to begin in Spring/Summer 2026 and all projects must be completed within the 12-18 month timeline.
Tier 1 projects are a maximum total amount < $150K for up to 12 months.
Tier 2 projects can reach a total amount of ≥ $150K for up to 18 months.
All direct and indirect costs required by an institution must be included in the total cost of the award.
Selected proposals will be funded as research grants. Tier 2 proposals will be funded as a one-year increment with a six-month extension. Additional funding allocations to participating investigators will be based on the submitted budget, available funds, programmatic alignment, and project review.
The Catalyst Program Solicitation (amended 10/17/2025)