*The Catalyst Solicitation was amended on 09/30/2026 to reflect updated TRISH priorities as outlined in Section D. Proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully review the amended solicitation prior to submitting an application.
** Proposals are accepted at any time. Step-1 reviews are conducted quarterly.
*** 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:
1. Have a focus that falls outside of a currently open or recently-closed TRISH solicitation.
2. Address a critical human system risk challenge for NASA HRP and TRISH.
3. 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
This open call for proposals has been carefully crafted to reflect new and emerging NASA priorities and we recognize that application for federal funding takes significant effort. However, applicants should be aware 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. Projects must be completed within the proposed period of performance, which shall not exceed 12 months. Applicants may propose shorter project duration if that is appropriate to the scope of work. TRISH anticipates that this solicitation will remain open through December 2026 with no proposals accepted after that date.
Tier 1 projects are a maximum total amount <$150K for up to 12 months.
Tier 2 projects can reach a total amount ≥ $150K for up to 12 months.
All direct and indirect costs required by an institution must be included in the total cost of the award.
The Catalyst Program Solicitation (amended 09/30/2026)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Updated on 08/06/2026
A new research security training certification requirement is in effect and must be incorporated into the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support (CPS) forms. The updated forms are available on the NASA Grant Operations Management website under “Grant Forms.” TRISH only accept the NASA-specific, SciENcv-developed forms. Word-based forms are no longer accepted.
Back to Solicitation ListThe Catalyst Program
*The Catalyst Solicitation was amended on 09/30/2026 to reflect updated TRISH priorities as outlined in Section D. Proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully review the amended solicitation prior to submitting an application.
** Proposals are accepted at any time. Step-1 reviews are conducted quarterly.
*** 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:
1. Have a focus that falls outside of a currently open or recently-closed TRISH solicitation.
2. Address a critical human system risk challenge for NASA HRP and TRISH.
3. 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
This open call for proposals has been carefully crafted to reflect new and emerging NASA priorities and we recognize that application for federal funding takes significant effort. However, applicants should be aware 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. Projects must be completed within the proposed period of performance, which shall not exceed 12 months. Applicants may propose shorter project duration if that is appropriate to the scope of work. TRISH anticipates that this solicitation will remain open through December 2026 with no proposals accepted after that date.
Tier 1 projects are a maximum total amount <$150K for up to 12 months.
Tier 2 projects can reach a total amount ≥ $150K for up to 12 months.
All direct and indirect costs required by an institution must be included in the total cost of the award.
The Catalyst Program Solicitation (amended 09/30/2026)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Updated on 08/06/2026
A new research security training certification requirement is in effect and must be incorporated into the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support (CPS) forms. The updated forms are available on the NASA Grant Operations Management website under “Grant Forms.” TRISH only accept the NASA-specific, SciENcv-developed forms. Word-based forms are no longer accepted.
Back to Solicitation List