Not Verified

EARLY STAGE INNOVATIONS FOR IN SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION (ESI26-ISRU)

National Institutes of Health

Document Type:	Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number:	NNH26ZTR001N-26ESI-B7
Funding Opportunity Title:	EARLY STAGE INNOVATIONS FOR IN SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION (ESI26-ISRU)
Opportunity Category:	Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
Funding Instrument Type:	Grant
Category of Funding Activity:	Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards:	3
Assistance Listings:	43.012 -- Space Technology
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:	No

Version:	Synopsis 1
Posted Date:	Jul 06, 2026
Last Updated Date:	Jul 06, 2026
Original Closing Date for Applications:	Aug 13, 2026
Current Closing Date for Applications:	Aug 13, 2026
Archive Date:	Sep 12, 2026
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Award Ceiling:	$1,500,000
Award Floor:	$0

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Importance of the research (Significance + Innovation) (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

For most NIH Research Project Grants submitted under the current simplified review framework, reviewers first evaluate the importance of the research, combining:

Significance of the scientific problem
Innovation
Potential to advance biomedical knowledge
Potential to improve human health
Addressing important knowledge gaps

Projects that solve important biomedical problems with innovative approaches receive the strongest scores.

2. Scientific rigor and feasibility (Approach) (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The Approach (now incorporated into the Rigor and Feasibility factor for many NIH RPGs) is widely regarded as the single most influential component.

Competitive proposals include:

Strong experimental design
Clearly defined Specific Aims
Appropriate statistical analysis
Rigorous methodology
Reproducibility
Risk mitigation strategies
Realistic milestones
Feasible timeline

Weak methodology is one of the most common reasons for poor NIH scores.

3. High overall scientific impact (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

NIH reviewers ultimately assign an Overall Impact Score, reflecting the likelihood that the project will exert a sustained, powerful influence on its field.

Reviewers consider:

Scientific importance
Innovation
Rigor
Feasibility
Investigator expertise
Research environment
Additional review criteria (when applicable)

Applications do not need to be perfect in every category to receive a strong overall impact score.

4. Outstanding investigator(s) and expertise (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers assess whether the research team has:

Appropriate expertise
Strong publication record
Relevant technical skills
Leadership experience
Ability to complete the proposed work

Under the current framework, investigator expertise contributes to the Expertise and Resources factor.

5. Strong research environment and institutional support (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications demonstrate access to:

Appropriate facilities
Core laboratories
Clinical infrastructure
Equipment
Collaborators
Institutional commitment

The research environment should clearly support successful completion of the project.

6. Innovation and originality (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

NIH strongly favors projects that:

Challenge existing paradigms
Introduce novel concepts
Develop new methodologies
Create new technologies
Open new areas of investigation

Incremental science is generally less competitive than research with the potential for transformative advances.

7. Alignment with the specific NIH Institute/Center and Funding Opportunity (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful applications closely match:

The mission of the assigned NIH Institute or Center
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Program priorities
Strategic initiatives

Even highly rated applications may not be funded if they do not fit programmatic priorities.

8. Appropriate treatment of additional review criteria (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Depending on the project, reviewers also consider:

Protection of human subjects
Inclusion across the lifespan
Inclusion of women and minorities (where applicable)
Vertebrate animal welfare
Biohazards
Clinical trial timelines

Although these items may not always receive separate numerical scores, deficiencies can negatively affect the overall impact score or funding eligibility.

9. Clear writing and persuasive grantsmanship (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Successful NIH proposals are characterized by:

Clear Specific Aims
Logical organization
Concise writing
Strong scientific rationale
Easy-to-follow figures and diagrams
Consistent narrative

Applications should be understandable to reviewers both within and adjacent to the applicant's field.

10. Realistic budget, project management, and compliance (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals include:

Well-justified budget
Appropriate project scope
Complete documentation
Compliance with NIH policies
Timely submission
Required institutional approvals

Budget requests should align with the scientific objectives and project duration.

Specialties

Others

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:	Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Information on Eligibility:	Private institutions of higher education, Public or State controlled institutions of higher education

Additional Information

Agency Name:

NASA Headquarters

Description:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released the solicitation Early Stage Innovations for In Situ Resource Utilization (ESI26-ISRU), as an appendix to the Research and Technology Mission Directorate (RTMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2026 (SpaceTech REDDI 2026).”. The solicitation is available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/, selecting “Open” under "Solicitations," and searching "Early Stage Innovations (ESI26)” under Keywords, or directly via https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/NNH26ZTR001N-26ESI_B7.

Through ESI, Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) Program within RTMD solicits proposals from U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) for innovative, early-stage space technology research of high priority to NASA. Proposals are sought on specific space technologies that are currently at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The solicitation exclusively seeks proposals that are primarily responsive to civil-space needs and use cases and not terrestrial and/or non-civil-space applications.

The solicitation exclusively seeks proposals that are responsive to the following topic: Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization Water Purification.

Only U.S. IHEs are eligible to submit proposals to this Appendix. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be either a tenured faculty member or an untenured faculty member on the tenure track from the proposing IHE. Teaming and collaboration are permitted, subject to the restrictions described in the solicitation.

The financial and programmatic support for ESI comes from the STRG Program within RTMD. Awards are planned to start in June 2027. NASA plans to make approximately 3 awards as a result of this ESI solicitation, subject to the receipt of meritorious proposals and the availability of funds. The actual number of awards will depend on the quality of the proposals received; NASA reserves the right to make no awards under this solicitation.

All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative. Proposals are being solicited via a two-step process where preliminary proposals are mandatory and only those invited may submit a full proposal. Mandatory preliminary proposals are due on or before August 13, 2026, 5 pm Eastern, and the target deadline for invited full proposals is December 16, 2026, 5 pm Eastern. Detailed submission instructions and due dates are provided in the solicitation. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.

Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by email to the Space Technology Research Grants Program Executive at hq-esi-call@mail.nasa.gov. Responses to inquiries will be answered by email and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: National Institutes of Health

Sponsor Type: Government/Federal

Address: 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892

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