Funding for Events
For more than a decade, the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD’s) research programs in Astrophysics, Biological and Physical Science, Citizen Science, Earth Science, Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office, Heliophysics, Open Science, Planetary Science, and Science Engagement have reviewed and funded proposals that requested support for research events such as topical workshops, symposiums, and conferences or “TWSC”.
Initially, TWSC was a program element appendix or “program” within the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) omnibus. TWSC became a separate or stand-alone notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) in October 2023. SMD is closing (or has closed) permanently the Topical Workshops, Symposiums, and Conferences (TWSC-24) in Space and Earth Sciences and Technology Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): NNH24ZDA002N in late January 2026. SMD has no plans to reopen TWSC-24 nor issue a new TWSC NOFO on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) or Grants.gov.
SMD may still fund some events 1) via a current or forthcoming ROSES competitive program element that specifies the eligibility of proposals for workshops, symposiums, conferences and the like; or 2) via a non-competitive, invitation-only single source NSPIRES submitted proposal. All event-oriented research proposals must comply with 1) NASA’s implementation of Executive Order (EO)14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science(GSS); and 2) the most recent NASA Office of Procurement (NOP) Presidential Executive Order Guidance at https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-global-contractor-and-grantee-community-memos/.
Before contacting SMD, please review NASA’s GSS implementation plan at https://www.nasa.gov/general/gss/. See also, for example, NOP’s January 23, 2025 memorandum regarding EO “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” and the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) memo “Initial Guidance Regarding DEIA Executive Orders.” Per OP’s January 23rd memo, “NASA grant and cooperative agreement recipients shall immediately cease and desist all DEIA activities required for their award. This work may include but is not limited to: DEIA plan requirements, training, workshops, reporting, considerations for staffing, or any other direct or indirect grant activity related to DEIA”.
If you have questions about an active TWSC award or a pending TWSC proposal in NSPIRES, identify and email the current, relevant TWSC contact listed on the SMD “Program Officers List”, scroll down to look for the section “Cross Division Programs” at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list/. These legacy TWSC contacts may suggest avenues available now or forthcoming for proposing for event funding.
When news becomes available regarding competitive funding for research events, that information will be added to this page.
For other TWSC or event funding questions, including comments about this page, please email: mary.f.sladek@nasa.gov.
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