Funding for Events
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). TWSC became a separate or stand-alone notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) in October 2023. SMD 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 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 SMD related 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/. 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”.
Before contacting SMD, please review NASA’s GSS implementation plan at https://www.nasa.gov/general/gss/. Please also review NASA’s “Golden Age of Science initiatives” (GASI) announced October 8, 2026 at https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-announces-bold-science-initiatives-for-americas-golden-age-summit/.
If you have questions about an active TWSC award, then please contact the technical officer listed on the cover page of the award notice issued by the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC). If can’t reach the named SMD technical officer; can’t find your TWSC award documentation; or otherwise need help with an award, then please visit the NSSC’s online help request template (no emails) at https://www.nasa.gov/forms/general-information-request/.
When news becomes available regarding competitive funding for research events, that information will be added to this page.
For general questions, including comments about this page, please email: mary.f.sladek@nasa.gov.
Explore More
