Simpler Grants.gov #NNH26ZTR001N-26STRI-B3

NASA research funding for Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine design capabilities

NASA is seeking university-led research proposals to advance future Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine design capabilities. - Government buyer: NASA Headquarters, through the Space Technology Research Grants Program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Research and Technology portfolio. - Opportunity: Space Technology Research Institutes (STRI26) appendix to Space Technology REDDI 2026; supports sustained, multidisciplinary research in low-technology-readiness space technologies. - Research focus: Enable future Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) designs that improve system-level performance over traditional chemical rocket engines under equivalent constraints. - Eligibility and team composition: Only U.S. institutions of higher education may lead proposals. The principal investigator must be faculty at the lead institution, and each team must include at least three U.S. institutions of higher education. Industry and nonprofit participation is permitted subject to solicitation restrictions. - Award and duration: NASA anticipates one award of up to $13 million for a maximum five-year effort; an award is not guaranteed. - OEMs and vendors: No required OEMs, manufacturers, or commercial vendors are identified. Proposals are submitted through NASA’s NSPIRES system. - Requested products or services: No product purchases or separately listed service line items are specified; the opportunity funds research proposals.

Description

NASA seeks proposals from U.S. institutions of higher education for IHE-led, multidisciplinary space-technology research at low Technology Readiness Levels. This appendix exclusively addresses enabling future Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) design capabilities, aiming to advance system-level performance beyond traditional chemical rocket engines under the same constraints. Teams must include at least three participating U.S. IHEs, and only U.S. IHEs are eligible to submit. NASA plans one award of up to $13 million over five years; preliminary proposals are due November 3, 2026, and full proposals are by invitation.

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