The period for submitting presentations has passed
Application Process
The Sustainability Challenge application process includes the following submission steps:
- Step 1a: Concept form for review. A subset of applicants with the most promising concepts will then be invited to submit a presentation and pre-recorded “pitch” video (Step 1b). STEP 1a is now closed.
- Step 1b: Presentation and pre-recorded pitch video (by invitation only) describing the concept in more detail. A group of finalists will be chosen, and each finalist will be invited to participate in question and answer (Q&A) call (Step 1c). STEP 1b is now closed.
- Step 1c: Q&A call with the Sustainability Challenge expert judges (by invitation only), who will score and rank all finalists. STEP 1c is now closed.
- Step 2: Full Proposals from finalists (by invitation only).
CASIS held a virtual event on March 25, 2022, that featured finalists’ recorded presentations and exciting guest speakers and culminated in a ceremony that recognized the top-ranked finalists. The event was livestreamed to a global audience. All finalists have been invited to submit a Full Proposal for a flight project leveraging the ISS National Lab. The Final Determination for the selected team to be awarded a flight project will be announced at the 2022 ISS Research and Development Conference, July 25-28 in Washington, D.C.
See FAQs here.
View the Sustainability Challenges Guidelines document that provides full details about the Sustainability Challenge and the submission process steps.
Webinars
The ISS National Lab hosted two informational webinars for this Sustainability Challenge. A recording of the webinars as well as the March 25 virtual event are available here.
November 10, 2021 - Overview & Topic Areas
This webinar reviewed the objectives of the Sustainability Challenge, dove deeper into the science topic areas, and answered questions from potential applicants.
November 17, 2021 - Submissions & Evaluation
This webinar provided an overview of the submissions process, reviewed the items applicants will need to submit for each step in the process, and answered questions from potential applicants.
March 25, 2022 - Virtual Event
Held virtually and livestreamed to a global audience over Zoom, the event included finalists’ recorded presentations, exciting guest speakers, and culminated with a ceremony to recognize the top three ranked finalists.
Apply
Step 1a: Concept – Due by end of day on December 6, 2021
Upload Concept Form Submission
Step 1b: Presentation – (by invitation only) due by 11:59 p.m. PST February 14, 2022
DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION INSTRUCTIONS AND TEMPLATE
Upload Presentation Video and Slides
When submitting your presentation, please combine (zip) all files and upload a single zipped file where indicated on the solicitation website.
Step 1c: Q&A – (by invitation only) March 7-9, 2022
Sustainability Challenge Event – March 25, 2022
Step 2: Full Proposals Submission
If you were invited to submit a Step2: Full Proposal, upload your submission by pressing the “Click to Submit” button below. Please convert your document to a PDF prior to uploading.
Full Proposals (from those invited to submit) due by end of day May 9, 2022
Timeline
Below is a timeline that shows the key steps and dates for the Sustainability Challenge.

Click here for large view
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