To maximize receipt of innovative and unconventional project ideas, the ISS National Lab engages with researchers and organizations to discuss the best ways to match the unique benefits of space science with each entity’s R&D goals. Via this collaborative model for developing personalized projects, the ISS National Lab communicates the value of the ISS to new parties, assists in project development, vets high-quality proposals, and offers resulting initiatives support and coordination to succeed.
Click here for more information on specific support services provided by the ISS National Lab; and for specifics on proposal submission, click here.
1: Proposal Development
Prospective researchers can connect with the the ISS National Lab team, either through our business development outreach or the the ISS National Lab website, to discuss their idea. The the ISS National Lab team will engage with the prospective researcher to transition the idea into a formal project proposal for subject matter expert evaluation.
2A: Operations Review
The the ISS National Lab operations team performs a technical feasibility review of proposals to ensure the viability for flight, consulting as needed with NASA and outside technical experts. This review is an unscored, pass–fail initial screening.
2B: Scientific Review
For proposals requesting more the $100K from the ISS National Lab, a panel of subject matter experts, in the relevant focus area, evaluate proposals that pass operations review. Their evaluation will consider both the original proposal and any additional information provided by the operations team. The principal investigator may be contacted for clarifications or revisions.
2C: Value Assessment
Each proposal is evaluated for its potential economic, innovation, and social value and impact as well as its technical and commercialization feasibility. In addition, the proposing organization’s resource commitment, secured external funding, commercial endorsements, and funding requested from the ISS National Lab will be considered.
2D: Compliance Review
In parallel with economic review, the the ISS National Lab compliance team reviews projects, providing notes regarding data integrity, risk liability, ethics and research integrity, regulatory compliance, and conflicts of interest.
3: Prioritization and Award Determination
The the ISS National Lab executive council meets quarterly or on an ad hoc basis to review highly ranked projects. The council prioritizes projects for award of flight opportunity on the basis of scientific merit, potential economic value, educational opportunities, timeline and cost, and ability to diversify the ISS National Lab research portfolio.
4: Project Development, Integration, & Flight
Once a project has been selected for flight, the the ISS National Lab operations team works side-by-side with the principal investigator to best translate the proposal into a flight-ready payload and ensure necessary NASA requirements are met. the ISS National Lab has an extensive network of experienced service providers that also may assist in this process.
