ISS National Laboratory

Home / Research on the ISS

Current and Upcoming Opportunities

NASA astronaut and Expedition 64 Flight Engineer Victor Glover performs a sample exchange in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) as part of the Fiber Optic Production (FOP) experiment. FOP produces fiber optic cable in microgravity from a blend of elements called ZBLAN. Previous research suggests optical fibers produced in microgravity should exhibit superior qualities to those produced on Earth.

Media Credit: Image courtesy of NASA

NLRA 2023-6: In-space Production Applications: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

NLRA open period: 02/13/2023 – 7/20/2023

The purpose of this ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA) is to solicit proposals for applied research and development seeking to demonstrate space-based manufacturing and production activities in microgravity. Flight projects selected via this research announcement may be awarded funding to support development and mission integration and operations for projects that will be implemented on the ISS.

CASIS, in coordination with NASA, has identified multiple ISS National Lab lines of business that support strategic priorities and programmatic focus areas aimed at bringing value to our nation and enabling a robust and scalable market in low Earth orbit. For the in-space production applications line of business, research concepts are desired for which space-based testing can uniquely enable technical solutions to known science and engineering challenges and the creation of new products and business opportunities. The objective is to use the unique ISS environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that have a demonstrated potential to produce near-term, positive direct or indirect economic impact.

This research announcement will follow a two-step proposal submission process. Before being invited to submit a full proposal, all interested investigators must first complete and submit for review a Step 1: Concept Summary.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here to view frequently asked questions regarding NLRA 2023-6.

WEBINAR

  • Step 1.1: Download NLRA 2023-6 and Required Step 1 Forms

      • The deadline for submissions has passed

    Download Step 1 Forms

  • Step 1.2: Concept Summary Submission

    Upload your Step 1: Concept Summary by pressing the “Click to Submit” button below. Please convert your document to a PDF prior to uploading.

    Click to Submit

  • Step 2.1: Download Step 2 Required Forms (Invitation Only)

    CASIS will notify all offerors of the review results of their Step 1 Concept Summary.

    Download Step 2 Forms

    Full proposal development periods for Invited Step 2 Full Proposals

    • The deadline for submissions has passed

  • Step 2.2: Full Proposal Submission

    If you were invited to submit a Step 2: Full Proposal, upload your submission by pressing the “Click to Submit” button below. Please convert your document to a PDF prior to uploading.

    Click to Submit

Thank you for your interest in conducting research leveraging the ISS National Lab! For questions regarding this research announcement, please contact [email protected] and reference NLRA 2023-6 in the subject line.

** Please verify that none of the information submitted is subject to the export control laws of the United States, such as the EAR or the ITAR; if any information is subject to such laws, please mark all pages containing such information and identify the appropriate export control jurisdiction and classification. **

Additional Resources

      ISS National Lab Best Practices

      • "Turning the Past Decade of Lessons Learned on ISS into Best Practices for the Next Decade" (slides presented at the 2022 ISS Research and Development Conference)

        Please fill out the form below to access a free slide presentation, "Turning the Past Decade of Lessons Learned on ISS into Best Practices for the Next Decade"

        Would you like to receive communications related to ISS Research & Development and other space-based research activities?

      ISS National Laboratory web resources:

      NASA PDF resources:

      Menu

      ISS National Laboratory a NASA Partner

      ISS National Laboratory® is a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), used with permission. The ISS National Laboratory® is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. under Cooperative Agreement with NASA. NASA Partner logo is used with permission. © 2011-2024 The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS), a 501 (c)(3) Corporation.