NASA’s Priorities
I. NASA Mission Directorates
NASA’s Mission to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research, draws support from five Mission Directorates, each with a specific responsibility.
- Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD): Research conducted by ARMD directly benefits today’s air transportation system, the aviation industry, and the passengers and businesses who rely on aviation every day. ARMD scientists, engineers, programmers, test pilots, facilities managers and strategic planners are focused on aviation’s future. They design, develop and test advanced technologies that will make aviation much more environmentally friendly, maintain safety in more crowded skies, and ultimately transform the way we fly. NASA’s aeronautics research is primarily conducted at four NASA centers: Ames Research Center and Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Glenn Research Center in Ohio, and Langley Research Center in Virginia (https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/))
- The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is an organization where discoveries in one scientific discipline have a direct route to other areas of study. This flow is something extremely valuable and is rare in the scientific world. NASA Science missions circle the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, and many other destinations within our Solar System, including spacecraft that look out even further into our universe. (https://science.nasa.gov/)
- The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate defines and manages systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and planning for NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach. ESDMD manages the human exploration system development for lunar orbital, lunar surface, and Mars exploration. (https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/exploration-systems-development
- The Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the heart of NASA’s humans space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support. https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations-mission-directorate
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Technology drives exploration and the space economy. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) aims to transform future missions while ensuring American leadership in aerospace. STMD develops, demonstrates, and transfers new space technologies that benefit NASA, commercial, and other government missions. https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/
Please visit each NASA organization website to find detailed information about current projects and current areas of interest
II NASA Research Areas of Interest
NASA research priorities are defined by the Mission Directorates—Aeronautics Research, Science, Human Exploration and Operations, and Space Technology. Each Mission Directorate covers a major area of the Agency’s research and technology development efforts. Research priorities for each of the Mission Directorates can be found at the following locations:
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)
Researchers responding to the ARMD should propose research that is aligned with one or more of the ARMD programs. Proposers are directed to the following:
- ARMD Programs: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/armd-solicitations/
Science Mission Directorate (SMD)
Detailed information on SMD research priorities is available at the following URLs:
- NASA Science Strategy: https://science.nasa.gov/about-us/science-strategy/
- Web pages for scientists and engineers who plan to propose or have submitted a proposal to a research solicitation from the Science Mission Directorate. https://science.nasa.gov/researchers
- Funding Opportunities: Grant Solicitations https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations
Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate
Please note that NASA has organized its Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two areas: Exploration Systems Development (https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/exploration-systems-development) and Space Operations (https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations-mission-directorate).
For exploration Systems Development programs, please go to https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/exploration-systems-development and scroll down to ESDMD Programs.
For Space Operations programs, please go to https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations-mission-directorate and scroll down to Areas of Focus.
Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
For the Space Technology programs, please go to
https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/ and click on “Program and Initiatives”.
III. NASA’s Technology Transfer Program
NASA’s Technology Transfer Program ensures that innovations developed for exploration and discovery are broadly available to the public, maximizing the benefit to the Nation.