Request for Proposals (RFP)

The NASA Ames Research Center Office of the Center Chief Technologist (CCT) is pleased to announce the FY26 Center Innovation Fund (CIF) Request for Proposals (RFP). The purpose of the CIF is to stimulate and encourage creativity, innovation and collaboration within Ames, and between Ames and other NASA Centers in addressing the technology needs of NASA and the Nation. It is intended for exploratory investigations that offer breakthrough technologies. The ideas supported must align with Center priorities and leverage Center capabilities, but they do not necessarily need to correspond to the Centers Core Competencies. CIF proposals must be technologically oriented and may be viewed as ‘seedlings’ that will enable the next generation technology and exploration. The target technology readiness level (TRL) is 1-3. It is incumbent upon the proposer to demonstrate clearly the true innovation of the proposed project compared with existing state-of-the-art, and to demonstrate how the proposal supports Agency objectives and Center priorities.

Eligibility and Guidelines

Only Ames civil servants can serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) and submit proposals. However, partnerships are encouraged with on-site contractors and other external organizations that take advantage of mutual interests and capabilities as well as leveraged funding.

Award Amount

The FY26 CIF award guideline is up to $125,000 for one year. This includes both civil servant labor (equivalent $) and procurement (including contract labor). However, requests outside these guidelines may be considered. No funds are available for travel. No more than 30% of the total funding should be used to fund non-Ames’ contractors. Decisions regarding awards will be based on availability of funds.

Award Duration

All CIF awards are for a single year only, and the planned work is to be completed during FY26. All funding must be obligated by September 30, 2026. Proposals for continuation awards (i.e., for projects that received a CIF award from a prior year) may be submitted. However, these are reviewed as new proposals and must have demonstrated progress in the previous award and still meet the exploratory and breakthrough criteria.

Inter-Center Collaboration and Notice of Intent (NOI) to Propose

This year, proposals demonstrating strong cross-center collaboration(s) will receive additional consideration. If you have an existing partnership with another NASA center or seek support in establishing one, you are strongly encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose to the CCT Office.

The Ames CCT will use NOI submissions to coordinate with the Agency Center Chief Technology Council (CTC) in identifying and facilitating potential partnerships.

While submitting an NOI is not required, it is highly encouraged, as it helps the Ames CCT Office plan for appropriate Subject Matter Experts for the CIF review.

To submit a NOI, send an email with the following information:

1. PI name and Ames organization code
2. Anticipated proposal title
3. NASA Taxonomy alignment to level 2 (see: NASA 2024 Technology Taxonomy)
4. * Potential NASA center partner; co-investigator’s name and role on project

* If you do not have an established or anticipated partnership and need support in forming one, or if you do not intend to partner with any other center, please state that in the NOI response.

All NOIs must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on April 25, 2025, with the email subject line “CIF26_NOI_PI Last Name” via email to:ARC-CCT@mail.nasa.gov

STMD Strategic Framework

The STMD Strategic Framework (https://techport.nasa.gov/framework) outlines high-priority capability gaps to guide technology selections. While CIF proposals are not strictly required to align with these gap recommendations, they offer valuable insight into STMD’s technology interests and potential opportunities for growth or follow-on activities.

Management Approval

Proposers must inform their management about their CIF proposals to ensure labor resources are available. This step is essential for securing the necessary support to meet project deadlines if selected.

Technical Equipment Requirements and Dependencies

To enhance coordination and streamline decision-making on technical equipment investments, proposals requesting more than $2K for technical equipment must justify why the investment is both unique and essential to the proposed effort. Additionally, proposals should identify any existing projects, tasks, or efforts at the Center that rely on this acquisition.

If the proposal requires the use of existing specialized or general-purpose technical equipment that may be in high demand, specify this dependency along with the timeframe and duration for which the equipment is needed.

Proposal Preparation and Submission

All FY26 CIF proposers must submit the following TWO documents in PDF format to be considered for award:

1. Proposal (5 pages max, in a single PDF document):
   • Cover Page (1-page)
   • Proposal Body (3 – 3.5 pages max)
   • Budget (0.5 – 1 page)
   • References (not included in page count)
   • References (not included in page count)
2. Summary chart (1-page; in a single PDF document

Proposals and charts must adhere to the file naming scheme:

CIF26_ PI Last Name_≤ 25CharacterProposalName

e.g., CIF26_Bond_ThisIsMyProposalTitle.pdf

e.g., CIF26_Bond_ThisIsMyProposalTitle_Chart.pdf

All proposal material must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on June 25, 2025, with the email subject line “CIF26_PI Last Name” via email to:

ARC-CCT@mail.nasa.gov

A confirmation of receipt will be sent via email upon successful submission of your proposal materials within three business days. The written proposal and summary chart must be submitted in separate PDF-format files. All optional references and LOCs must be included in the Proposal PDF (please do not submit multiple documents for the proposal material). A proposal will be deemed non-compliant and not considered for award if any requirement set in this RFP or the guidelines within the proposal template is not met.

Written Proposals

All FY26 CIF proposers are required to submit a proposal that provides the following information: 1) the objectives of the proposed work; 2) the technical implementation, or details describing how the objectives will be met; 3) a description of how the work to be performed is innovative and enhances the state-of-the-art; 4) a statement of the TRL advancement anticipated by the work; 5) a list of external partners; 6) a list of planned deliverables, including analysis, tests, hardware, software, etc.; and 7) the resources required to complete the work. In addition, for projects seeking follow-on funding from a previous year’s CIF award, justification for addition funding, including evidence of accomplishments from the initial award, must be demonstrated in the proposal. See information about the template below. Once a proposal is submitted, the concept and all submitted information are considered the Intellectual Property of the submitting PI.

Proposal Templates

Use of the templates is mandatory. Templates for the written proposal and the summary chart can be found at:

 

FY26 CIF Proposal Template Download

FY26 CIF Summary Chart Download

RFP Questions & Answers

Questions and answers (Q&A) regarding the FY26 CIF RFP will be posted on the Ames CCT CIF website and updated periodically as new questions are received. If you do not receive a direct response to your question via email, you are encouraged to check the Q&A section on the website within three business days for a response:

FY26 CIF RFP Questions & Answers

Questions can be sent until May 30, 2025 to: ARC-CCT@mail.nasa.gov

Selection Criteria FY26 CIF

CIF proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1) innovation; 2) technical merit and soundness of the approach; 3) effective resource planning and utilization; 4) strategic relevance and value to Ames and NASA; and 5) future funding prospects. The Ames Research and Technology Council (ARTC) will evaluate all submitted proposals that meet the above criteria, and summarized here:

1. Innovation: Does the proposal put forth an innovative concept or technology development effort with clearly stated objectives? How does it compare to the state-of-the-art?
2. Strategic Relevance: Do the stated objectives support Center priorities or uniquely contribute to otherwise unmet Agency or National needs?
3. Technical Merit: Does the proposal put forth a technically sound development plan that meets the stated objectives?
4. Effective Resource Planning and Utilization: Does the proposal put forth a realistic and coherent funding plan that is linked to the development plan? Is the proposal team experienced? Is there realism in the stated cost and facilities usage?
5. Future Funding:  Does the proposals clearly state future funding prospects once the proposal objectives have been met?

Reporting Requirements

Principal Investigators with successful CIF proposals will be required to:

1. Conduct an oral mid-term progress review as available (often in-lab);
2. Brief results at the Ames Research and Technology Showcase (Fall 2026);
3. Submit a written Final Report (late Fall to Winter 2026);
4. Submit an Executive Summary (<100 words) and image/graph of your results;
5. Validate twice annually CIF data to the Agency’s Technology Portal (TechPort).

Both the mid-term progress review and final report must include a resource expenditure report. A template for the final report will be available to the PIs in late Summer 2026. In addition to the final report, a 100-word Executive Summary (ES) and corresponding image highlighting your results are required after your work is complete. Depending on project outcomes, 1-2 FY26 CIF projects will be featured in the Ames FY26 CIF Annual Report and highlighted at the Agency Chief Technology Council meeting.

All CIF data are entered into the Agency’s Technology Portal (TechPort). Each awarded project will be validated and updated in TechPort twice annually by the PI, and the final project data must be updated according to the schedule below. The Agency TechPort website can be accessed at: https://techport.nasa.gov/dashboards.

CIF Development Schedule and Deadlines

The projected schedule for the FY26 CIF is provided here. Any changes to this schedule will be reflected on the CCT webpage. Please check the CCT webpage periodically for any updates.

Calendar Year 2025 Activities

March 14	Request For Proposals (RFP) issued (target)
April 25	Notice of Intent (NOI) Due (optional)
May 30	Last day to submit questions to the RFP Q&A
June 25	Proposal and summary chart due, 5:00 p.m. (PST)
Early to Mid-Aug	HQ CIF Confirmation Review (target)
Late Aug	Notification of award (target)
October 1	Start date and release of available award funds (target)
October 31	Deadline for PI to validate CIF data in TechPort

Calendar Year 2026 Activities

April/May	In-lab/office mid-term progress reviews, as available (target)
October	Brief results at Ames Research and Technology Showcase (target)
December 30	Final Report due, 5:00 p.m. (PST) (target)
December 30	Executive Summary due, 5:00 p.m. (PST) (target)
December 30	Deadline for PI to validate CIF data in TechPort

Ames CIF Program Contact Information

Questions regarding the Ames CIF Program should be directed to Jill Bauman at jill.bauman@nasa.gov