NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate logo
Funder · Federal agency

NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate

Funds space technology development that advances exploration systems, missions, and commercial aerospace capabilities.

United Stateswww.nasa.gov
Key stats
Annual funding—
Programs9
Active grants2
Total grants9
About

NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is a directorate within NASA, not a separate agency. It funds technology development that can move from lab work into mission use, with a portfolio built around NIAC, Flight Opportunities, Tipping Point, ACO, ESI, NSTGRO, and the Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative.

Its main competitive vehicle is the SpaceTech-REDDI umbrella announcement, open a…

Programs & grants under this funder
NASA Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)

Runs Unfunded Space Act Agreements giving companies access to NASA facilities expertise through the NASA Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity.

1 grant
NASA Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)
Open
— pool·Rolling submission
Early Stage Innovations (ESI)

Provides innovative organizations in United States to build innovation work toward measurable commercialization outcomes.

NASA Flight Opportunities Program

Backs innovative organizations in United States to connect innovation teams to commercialization pathways and real buyers.

Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII)

Helps Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative for technologies enabling long-duration lunar surface missions under Artemis.

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)

Connects innovative organizations in United States by guiding innovation from prototype work to stronger buyer demand.

NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO)

Helps NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities for universities with NASA center residencies.

NASA SBIR Phase I

Funds U.S. small businesses conducting early-stage R&D to establish the feasibility of innovations aligned with NASA mission priorities.

5 grants
NASA Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program
Between cycles
$11.3M pool
NASA SBIR Phase I
Closed
— pool
NASA SBIR Phase II
Between cycles
— pool
NASA STTR Phase I
Closed
— pool
NASA STTR Phase II
Between cycles
— pool
NASA TechLeap Prize

Funds teams demonstrating space technology advances through prize competitions managed by NASA STMD.

1 grant
TechLeap Prize: Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge
Open
— pool
NASA Tipping Point

Invests Funded Space Act Agreements to mature commercial space technologies through demonstration through the NASA Tipping Point.

Other opportunities

Recorded for this funder but not yet grouped under a program — including past or closed rounds we keep for the registry.

NASA SBIR Ignite Phase I
Closed
— pool
NASA SBIR Ignite Phase II
Discontinued
— pool
Parent entityNational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Last verified: 1 Jun 2026Source: www.nasa.gov