NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)

NASA NIAC Phase II

Funds researchers and companies advancing early-stage space technology concepts through NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Phase II program.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

NASA NIAC Phase II is administered by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) under the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program. NIAC funds the study and development of ambitious early-stage space technology concepts that could one day dramatically change how NASA explores the universe. Phase II awards follow a successful Phase I study and allow awardees to mature and validate their concept further over a two-year period. Award amounts and total pool size are not stated on the source page; specific figures must be obtained from the NSPIRES solicitation. Applicants must have completed a NIAC Phase I award before applying to Phase II.

Eligibility and applicant types (for-profit companies, universities, research organizations, etc.) are not detailed on the NASA STMD solicitations overview page — full eligibility requirements are published in the NSPIRES solicitation. The program accepts a range of applicant types. Applications are submitted through NASA's NSPIRES portal.

For the 2026 cycle, the Notice of Intent was due May 18, 2026 and full proposals were due June 12, 2026. The current solicitation cycle is now closed. The next cycle has not yet been announced on the source page. NIAC Phase II is a recurring program that runs approximately annually. Researchers interested in applying should monitor NSPIRES for the next solicitation announcement.

Practical caveats: the source page is a high-level listing only and does not provide award amounts, detailed eligibility rules, or the NSPIRES solicitation URL. All definitive requirements must be confirmed against the NSPIRES posting before applying.