Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR) Opportunites | 80HQTR21NOA01 21LUSTR B5

Opportunity Information: Apply for 80HQTR21NOA01 21LUSTR B5

NASA Headquarters released the Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR) Opportunities solicitation on July 22, 2021 as an appendix under the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement titled "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2021 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2021)." LuSTR sits within NASA's Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII) and is aimed squarely at speeding up the development of high-impact technologies that will make lunar surface operations more capable, safer, and more sustainable under the Artemis program. In practical terms, the intent is to fund university-led research that can feed into the sequence of Artemis missions, starting with near-term infrastructure needs and building toward a long-term human and robotic presence on the Moon.

Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. universities, with teaming allowed under the specific rules described in the solicitation. NASA also places participation limits on key personnel: a Principal Investigator (subject to the appendix's PI restrictions) or any Co-Investigator may be listed on no more than two proposals submitted to this LuSTR appendix. Consistent with broader agency goals around broadening participation, NASA explicitly encourages proposals submitted on behalf of women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities.

This appendix is narrowly focused on two LSII technical focus areas: Extreme Environments and Excavation and Construction. Within those focus areas, NASA is requesting proposals that directly address one or more of four specific topics: (1) Autonomous Systems for Excavation and Site Preparation, which aligns with the need to prepare landing sites, construct pads or berms, and handle regolith in ways that reduce astronaut risk and reliance on continuous ground control; (2) Lunar Regolith Mineral Beneficiation, which connects to extracting, concentrating, or processing useful materials from lunar soil for in situ resource utilization and construction-related supply chains; (3) Cold-Temperature Analog Integrated Circuits, reflecting the challenge of electronics that can operate reliably in the Moon's harsh thermal conditions, especially in cold regions where conventional components struggle; and (4) Novel Heat Transfer Fluids, which targets improved thermal management approaches for surface systems operating across extreme temperature swings. NASA notes that additional topics, potentially spanning other LSII focus areas, may appear in future releases of the appendix.

Funding for LuSTR comes through the Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) program within STMD, which is intended to cultivate innovative technologies for advanced space systems and help move them toward mission infusion. NASA planned awards to begin in May 2022 and anticipated making up to four awards under this specific solicitation. Typical total budgets were expected to fall between $1 million and $2 million per award (with an award ceiling of $2,000,000), depending on project scope. NASA also reserved discretion to make fewer than four awards, make no awards, or exceed four awards if meritorious proposals and available funds warranted it.

Administrative details are straightforward but strict. Proposals had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES or Grants.gov by an authorized organizational representative. A Notice of Intent was strongly encouraged and due August 20, 2021, while full proposals were due no later than September 17, 2021 at 5:00 pm Eastern. Applicants were advised to register in NSPIRES early, learn the submission system workflows ahead of time, and upload required materials well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. Questions and technical or programmatic comments were routed to hq-LuSTR@mail.nasa.gov, with answers provided by email and potentially added (without identifying the questioner) to the FAQ materials associated with the solicitation in NSPIRES.

For reference, the opportunity was published as a discretionary grant opportunity by NASA Headquarters, with CFDA number 43.012 and funding opportunity number 80HQTR21NOA01 (21LUSTR B5). The solicitation itself was accessed through NSPIRES by navigating to Solicitations, then Open, then "Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR) Opportunities."

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR) Opportunites" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 22, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 17, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for 80HQTR21NOA01 21LUSTR B5

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