Our Solicitations

We are focused on creating cutting edge technologies that enable future Earth science research. Through an open, peer-review solicitation process, we’ve funded over 800 projects led by investigators from more than 100 institutions. Our projects aim to revolutionize how scientists study Earth and sometimes make it to the Moon and other planets.

FireSense, AIST, and IIP Solicitations are Currently Open

Our Process

Step 1 // Solicitation is released. 

We release solicitations through NASA’s NSPIRES system in one of seven distinct categories:

  • Components
  • Instruments
  • Information Systems
  • Validation of Technology in Space
  • Sustainable Landsat Technologies
  • Technologies to Study Surface Topography & Vegetation and Planetary Boundary Layer
  • Technology Development for Support of Wildfire Science and Disaster Mitigation

Background image of project planning

Scroll down to the solicitations table below to see what’s open. If you’ve got an idea for a proposal but the relevant solicitation isn’t open yet, sign up for alerts at the bottom of the page – we’ll let you know when it opens.

Step 2 // Proposals are reviewed.

Once the call for solicitations closes, we assemble a team of subject-matter-experts to review and analyze each proposal

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 for relevance, merit and cost effectiveness. 

For more information on general criteria and the peer review process, please review the following resources:

Step 3 // Projects are awarded.

And the work begins!

Each new principal investigator (PI) will be assigned an ESTO task manager who will provide guidance and support throughout the duration of the project. PIs report on the progress of their work quarterly and annually, and ESTO hosts an annual conference to share our work with the broader community.

Not sure which Technology Readiness Level (TRL) fits your project?

This NASA Procedural Requirements chart is here to help.

View Chart

Funding Lines

ESTO’s primary activity is building new technologies. Through open solicitations, we fund projects that have potential for substantially advancing the needs of the Earth science community as laid out in the 2017 Earth Science Decadal Survey. Our principal investigators (PIs) design and develop new components, instruments and information systems for the next generation of science measurements.

DOWNLOAD OUR SOLICITATION CALENDAR

Advanced Component Technologies (ACT)
Next Open Solicitations: Q2 2025, Q2 2028

  • Focus: Component Development
  • TRL Entry: 2-3 // TRL Exit: 3-4
  • Average Funding (per year): $400k
  • Duration (years): 3

For more information, visit the ACT program page.

Instrument Incubator Program (IIP)
IIP-23 Solicitation is Open
Next Open Solicitations: Q3 2027. Each IIP solicitation has two main focus areas:
IIP – Instrument Concept Demonstration (IIP-ICD)

  • TRL Entry: 1-2 // TRL Exit: 2-3
  • Average Funding (per year): $500k
  • Duration (years): 1.5

IIP – Instrument Development & Demonstration (IIP-IDD)

  • TRL Entry: 2-3 // TRL Exit: 4-5
  • Average Funding (per year): $1.5M
  • Duration (years): 3

For more information, visit the IIP program page.

Advanced Information Systems Technology (AIST)
AIST-23 Solicitation Is Open
Next Open Solicitations: Q1 2024, Q4 2026.

  • Focus: Data Analysis and Modeling // Space System Architecture and Management
  • TRL Entry: 2-4 // TRL Exit: 5-6
  • Average Funding (per year): $650k
  • Duration (years): 2

For more information, visit the AIST program page.

In-Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies (InVEST)
Next Open Solicitation:  Q1 2026

  • Focus: Validation in Space
  • TRL Entry: 5-6 // TRL Exit: 9
  • Average Funding (per year): $2M
  • Duration (years): 3

For more information, visit the InVEST program page.

Sustainable Land Imaging – Technology (SLI-T)
The SLI-T 2022 solicitation has been withdrawn.
Next Open Solicitations: TBD 2024, Q1 2027. Each SLI-T solicitation has two main focus areas:
SLI-T – Advanced Technology Demonstrations (SLI-T ATD)

  • Focus: Advanced Prototypes/Instrument Development for near-term LandSat
  • TRL Entry: 3-5 // TRL Exit: 6+
  • Average Funding (per year): $1.4M (previous solicitations)
  • Duration (years): 5

SLI-T – Technology Investments (SLI-T TI)

  • Focus: Component/Instrument Development for future LandSat
  • TRL Entry: 2-3 // TRL Exit: 5
  • Average Funding (per year): $300k
  • Duration (years): 3

For more information, visit the SLI-T program page.

Decadal Survey Incubation (DSI)
Next Open Solicitations: Q3 2024, Q2 2027.

The Decadal Survey Incubation (DSI) program explores and develops new technologies to help define the Planetary Boundary Layer and Surface Topography and Vegetation study areas defined by the National Academies of Science.

Fore more information, visit the DSI program page.

Technology Development for Support of Wildfire Science, Management, and Disaster Mitigation
FIRESENSE SOLICITATION IS OPEN
The FireSense Technology solicitation is ongoing and updates with each ROSES release. For more information, visit the FireSense Technology program page.

ESTO Solicitations

SolicitationLink To SolicitationLink To Award
IIP ROSES 2023Solicitation Open-
AIST ROSES 2023Solicitation Open-
FireSense ROSES 2023Solicitation Open-
InVEST ROSES 2023Solicitation Closed-
SLI-T ROSES 2022Solicitation Withdrawn-
FireSense ROSES 2022Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2022Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
DSI ROSES 2021Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
AIST ROSES 2021Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
IIP ROSES 2021Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
InVEST ROSES 2020Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2020Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
SLI-T ROSES 2019Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
IIP ROSES 2019Solicitation (link)

+ 5/15 Bidder's Conference presentation (PDF)
Awarded Projects
AIST ROSES 2018Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
InVEST ROSES 2017Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2017Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
AIST ROSES 2016Solicitation (link)

+ Preproposal Virtual Bidders' Conference
Awarded Projects
IIP ROSES 2016Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
SLI-T ROSES 2015Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
InVEST ROSES 2015Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
AIST ROSES 2014Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2013Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
IIP ROSES 2013Solicitation (link)

Preproposal Bidders' Conference Q&A (PDF)
Awarded Projects
InVEST ROSES 2012Solicitation (250 K PDF)Awarded Projects
AITT ROSES 2012Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
Space Validation RFISolicitation (link)[not applicable]
AIST ROSES 2011Solicitation (135 K PDF)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2010Solicitation (90 K PDF)Awarded Projects
IIP ROSES 2010Solicitation (144 K PDFAwarded Projects
AITT ROSES 2009Solicitation (link)Awarded Projects
AIST ROSES 2008Solicitation (112 K PDF)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2008Solicitation (100 K PDF)Awarded Projects
IIP ROSES 2007Solicitation (156 K PDF)Awarded Projects
AIST ROSES 2005Solicitation (432 K PDF)Awarded Projects
ACT ROSES 2005Solicitation (168 K PDF)Awarded Projects
IIP NRA 2004Solicitation (820 K PDF)Awarded Projects
AIST Master NRA 2004Solicitation (177 K PDF)
Mini-Solicitation NNG04ZY4001N (51 K PDF)
[not applicable]
Awarded Projects
ACT NRA 2002Solicitation (176 K PDF)Awarded Projects
AIST NRA 2002Solicitation (998 K PDF)Awarded Projects
IIP NRA 2002Solicitation (282 K PDF)Awarded Projects
IIP NRA 2001Solicitation (940 K PDF)Awarded Projects
AIST NRA 1999Solicitation (227 K PDF)Awarded Projects
ATI NRA 1999Solicitation (160 K PDF)Awarded Projects
IIP NRA 1998Solicitation (166 K PDF)Awarded Projects