What's Happening?
NASA has announced an amendment to its Heliophysics Foundational Research (HFR) program, which is part of the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025. The amendment, known as Amendment 47, introduces two key corrections to the proposal
guidelines. Firstly, the length of the Step-1 Proposal in Section 3.3.1 has been extended from two pages to three. Secondly, the budget numbers provided in the summary table are clarified to be per award, per year, rather than the total budget for all new awards in the Solar System Exploration (SST) program. This amendment aims to enhance the understanding of the Sun-Heliosphere-Planetary system by focusing on the fundamental physical processes that govern heliophysical phenomena. The updated guidelines will be available on the NASA research opportunity homepage.
Why It's Important?
This amendment is significant as it directly impacts researchers and institutions involved in heliophysics research. By clarifying the proposal length and budget allocations, NASA ensures that applicants have a clear understanding of the requirements, which can lead to more comprehensive and competitive proposals. This, in turn, can enhance the quality of research funded by NASA, contributing to advancements in understanding the interactions between the Sun and planetary environments. Such research is crucial for predicting space weather events that can affect satellite operations, communication systems, and even power grids on Earth.
What's Next?
Researchers interested in submitting proposals to the HFR program will need to adjust their submissions according to the new guidelines. This may involve revising proposal documents to meet the extended page limit and recalculating budget plans based on the clarified financial guidelines. As the amendment is set to be posted on February 11, 2026, potential applicants should review the updated information promptly to ensure compliance with the new requirements. NASA may also host informational sessions or provide additional resources to assist researchers in adapting to these changes.
