ROSES25: D.6 Astrophysics Research and Analysis

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program (APRA) solicits basic research proposals for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics and includes research over the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. Awards may be for up to four years’ duration (up to five years for suborbital and CubeSat investigations), but shorter-term proposals are typical; four-year or five-year proposals must be well justified. APRA investigations may advance technologies anywhere along the full line of readiness levels, from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1 through TRL 9. The TRL definitions are articulated in detail in NASA Systems Engineering Processes and Requirement (NPR) 7123.1D Appendix E https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?t=NPR&c=7123&s=1D (updated on July 5, 2023). The emphasis of this program element is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals. For the long-term future, these missions and goals will be guided based on the recommendations of the 2020 Decadal Survey Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s, which identifies the most compelling science goals and presents an ambitious program of space-based activities for NASA investment. This program is consistent with the Gold Standard Science initiative outlined in Executive Order 14303. It requires that all research activity is conducted in an open and accessible manner, all results be peer-reviewed, and estimates of error be presented for all measured quantities.