Astronomy & Telescopes

Pre-Proposal Workshop For HWO Instrument Concept Studies Solicitation

By Keith Cowing
Status Report
NASA
March 15, 2026
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Pre-Proposal Workshop For HWO Instrument Concept Studies Solicitation
Pre-Proposal Workshop For HWO Instrument Concept Studies Solicitation

Workshop Date/Time: May 4th-5th

Registration Opens: March 18th, 8AM Eastern

NASA plans to solicit proposals for carrying out U.S.-led HWO instrument concept studies in spring 2026. These proposals should result in the formation of teams executing science, engineering, and technology investigations to inform the HWO Technology Maturation Project Office (HTMPO) as it continues to develop the HWO mission concept.

NASA seeks innovative approaches from U.S.-based organizations that combine instrument capabilities (full instruments or subsystems) and/or ways to improve or simplify previously studied instrument designs.

In addition to U.S.-led efforts, this call plans to solicit proposals to support U.S.-based individuals participating in separate HWO instrument concept studies led by non-U.S. organizations.

FREE REGISTRATION

In support of this solicitation, HTMPO will host a hybrid pre-proposal workshop in Washington, DC, on May 4–5. This workshop will give potential proposers the opportunity to learn about the interests of other potential proposers and to begin forming teams as appropriate. HTMPO will also provide updates on topics such as driving science cases, current HTMPO instrument concepts, and ongoing technology development; these updates will be recorded and made publicly available after the workshop.

While in-person attendance will be limited by the venue size and offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, online attendance will be open. Registration is free, but required, for both in-person and online attendance.

For questions, please reach out to the HWO Program Scientist, Megan Ansdell (megan.c.ansdell-at-nasa.gov).

Astrobiology, Astronomy,

Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Station Payload manager/space biologist, Away Teams, Journalist, Lapsed climber, Synaesthete, Na’Vi-Jedi-Freman-Buddhist-mix, ASL, Devon Island and Everest Base Camp veteran, (he/him) 🖖🏻