[NASA]. The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a large-aperture ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared observatory concept recommended by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine decadal survey, “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” (Astro2020).
3 September 2026 UPDATE ROSES-25 Amendment 73: D.9 Habitable Worlds Observatory Instrument Concept Assessments: Correction regarding collaborators on category 2 proposals
Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Instrument Concept Assessments (HWO-ICA) program element D.9 of ROSES-25, solicits proposals to support maturation of the HWO mission concept. The objective of HWO-ICA is to expand and deepen exploration of the HWO instrument trade space by developing and/or analyzing innovative instrument concepts and their scientific opportunity and performance, engineering feasibility and footprint, technology maturity and gaps, and associated risks.
ROSES-2025 Amendment 73 makes a correction to Section 3.3.2 of D.9 Habitable Worlds Observatory Instrument Concept Assessments (HWO-ICA) regarding collaborators on category 2 proposals. New text is in bold. The due date remains unchanged: Proposals are due by October 14, 2026.
Also, the FAQ (posted under other documents on NSPIRES page for this program element) has been updated. NASA will accept questions up until September 18, 2026.
On or about September 3, 2026, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025” (NNH25ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025 and will appear on SARA’s ROSES blog at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2025/
Questions concerning D.9 HWO-ICA may be directed to Megan Ansdell at Megan.C.Ansdell@nasa.gov.
28 Aug 2026 UPDATE: Correction to ROSES-25 D.8 Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations
Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations (HWO-PSI) program element D.8 of ROSES-25 aims to advance the scientific foundation that would reduce risk for a potential future HWO mission. This email announces a correction to D.8 HWO-PSI: The Open Science and Data Management Plan was added to Table D.8-1 “Parts of the Anonymized Technical Proposal” in Section 3.4. New text is in bold. The due dates remain unchanged: Mandatory NOIs are due by September 10, 2026, and proposals are due by October 26, 2026. Proposals submitted to this program will be evaluated using dual anonymous peer review. Questions concerning D.8 HWO-PSI may be directed to Megan Ansdell at Megan.C.Ansdell@nasa.gov.
The HWO mission concept would be the first space mission designed specifically to search for life outside our solar system and would be capable of performing transformative science across astrophysics, areas of planetary science, and more. Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations (HWO-PSI) program element D.8 of ROSES aims to advance the scientific foundation that would reduce risk for a potential future HWO mission.
ROSES-2025 Amendment 68 releases D.8 Habitable Worlds Observatory Precursor Science Investigations (HWO-PSI) as a new opportunity in ROSES-25. Mandatory NOIs are due by September 10, 2026, and proposals are due by October 26, 2026. Proposals submitted to this program will be evaluated using dual anonymous peer review.
On or about July 27, 2026, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025” (NNH25ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at https://solicitation.nasaprs.com/ROSES2025 and will appear on SARA’s ROSES blog at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2025/
Questions concerning D.8 HWO-PSI may be directed to Megan Ansdell at Megan.C.Ansdell@nasa.gov.
