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Current and On-going Solicitations
The Translational Research Institute for Space Health offers multiple funding mechanisms with variable solicitation methods, funding amounts, durations and review cycles. TRISH's research priorities include commercial space health research (EXPAND), medical system architecture (HERMES), and tissues-chips (SENTINEL). View our current solicitations below.
Remote Biomarker Measurements in Microphysiological Systems
TRISH is seeking proposals to advance remote biomarker analysis capabilities in microphysiological systems (MPS), also known as tissue chips, for space exploration. This solicitation aims to support innovative solutions to improve in-situ measurement technologies for use during future deep space missions, where traditional sample return back to Earth may not be feasible.
Proposals will focus on technologies capable of analyzing a wide range of biomarkers, bioindicators or biosignatures without requiring sample return. TRISH is prioritizing methods that are non-invasive, that do not destroy the sample, and allow for data collection over multiple timepoints separated by days or weeks. Such systems should be adaptable and not restricted to specific laboratory setups. In addition to biomarkers, proposers may address environmental factors, cell function, and tissue health in advanced biological constructs.
By advancing tissue chip technology, TRISH aims for a new way to gather personalized astronaut data without needing a human to tend the samples.
Deadline to Submit: 11:59 p.m. ET on March 6, 2025
BCM Center for Space Medicine Space Health Pilot Grants
This opportunity seeks to advance innovative space medicine research in alignment with the institute’s initiatives and promote space health research at BCM. This program is designed to bring new ideas and innovations to space health and thus support NASA’s Artemis mission goals. To gain an understanding of the major risks associated with human spaceflight please see the recordings of TRISH’s Red Risk School. Outside the box thinking is encouraged to advance the future of spaceflight and it is expected that technology and innovations developed to positively impact space health will also translate to support health care on the ground, especially in remote or rural environments. Topics and focus areas of interest are discussed in the solicitation document.
Deadline to Submit: 11:59 p.m. CT on March 6, 2025
The Catalyst Grants Program
Catalyst proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis. TRISH plans to conduct the first review of the year in February 2025. To be considered, please submit your Step-1 proposal by Thursday, Feb. 6.
TRISH's Catalyst Grant Program offers a streamlined method for carrying out proof-of-concept projects, directed technology developments that address critical needs in space health, maturation of promising concepts with strong preliminary findings, and innovative projects that present opportunities outside of regularly scheduled solicitation cycles.
Any project that addresses the NASA Human Research Roadmap (HRR) and the TRISH initiatives may be proposed. However, TRISH has identified three topic areas of high interest, each encompassing several sub-topics.
Proposals addressing these subjects will receive higher priority:
- Advancing technology to support remote crew health and performance monitoring
- Advancing remote healthcare knowledge base
- Advancing remote research capabilities
Tier 1 projects are a maximum total amount < $150K and limited to one year. Tier 2 projects can reach a total amount of ≥ $150K for up to two years.
International Collaborations
As a federally funded institute, TRISH supports research projects led by investigators currently at U.S.-based institutions. However, to foster an environment for collaboration, TRISH encourages international investigators and organizations to connect by adding themselves to our Researchers Open to Collaboration document. There, you can find potential collaborators as well as add your name, institution and contact information for other potential collaborations with the wider space biomedical community.
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