Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc is a public charity based in Merritt Island, Florida. Formed in 2011, it manages the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory under a cooperative agreement with NASA and facilitates access to ISS research resources for non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives.
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc at a glance
In short: Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc gave $5.0M across 49 grants in 2025 (avg $103K), top state Texas. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,031,509
- -14.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 49
- +14.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $102,684
- -25.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $52,520
- Total assets
- $5,235,596
- -2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (18 of 48, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1005 Viera Blvd 101, Rockledge, FL 32955
Phone: (321) 757-6136
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Regents of the University of Colorado ($456K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
203 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 96 grants of 203 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Texas (22%), Massachusetts (19%), California (16%), Colorado (9%), and Kentucky (7%). The grant list also includes recipients in other states, including Indiana, Virginia, Alabama, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 48 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $117K; repeat grants $97K. How we count
Medians: $79K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2022) to $5.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 49 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eascra Biotech Boston, MA | Life Science Grant | $432,300 |
| Nanoracks LLC Webster, TX | Flight Projects | $365,828 |
| Space Tango Inc Lexington, KY | Flight Projects | $365,240 |
| TransAstra Corporation Los Angeles, CA | Education Grant | $290,625 |
| Redwire Space Technologies Inc Greenville, IN | Flight Projects | $280,387 |
| Leocloud Inc Ashburn, VA | Physical Science Grant | $255,060 |
| Regents of the University of Colorado Denver, CO | Flight Projects | $254,779 |
| Axiom Space Houston, TX | Flight Projects | $248,596 |
| Alpha Space Test and Research Alliance LLC Houston, TX | Physical Science Grant | $246,743 |
| Regents of the University of Colorado Denver, CO | Life Science Grant | $201,488 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,235,596 | $17,343,230 | $17,833,864 | $5,031,509 | 49 | $-166,156 |
| 2024 | $5,392,094 | $19,451,197 | $19,723,477 | $5,914,104 | 43 | $62,912 |
| 2023 | $6,721,508 | $17,778,832 | $17,177,114 | $4,255,111 | 42 | $529 |
| 2022 | $3,595,465 | $12,704,587 | $12,599,326 | $2,284,362 | 31 | $1,932 |
| 2021 | $3,267,483 | $12,149,207 | $12,251,810 | $3,282,120 | 38 | $1,346 |
| 2020 | $3,290,268 | $14,427,126 | $14,362,262 | $4,590,567 | 41 | $1,282 |
| 2019 | $3,068,246 | $15,769,075 | $16,220,409 | $4,367,435 | 44 | $2,630 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CASIS states that it enables access to ISS research resources for initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. Its program description says the ISS National Lab is intended to help researchers improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit.
The 2025 grant list includes flight projects, life science, physical science, and education grants. Among the grantees were Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, whose stated mission includes transforming biomedical discoveries and innovations for better health; Carthage College, whose stated motto is “Seeking truth, building strength, inspiring service”; and Science Friday Initiative, which says it provides a public platform for discussion and understanding of science.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, CASIS reported 49 grants totaling $5,031,509. Grant amounts ranged from $5,432 to $432,300, with a median of $52,520. The largest listed grants included $432,300 to Eascra Biotech for a life science grant, $365,828 to Nanoracks LLC for flight projects, $365,240 to Space Tango Inc for flight projects, and $290,625 to TransAstra Corporation for an education grant.
Other 2025 recipients included Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ($150,000), Carthage College ($52,520), the Quest Institute for Quality Education ($35,000), Science Friday Initiative ($29,440), Johns Hopkins University ($16,165), and Emory University ($16,050).
The organization’s 2023 filing describes a proposal review process that includes operations feasibility, scientific merit and potential impact, potential economic, innovation and social benefits relative to technical and commercial risk, alignment with education goals, and regulatory and legal risk review. The website says the primary route to ISS research is through business-to-business agreements with Commercial Service Providers (CSPs). That pathway provides access to ISS resources but does not provide funding; researchers using it need funding for their investigation and CSP services. The website says CASIS is unlikely to issue funding solicitations, though it may occasionally do so for targeted research areas. No statement on unsolicited requests is provided.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David P Radzanowski as Board Chair and Ramon Ray Lugo III as President & CEO. Directors listed are Dorothy S Rasco, Eric D Isaacs, James A Pawelczyk, John W Sheets Jr, Margaret T Jenny, Michael H Moloney, Sol Glasner, and Waleed Abdalati.
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc is led by Ramon Ray Lugo III, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 9 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ramon Ray Lugo III
President & CEO
President & Acting CEO → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $380K (2025)
David P Radzanowski
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melody Kuehner
Secretary & Director of Hr
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$186K (2019) → $238K (2025)
Laurie Provin
Director of Strategic Engagement
On filings since 2023
44 hrs/week
$155K (2023) → $200K (2025)
Hewitt McKinney
Director of Administration & Business Services
Director of Administrator & Business Services → Director of Administration & Business Services, 2025
On filings since 2024
44 hrs/week
$191K (2024) → $198K (2025)
Daniel Blaettler
Director of Research & Innovation
New on the 2025 filing
44 hrs/week
$189K (2025)
Eric D Isaacs
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A Pawelczyk
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael H Moloney
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John W Sheets Jr.
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret T Jenny
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Waleed Abdalati
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sol Glasner
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy S Rasco
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Roberts
Chief Scientist
Vice President of Science & Technology → Vice President of Science, 2021
Vice President of Science → Chief Scientist, 2023
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$185K (2019) → $253K (2025)
Sven Eenmaa
Chief Economist
Director, Investment & E → Director of Investment & Analyst, 2023
Director of Investment & Analyst → Chief Economist, 2024
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$158K (2021) → $210K (2025)
Jonathan Bobbitt
Treasurer & Finance Manager
Treasurer Started → Treasurer & Finance Manager, 2023
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$119K (2023) → $152K (2025)
Francisco Cordova
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$301K (2024) → $315K (2025)
Former officers (30)
- Former: Robert Hampton (2024) — Director of Operations
- Former: Christine Kretz (2020–2023) — Former Vice President Commercial Innovation
- Former: Elizabeth R. Cantwell (2020–2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Mounir Alafrangy (2023) — Commercial Innovation Manager
- Former: Ryan Reeves (2023) — Director of Science & Technology
- Former: Ioannis Miaoulis (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Joseph H. Hastings (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Kenneth Shields (2019–2022) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Steven L. Smith (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Gale J. Allen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kenneth Savin (2021–2022) — Senior Program Director
- Former: James Crocker (2022) — Interim Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Joseph G. Vockley (2019–2021) — Former President & CEO
- Former: Richard Leach (2020–2021) — Chief Strategic Officer
- Former: Andrei E. Ruckenstein (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: C. Randy Giles (2019–2020) — Chief Scientist
- Former: Carolyn M. Ticknor (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Howard Zucker (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lewis M. Duncan (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lt Gen James A. Abrahamson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Philip S. Schein (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Cynthia Martin-Brennan (2020) — Director of Strategic Comminications
- Former: Brian Talbot (2019) — Director of Marketing & Communications
- Former: Cynthia Tocco (2019) — Director of Business Development
- Former: Gregory H. Johnson (2019) — President & Executive Director
- Former: Jorge Fernandez (2019) — Treasurer & Chief Financial
- Former: Joseph Formichelli (2019) — Director
- Former: Joseph Jacobus Van Dokkum (2019) — Director
- Former: Warren Bates (2019) — Director of Portfolio Mana
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $380K, to Ramon Ray Lugo III (President & CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc
How much does Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc give each year?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc gave $5.0M across 49 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.9M across 43 grants.
What is Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's typical grant size?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's median grant in 2025 was $52,520, and its average grant was $102,684, across 49 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc that year got $117K on average.
Where does Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc give grants?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's top state is Texas, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Massachusetts (19%) and California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (6 grants), Los Angeles, CA (3 grants), Denver, CO (2 grants) and Webster, TX (2 grants).
Does Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 49 grants with a stated purpose on Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education Grant" (18 grants), "Physical Science Grant" (12 grants) and "Life Science Grant" (11 grants).
Who are Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's largest grantees?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Regents of the University of Colorado ($456,267 across 2 grants), Eascra Biotech ($432,300) and Nanoracks LLC ($365,828), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc reported $5.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.3M.
What does Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc fund?
CASIS states that it enables access to ISS research resources for initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's EIN?
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-5410763. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/center-for-the-advancement-of-science-in-space-inc-morg_4dbf09709b8146aeaa5c912fe009047f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_275410763_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/center-for-the-advancement-of-science-in-space-inc-morg_4dbf09709b8146aeaa5c912fe009047f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Center For the Advancement of Science In Space Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?