Catalyst Grants Program

The Catalyst Grants Program, operated by the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), aims to fund innovative research projects that enhance human health in space and on Earth. With a focus on addressing critical human system risks for NASA, the program encourages high-impact, unique ideas and technologies. Projects can receive up to $150K for one year or more substantial funding for two years. This initiative seeks to foster groundbreaking advancements in space health research.

NOTE: Funds are fully obligated. TRISH will continue to accept and screen any Step-1 proposals. We may invite Step-2 proposals but these proposals are at risk as a result of budget availability.
Background
The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is an applied space health research catalyst supported by the NASA Human Research Program (HRP) to fund disruptive, high-impact scientific studies and technologies to equip astronauts for space exploration. TRISH relentlessly pursues and funds novel research to deliver high-impact scientific and technological solutions that advance space health and help humans thrive wherever they explore, in space or on Earth.
TRISH supports programs in physical and mental health surveillance, prevention, countermeasures, and medical treatments. Since its inception, TRISH has funded over 150 projects that have advanced medical science for both our world and the worlds that lay beyond. As the only institute dedicated to promoting space health discoveries and technologies, TRISH is accelerating research that will benefit all people with a future in deep space and here on Earth.
Founded on October 1, 2016, TRISH works in partnership with NASA’s HRP through Cooperative Agreement NNX16AO69A. Led by Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Space Medicine, TRISH’s consortium leverages partnerships with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). TRISH recognizes the need to encourage innovation among the space health community, to attract cutting-edge technologies and high-risk, high-reward ideas, and to translate existing technologies for use in space flight. All proposals should be sure to clearly justify how the project will reduce risks to human health and performance in space.
The Catalyst Grant Program offers a streamlined method for carrying out proof-of-concept projects, directed technology development(s) for space health that address a critical need(s), maturation of promising concepts with strong preliminary findings, and innovative projects that present opportunities outside of regularly scheduled solicitation cycles.
Our primary goal is to help mitigate NASA HRP’s Human Research Roadmap (HRR) Risks and enable future Artemis missions and deep space exploration.
Award Information
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.
Please note that the Catalyst Program has limited budget availability. TRISH seeks research that enables and enhances human exploration of space beyond low-Earth orbit. Catalyst Projects MUST:
Have a focus that falls outside of a currently open or recently-closed TRISH solicitation.Address a critical human system risk challenge for NASA HRP and TRISH.Represent unique and high-impact ideas, technologies, or countermeasures to space flight hazards.
Selected proposals will be funded as research grants. Multi-year proposals will be funded in one-year increments. Additional funding allocations to participating investigators will be based on the submitted budget, available funds, programmatic alignment, and project review.
Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.