The Planetary Science Research Program funds studies on the Solar System's content, origin, and evolution, and explores the potential for life elsewhere. Aligned with NASA’s strategic goals for 2023-2032, the program supports various research styles—such as fundamental, hypothesis-driven, exploratory, or focused studies—provided they relate to planetary science. Researchers should review specific program details and verify the relevance of their work, reaching out to program contacts with questions.

The Planetary Science Research Program supports investigations to help ascertain the content, origin, and evolution of the Solar System and the potential for life elsewhere, consistent with the Planetary Science Decadal Survey Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023 – 2032 and the strategy for Planetary Science Exploration embodied in NASA’s Science Strategy. The Planetary Science Research portfolio contains specific program elements aimed at addressing these strategic objectives.

Proposed investigations may span a range of styles, e.g., fundamental research, hypothesis-driven research, exploratory studies, and/or highly focused work, but in all cases must have relevance to planetary science. Proposers are encouraged to read the solicitations for the individual program elements carefully, check the relevance of their work, and contact the program point(s) of contact with any questions.