NASA aeronautics directorate updates research solicitations for workforce and flight demonstrations
The Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate has refreshed its opportunities page, highlighting a 2026 deadline for flight demonstration plans and a call for regional hubs to support aerospace technical roles.
NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) has updated its solicitations page to outline current opportunities for collaboration and research aimed at improving air transportation systems. The update, published on June 23, 2026, compiles various initiatives ranging from flight demonstration proposals to workforce development hubs, with most opportunities managed through the Web-based NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES).
A key focus is the Advanced Air Vehicles Program’s Subsonic Vehicle Technologies and Tools project, which has set a deadline of August 3, 2026, for proposals on Open Fan Flight Demonstrations. This research announcement seeks plans for flight demonstrations to inform the project’s roadmap and identify areas for potential investment. The initiative aims to advance technologies that enable the accelerated introduction of radical aircraft and engine concepts through industry partnerships.
The directorate is also seeking proposals to establish NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs (NAS_Hubs). This initiative addresses shortages in critical science- and engineering-based roles that do not require a bachelor’s degree, a gap highlighted by the rapid expansion of the space economy. Proposers must establish state or regionally focused centres to align education, workforce, industry, and government partners over a three-year performance period.
Other entries on the updated page include closed Requests for Information (RFI) for several initiatives. The RFI for the Aeronautics Flight Accelerator initiative, which sought input on subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight technologies, closed on May 7, 2026. Similarly, RFIs for Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) research have closed, having gathered market data to inform future partnership strategies.
Graduate student fellowship opportunities under the Advanced Air Vehicles Program remain available, with a previous proposal deadline of June 11, 2025. However, due to Fiscal Year 2026 budget changes, opportunities originally described under the Transformational Tools & Technologies project were cancelled. The agency encourages interested parties to monitor NSPIRES for automated announcements and to review the full research announcement texts on SAM.gov for detailed eligibility and submission requirements.
