MegaResearch Awards Program (MegaRAP)

The Mega Research Award Program (MegaRAP) is a one-time competition designed to assist Louisiana university researchers in advancing projects that directly contribute to active NASA research missions and priorities. Modelled on our longstanding RAP program, the MegaRAP will provide more than double the funding and a slightly longer period of performance. The MegaRAP program aims to support the overall NASA EPSCoR Goal of improving NASA research networks, research capacity in Louisiana, and contributions to research and development in areas of priority to both the state and the agency. We anticipate awarding three MegaRAPs for $100,000 each for a 15-month period of performance with a required cost-match of at least $50,000.

Each institution will be limited to two proposal submissions to the MegaRAP competition; submission selection (PI Name, proposal title, abstract) must be identified at the NOI stage.

An NOI is required in advance of proposal submission. Thus, institutions should conduct an internal competition and down selection prior to submitting the NOI. Institutional sign-off IS required for the NOI.

The project PI must be a faculty researcher at one of Louisiana’s institutions of higher education who received their PhD in 2016 or later.

Solicitation Release: 10/16/2026
NOI Due: 12/16/2026 (Limit 2 Per Institution)
Proposals Due: 2/10/2027
Award Announcement: April 2027

Download MegaRAP Guidelines in PDF format: RAP 2026 Proposal Guidelines
Download RAP Guidelines in Word format: MegaRAP 2026 Proposal Guidelines

References For NASA Research Priorities
NASA EPSCoR Research Focus Areas
NASA Ignition