STEP Grants: Science and Technology Empowered by the Public
Forecasted
The STEP Grants from The Planetary Society fund innovative space science and technology projects that advance exploration, planetary defense, and the search for life.
Funder: The Planetary Society
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2028: Pre-proposal submission deadline (projected)
Funding Amounts: Typically two awards of ~$50,000 each per cycle; actual number and amount may vary based on available funding and proposals.
Summary: Funds innovative space science and technology projects advancing exploration, planetary defense, and the search for life.
Description
The STEP Grants program from The Planetary Society supports innovative science and technology projects that advance space exploration, planetary defense, and the search for life beyond Earth. The program is open internationally and seeks to fund credible research and hardware development that fills critical gaps, jumpstarts new technologies, and inspires both the scientific community and the public. STEP Grants are designed to support projects that may not otherwise receive funding, providing seed funding, filling unique niches, or enabling timely opportunities in space science. Awardees are expected to engage with The Planetary Society community, providing updates and participating in outreach activities.
