In general, the topics for the Research Coordination Networks (RCNs) were selected based on broad research areas of importance articulated in the 2015 Astrobiology Science Strategy, An Astrobiology Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe (National Academy of Science Engineering and Medicine), and on the need for foundations research for ongoing and future missions planned with astrobiological significance.
In 2017 Congress modified the 51 U.S. Code § 20102 – Congressional declaration of policy and purpose [for NASA] to specifically call out astrobiology in the agency’s objectives.