The goal of the Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples (LARS) Program is to maximize the scientific return from the samples provided by missions such as Genesis, Stardust, and Hayabusa through development of laboratory instrumentation and advanced analytical techniques required for the complete analyses of the samples they return.

Proposals solicited under this program include those that:

  • seek to develop new analytical instrumentation or combinations of analytical instruments, or new components of analytical instruments, leading to significant improvements in the precision, resolution, or sensitivity of measurements compared to the existing state of the art.
  • development of new analytical techniques for existing instrumentation that will push the limits of current technology.
  • seek to develop analytical capabilities for future sample -return missions.

LARS is now a program with No Due Dates (NoDD). For more information about NoDD in PSD, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/NoDD

A full list of Program Officers can be found at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/program-officers-list/.

Visit the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2024 (ROSES-2024) call for this and other funding opportunities.

Check ROSES-2024 TABLE 2: Solicited Research Programs for proposal due dates.

The NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) contains information on all NASA-funded research opportunities. Be sure to create an NSPIRES account to receive updates and to respond to NASA research announcements.