Now Accepting Applications — 2nd Cohort

Propelling Puerto Rican science and engineering to the forefront of space innovation through research aboard the International Space Station.

Submission
Deadline:

June 12, 2026
11:59 PM AST

Don’t miss your chance to conduct research in space.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Research Beyond
Earth’s Limits

The Advanced Research Grant – Space Edition is an innovative program that enables Puerto Rican science and technology research and development on the International Space Station (ISS) through a competitive, proposal-based selection process.

The program aims to propel Puerto Rico’s existing science and engineering industries to the forefront of space innovation by providing rapid ISS access, proven spaceflight hardware and operations, and expert space mission development consulting.

The Advanced Research Grant – Space Edition is led and managed by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust and Rhodium Scientific. Building on the success of our first edition, this second cohort continues to open doors for Puerto Rican professional and student scientists and engineers to conduct research in space.

ARG SPACE EDITION

Info Session

PROPOSAL TRACKS

Choose Your Mission

Biotechnology &
Biopharma Science Mission

Conduct cutting-edge biological and pharmaceutical research in microgravity conditions aboard the ISS, exploring new frontiers in life sciences and drug development.

Hardware Technology
Development Mission

Design, build, and test innovative hardware and technology solutions in the unique environment of space, advancing engineering capabilities for both space and terrestrial applications.

APPLICATION CATEGORIES

Select Your Research Focus

For academic and research institution scientists advancing fundamental knowledge and translating discoveries toward real-world impact. Ideal for exploring novel hypotheses in a microgravity environment.

For teams developing innovative products and technologies with a clear pathway to market. Leverage the ISS platform to validate, refine, and accelerate your commercial applications.

Refer to the guidelines for more information before applying.

APPLICATION  PROCESS

1

Letter of Intent

Outline your proposed research, its relevance to microgravity, and your team’s qualifications. We recommend scheduling a consultation with Rhodium Scientific to discuss your mission and assess ISS feasibility prior to submitting.

2

REVIEW

The Trust evaluates LOIs against selection criteria and strategic research areas. Selected applicants will receive an invitation to submit a Full Proposal.

3

FULL PROPOSAL

Invited applicants submit a detailed research plan, methodology, budget, and expected outcomes. A meeting with Rhodium Scientific is mandatory, and a feasibility letter from Rhodium must be included in the final submission. 

4

AWARD

Selected projects receive funding, ISS access, proven spaceflight hardware, and expert mission development consulting support from PRSTRT and Rhodium Scientific.

ADVANCED RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM SPACE EDITION

1st Cohort Highlights

The first cohort of the Advanced Research Grant – Space Edition demonstrated what’s possible when local innovation meets global space infrastructure. These projects successfully advanced Puerto Rican research aboard the International Space Station.

Rhodium Stem Cell 01

The experiment, Rhodium StemCell 01, is led by Dr. Maribella Domenech, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). This pioneering research, funded by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust’s Research Grants Program, became the first space mission financed by the Trust and was launched aboard NASA’s SpaceX CRS-31 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The study aims to investigate how microgravity affects stem cell growth and their anti-inflammatory properties, generating valuable insights that could advance both space exploration and regenerative medicine on Earth.

“Sending our research to the International Space Station is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a dream come true for our team. This mission not only elevates the global profile of our Department of Chemical Engineering and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, but also paves the way for groundbreaking discoveries. Studying cellular behavior in microgravity offers unprecedented insights into cell dynamics and stem cell manufacturing, unlocking transformative potential for research and fostering new collaborations worldwide.”
-Dra. Domenech.

Rhodium Water Filtration 01

The experiment, Rhodium Water Filtration 01, is led by Dr. David Suleiman Rosado, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). This research aims to transform water purification in space environments, addressing critical challenges such as energy consumption and the efficient reuse of water resources.

“Polymeric nanostructured membranes allow for the development of sophisticated separation systems using knowledge of chemistry and engineering. This application, which we will study on the International Space Station, is not only an inspiration for me and all my students, but it can also be fundamental for the success of future space missions and help us better understand transport mechanisms, which could have implications for various applications benefiting our society,”
-Dr. David Suleiman Rosado

Ready to take your research to Space?

Deadline June 12, 2026 · 11:59 PM AST