Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS UAE 02 FY2026
The Lunar Payload Design Challenge is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to the UAE) funding opportunity to run a hands-on, team-based program that pairs U.S. and Emirati graduate students to design and develop technologies that could support future lunar missions. The program is framed as a practical applied research and development challenge, not a lecture series, with an emphasis on producing credible payload or mission-support concepts and strengthening long-term institutional links among universities, research centers, and industry. It is positioned as a way to deepen U.S.-UAE cooperation in space innovation, highlight U.S. leadership in lunar exploration, and build pipelines for continued collaboration that could extend into research advancement, commercialization pathways, or eventual mission integration.
The grant is rooted in the broader context of expanding U.S.-UAE science and technology ties as the UAE increases its investments in advanced space capabilities, including lunar exploration. The NOFO explicitly notes lessons learned from prior STEM exchanges and innovation challenges: programs that are experiential, collaborative, and sustained tend to produce stronger skill gains and longer-lasting partnerships than short-term or purely classroom-style efforts. It also stresses relevance to current industry and research priorities, meaning applicants should design the challenge around mission-oriented problem-solving that aligns with ongoing lunar exploration momentum and realistic payload development constraints.
The core audience is graduate-level STEM students (typically ages 22 to 35) in fields such as aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, computer science, and closely related disciplines. The expectation is participation from institutions in both the United States and the UAE that already have space-focused programs or demonstrated capabilities in space systems, lunar research, or relevant technology areas. Departments with experience building and testing hardware prototypes or instruments are strongly encouraged, although teams without that background can still be involved if they present a credible plan for hardware realization and include the right technical partnerships. Beyond students, the program is meant to connect with emerging space-sector professionals and partner organizations across academia and applied research, with optional involvement from industry and government stakeholders as mentors, reviewers, or collaborators.
The stated overall goal is to strengthen U.S.-UAE collaboration in lunar exploration and space innovation through joint development of payload and technology concepts using applied, team-based learning. The objectives provide concrete performance targets: the program should engage at least 30 graduate students total (15 Emirati and 15 U.S.) working in teams on lunar-relevant payload or mission-support concepts, and at least 90 percent of participants should show improved technical and collaborative skills based on post-program assessments. A second objective is to increase participants understanding of U.S. leadership in space technology, especially lunar exploration, while raising awareness of collaboration opportunities with U.S. institutions, agencies, and industry. A third objective is to produce 1 to 3 viable payload or technology concepts with potential applicability to future lunar missions (including concepts that align with NASA or partner mission architectures), and to drive continuity after the challenge ends, with at least 50 percent of teams still engaged or advancing their concepts within six months.
Administratively, this is a discretionary opportunity using a cooperative agreement, with one expected award and an award ceiling of $300,000. The funding opportunity number is PDS UAE 02 FY2026, and the CFDA listing provided is 19.040. Eligible prime applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions (U.S. and foreign), and public international organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient, though subcontracting is allowed as long as roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and the proposal respects the distinctions between subrecipients and contractors referenced under 2 CFR 200.331. Only one nonprofit, non-governmental entity may serve as the prime recipient.
The application package requires standard federal forms submitted via Grants.gov (SF-424 or SF-424-I, SF-424A, and in certain cases SF-424B) plus a narrative proposal capped at five pages. The narrative must clearly explain what will be done and how, even to reviewers unfamiliar with the project. Required sections include a proposal summary, an organizational introduction detailing capacity and relevant experience (including prior State Department or U.S. government grants), a problem statement, a description of methods/design/activities/deliverables tied to measurable goals and objectives, a schedule and timeline with dates and locations, key personnel roles and time allocations, partners and sub-awardees, and a sustainability or future funding plan. Proposals must also include a Monitoring and Evaluation component, specifically a Performance Monitoring Plan, to show how outcomes like skill gains, concept viability, and post-program engagement will be tracked and evidenced.
Applications are due July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM UAE time, and the deadline is firm (not rolling). Submissions can be made either by email to UAEPASGrants@state.gov (with the funding opportunity title and number in the subject line) or through Grants.gov, where the official timestamp is used to determine on-time submission. Technical support for Grants.gov issues is handled through the Grants.gov Contact Center rather than the embassy email address.Apply for PDS UAE 02 FY2026
- The U.S. Mission to United Arab Emirates in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Lunar Payload Design Challenge" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Lunar Payload Design Challenge (PDS UAE 02 FY2026)
What is the Lunar Payload Design Challenge?
The Lunar Payload Design Challenge is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to the UAE) funding opportunity to run a hands-on, team-based program that pairs U.S. and Emirati graduate students to design and develop technologies that could support future lunar missions. It is structured as a practical applied research and development challenge (not a lecture series) focused on producing credible payload or mission-support concepts and building long-term institutional partnerships.
Who is offering this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, specifically the U.S. Mission to the UAE.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The stated overall goal is to strengthen U.S.-UAE collaboration in lunar exploration and space innovation through joint development of payload and technology concepts using applied, team-based learning. The program is also positioned to deepen U.S.-UAE cooperation in space innovation, highlight U.S. leadership in lunar exploration, and create pipelines for continued collaboration that may extend into research advancement, commercialization pathways, or eventual mission integration.
Is this meant to be a classroom or lecture-based program?
No. The NOFO emphasizes that the program should be experiential and hands-on, framed as an applied research and development challenge rather than a lecture series. The approach should center on practical, mission-oriented problem-solving and realistic payload development constraints.
Who is the target participant audience?
The core audience is graduate-level STEM students (typically ages 22 to 35). The program is designed to pair U.S. and Emirati graduate students into teams working on lunar-relevant payload or mission-support concepts.
What fields of study are most relevant for participating students?
The opportunity highlights graduate students in fields such as aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, computer science, and closely related STEM disciplines that support space systems, lunar research, and relevant technology development.
How many students should the program engage?
The program is expected to engage at least 30 graduate students total, with a target split of 15 Emirati and 15 U.S. students, working in teams.
What outcomes or performance targets are expected for participants?
The objectives include a target that at least 90 percent of participants should show improved technical and collaborative skills based on post-program assessments. Another objective is increased participant understanding of U.S. leadership in space technology (especially lunar exploration) and awareness of collaboration opportunities with U.S. institutions, agencies, and industry.
What types of concepts should teams produce?
The program is expected to produce 1 to 3 viable payload or technology concepts with potential applicability to future lunar missions. The NOFO notes that concepts may align with NASA or partner mission architectures.
Is there an expectation for follow-on activity after the challenge ends?
Yes. Continuity is a stated objective. The program should drive post-program engagement such that at least 50 percent of teams are still engaged or advancing their concepts within six months after the challenge ends.
What kinds of institutions are expected to participate or partner?
The opportunity anticipates participation from institutions in both the United States and the UAE that already have space-focused programs or demonstrated capabilities in space systems, lunar research, or relevant technology areas. Departments experienced in building and testing hardware prototypes or instruments are strongly encouraged.
Can teams participate if they do not have extensive hardware prototyping experience?
Yes. Teams without a deep hardware background can still be involved if they present a credible plan for hardware realization and include appropriate technical partnerships.
Are industry or government stakeholders allowed to be involved?
Yes. The program is meant to connect participants with emerging space-sector professionals and partner organizations across academia and applied research, with optional involvement from industry and government stakeholders as mentors, reviewers, or collaborators.
What type of award is this?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement.
How many awards are expected?
One award is expected.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $300,000.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The funding opportunity number is PDS UAE 02 FY2026, and the CFDA listing provided is 19.040.
Who is eligible to apply as the prime applicant?
Eligible prime applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions (U.S. and foreign), and public international organizations.
Are for-profit companies eligible to apply as the prime recipient?
No. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient. However, subcontracting is allowed if roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and the proposal follows the distinctions between subrecipients and contractors referenced under 2 CFR 200.331.
How many prime recipients can there be?
The NOFO specifies that only one nonprofit, non-governmental entity may serve as the prime recipient.
What is required in the application package?
The application package requires standard federal forms submitted via Grants.gov (SF-424 or SF-424-I, SF-424A, and in certain cases SF-424B) plus a narrative proposal capped at five pages.
What should the narrative proposal include?
The narrative must clearly explain what will be done and how, including enough detail for reviewers who may be unfamiliar with the project. Required sections include: a proposal summary; an organizational introduction describing capacity and relevant experience (including prior State Department or U.S. government grants); a problem statement; a description of methods/design/activities/deliverables tied to measurable goals and objectives; a schedule and timeline with dates and locations; key personnel roles and time allocations; partners and sub-awardees; and a sustainability or future funding plan.
Is Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) required?
Yes. Proposals must include a Monitoring and Evaluation component, specifically a Performance Monitoring Plan, describing how outcomes such as skill gains, concept viability, and post-program engagement will be tracked and evidenced.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are due July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM UAE time. The deadline is firm and not rolling.
How can applications be submitted?
Applications can be submitted either by email to UAEPASGrants@state.gov (with the funding opportunity title and number in the subject line) or through Grants.gov.
Which timestamp determines whether a Grants.gov submission is on time?
For submissions through Grants.gov, the official Grants.gov timestamp is used to determine on-time submission.
Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov technical support?
Technical support for Grants.gov issues is handled through the Grants.gov Contact Center rather than the embassy email address.
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