Starlab Call for Proposals – Life Sciences & Fluid Dynamics

Starlab Space is seeking proposals for life sciences and fluid dynamics investigations aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

This Call for Proposals (CFP) supports applied research that leverages microgravity to generate high-quality data, demonstrate feasibility, and advance applications with both scientific merit and practical relevance.

Many research and application areas remain constrained by limited microgravity data — evidence that could otherwise drive broader adoption and sustained utilization. By funding targeted investigations, Starlab aims to close that gap and build a robust ecosystem of microgravity users.

Eligible research areas include, but are not limited to:

• Microorganisms
• Mammalian cells and tissues
• Viruses and bacteria
• Protein crystal growth
• Fluid dynamics and mixing
• Biomaterials
• Small plants/seed germination

Objective of the Call
The objective of this CFP is to support applied scientific investigations that use the microgravity environment on the ISS to generate high-value data and technical insight. These results are intended not only to advance scientific understanding but also to help establish clearer evidence of the potential benefits of microgravity in specific research and application fields and to demonstrate how this can lead to commercial value.

How to Apply
Download the full CFP below for eligibility, key dates and proposal requirements. This call will use a two-step proposal process.
Step-1 proposals are due Tuesday, September 15. Proposals should be submitted as one single document (cover page and main proposal). The required cover page can also be downloaded below.

Do not include confidential, proprietary or trade secret information in your submission.

Questions
Please send your questions before Tuesday, September 8 to: StarlabCFP@starlab-space.com. Please be aware that for fairness and transparency, each question received and the provided answer may be included in a publicly available Questions & Answers (Q&A) section on this proposal home page for all proposers to see (so do not include confidential, proprietary, trade secret or other sensitive information in your question).