Pre-proposal Workshop for HWO Instrument Concept Studies Solicitation

NASA plans to solicit proposals for carrying out U.S.-led Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) instrument concept studies in spring 2026. These proposals should result in the formation of teams executing science, engineering, and technology investigations to inform the HWO Technology Maturation Project Office (TMPO) as it continues to develop the HWO mission concept.

NASA seeks innovative approaches from U.S.-based organizations that combine instrument capabilities (full instruments or subsystems) and/or ways to improve or simplify previously studied instrument designs.

In addition to U.S.-led efforts, this call plans to solicit proposals to support U.S.-based individuals participating in separate HWO instrument concept studies led by non-U.S. organizations.

In support of this solicitation, HTMPO will host a hybrid pre-proposal workshop to give potential proposers opportunities to learn about the interests of other potential proposers and to begin forming teams. TMPO will also provide updates on topics such as driving science cases, current TMPO instrument concepts, and ongoing technology development; these updates will be recorded and made publicly available after the workshop.

While in-person attendance will be limited by the venue size and offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, online attendance will be open to all.

Registration is free, but required, for both in-person and online attendance.

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Astrobiology, Astronomy, Exoplanet,