Sponsors (5)
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Creates a National Institute for Space Research to support and coordinate next‑generation microgravity research platforms, award competitive grants, help move research off the International Space Station (ISS), and prepare the workforce. It directs the NASA Administrator to set up the Institute (operated by a non‑Federal entity under contract) beginning no earlier than January 1, 2026, allows NASA funding support, and requires termination of the ISS National Laboratory and related cooperative agreement within 180 days after ISS research operations end. The Institute will set research priorities, publish available next‑generation platforms, manage grant competitions (with matching funds), coordinate flight opportunities including for nationally sensitive projects, and work with agencies, industry, and academia to transition research from the ISS. The law modifies certain appointment limits for special government employees serving under the Act and includes conflict‑of‑interest and confidentiality rules for Board members and grant recipients.
The bill creates a centralized Institute and broadens eligibility to preserve and commercialize U.S. microgravity research after the ISS, expanding opportunities for students, researchers, and private firms — but it requires new taxpayer funding and raises governance, accountability, and near-term disruption risks (including possible loss of the ISS National Lab and constrained crew time).
Researchers, U.S. laboratories, universities, and students will retain competitive access to microgravity platforms through a new Institute that awards grants and coordinates transitions after the ISS, enabling continuity of U.S. space R&D.
Private companies, small businesses, nonprofits, and universities can compete for federal microgravity R&D funding and partnership opportunities, expanding commercialization pathways and potential job growth in the commercial space sector.
Students and the STEM workforce will gain education and workforce-development programs tied to microgravity research, increasing hands-on training and pipeline development for space-related careers.
Taxpayers, academic researchers, and nonprofits may see federal R&D dollars diverted to new Institute operations and private firms, increasing overall taxpayer cost and reducing funds available for other NASA priorities or noncommercial research.
Scientists, research teams, and government contractors could lose an organized U.S. research platform and coordination body within 180 days if the ISS National Lab/cooperative agreement is terminated, disrupting projects, commercialization plans, and jobs.
Researchers, universities, and taxpayers face governance and accountability risks because a board dominated by agency representatives and private appointees plus operation through a non‑Federal contractor could slow decisionmaking, create bureaucratic complexity, and reduce clear federal accountability.
Introduced November 19, 2025 by John Cornyn · Last progress November 19, 2025