TRISH Catalyst Grants Program: NASA-Funded Space Health Awards for Companies and Researchers

The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) funds disruptive, high-impact technologies and studies that protect astronaut health. TRISH is led by Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Space Medicine and funded through a NASA cooperative agreement with the NASA Human Research Program (HRP). The Catalyst Grants Program supports proof-of-concept projects and directed technology development. Tier 1 awards reach up to $150,000 over 12 months, and Tier 2 awards are $150,000 or more for larger projects.

Deadline: Rolling. Preliminary proposals are reviewed quarterly, and TRISH is accepting submissions through December 2026.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Many medtech problems in spaceflight mirror problems on Earth: remote monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, blood clot prevention, behavioral health, and care with no specialist nearby. TRISH lets medtech and healthtech companies fund that work with NASA money, without the SBIR calendar. The two-page first step is light, U.S. companies are eligible, and a TRISH award builds a NASA track record that supports later NASA SBIR/STTR and HRP proposals.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: TRISH at Baylor College of Medicine, funded by NASA's Human Research Program
• Tier 1: Under $150,000 total, up to 12 months
• Tier 2: $150,000 or more total, up to 18 months
• Budget rules: All direct and indirect costs count toward the total; minimum 10% cost share (cash or in-kind)
• Who can apply: U.S. institutions and companies with a documented base of ongoing R&D
• Submission: Rolling, with quarterly Step-1 reviews, through December 2026
• Notification: About 3 to 4 months after a Step-2 full proposal
• Contact: spacehealth-info@bcm.edu

What TRISH Funds

Catalyst projects must address critical human system risks on the NASA HRP roadmap, represent a unique, high-impact idea, and fall outside other open TRISH solicitations. Recent example topics include:

Ground-Based Research

• Countermeasures for internal jugular venous flow reversal
• Decompression sickness prevention
• Managing behavioral emergencies in remote environments
• Early detection of behavioral health decline

Flight Research

• Continuous characterization of venous flow during spaceflight
• Comparing venous thromboembolism countermeasures
• Evaluating post-flight motor control recovery

Is Your Company a Fit?

TRISH Catalyst is a strong fit if your company:

• Builds wearables, remote monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, vascular, neuro, or behavioral health technology
• Can show how the technology reduces a specific spaceflight health risk
• Has ongoing R&D and preliminary data
• Can commit at least 10% cost share
• Wants a NASA relationship that extends into Earth-based clinical markets

How to Apply

1. Map to an HRP risk. Tie your technology to a named human system risk on the NASA Human Research Roadmap.
2. Submit a Step-1 preliminary proposal. Two pages maximum covering specific aims, deliverables, an implementation roadmap, TRISH alignment, and spaceflight health benefits. No institutional sign-off is required.
3. Prepare a Step-2 full proposal if invited. Tier 1 allows an 8-page project description and Tier 2 allows 15 pages, plus NASA SciENcv biosketches, Current and Pending Support, budget justification, a 2-page data management plan, and research security training certification.
4. Merit review. Reviewers score innovation, significance to NASA risk reduction, approach, and team, then assess budget, timeline, and data management.
5. Award. Decisions come about 3 to 4 months after Step-2, and start dates may shift with NASA budget availability.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO has helped deep-tech, medtech, and aerospace founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding, including NASA awards. We help you frame your technology around NASA HRP risks, write a sharp two-page Step-1, and connect a TRISH award to NASA SBIR/STTR and Earth-based commercialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TRISH Catalyst Grants Program?

It is a NASA-funded program run by the Translational Research Institute for Space Health at Baylor College of Medicine that funds proof-of-concept projects and technology development addressing astronaut health risks.

Can companies apply for TRISH Catalyst grants?

Yes. U.S. institutions and companies are eligible if they have a documented base of ongoing research and development in science, healthcare, or technology.

How much funding does TRISH Catalyst provide?

Tier 1 awards are under $150,000 for up to 12 months. Tier 2 awards are $150,000 or more for up to 18 months. All direct and indirect costs count toward the total.

Is cost share required?

Yes. TRISH requires a minimum 10% cost share, which can be cash or in-kind.

What is the TRISH Catalyst deadline?

Submissions are rolling with quarterly Step-1 reviews, and TRISH is accepting applications through December 2026.

What does the Step-1 preliminary proposal require?

A two-page document covering specific aims, deliverables, an implementation roadmap, alignment with TRISH, and spaceflight health benefits. No institutional sign-off is needed.

How long does a TRISH award decision take?

Award notification is expected about 3 to 4 months after the Step-2 full proposal is submitted.