Key Takeaways
- On May 5, 2026 NASA issued a correction to the NISAR DART (NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission Data, Applications, Research, and Technology Team) documentation concerning Step‑2 proposal requirements.
- The amendment clarifies that names of end‑user organizations must not appear in the anonymized Step‑2 proposal; instead, they should be listed only in the non‑anonymized E & R (Execution & Review) document, as shown in Table A.3‑2.
- The Step‑2 proposal deadline remains unchanged at May 14, 2026.
- Questions about the amendment or general application‑project requirements should be directed to Shanna McClain ([email protected]).
- Other inquiries regarding the NISAR DART effort can be sent to Thorsten Markus ([email protected]).
- The change reinforces the program’s commitment to protecting proprietary or sensitive end‑user information while maintaining transparency in the review process.
- Stakeholders are advised to update their proposal templates and internal checklists to reflect the new anonymization rule before the May 14 submission date.
Overview of the NISAR DART Amendment
On or about May 5, 2026, the NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission Data, Applications, Research, and Technology Team (NISAR DART) released an official correction to its application‑project guidelines. The notice, distributed via NASA’s internal correspondence channels, specifically addresses Section 8.3.1 Step‑2 Proposal Requirements. The correction was motivated by feedback from prospective applicants and internal reviewers who identified a potential conflict between the requirement to anonymize proposals and the need to disclose end‑user organization details for accountability and conflict‑of‑interest checks. By issuing this clarification, NASA aims to eliminate ambiguity, ensure consistent application of the anonymization policy, and safeguard any proprietary or sensitive information that end‑user partners may wish to keep confidential during the early review stages.
Details of the Step‑2 Proposal Requirement Change
The revised language in Section 8.3.1 now explicitly states that the names of end‑user organization(s) are not to be included in the anonymized Step‑2 proposal. Previously, the guidance had been less precise, leading some teams to inadvertently embed organizational identifiers within the proposal text, tables, or figures. The correction replaces that vague instruction with a clear directive: end‑user organization names must be omitted from any material that will undergo the anonymization process. Instead, those names are to be presented solely in the non‑anonymized E & R (Execution & Review) document, which accompanies the proposal but is handled separately by the review panel. Table A.3‑2 in the amendment provides a visual example of where the organization names should appear, reinforcing the procedural shift.
Implications for End‑User Organization Disclosure
By moving end‑user organization identifiers out of the anonymized proposal, NASA preserves the integrity of the blind review process while still granting reviewers access to essential contextual information. The E & R document, which remains linked to the proposal but is not stripped of identifying data, allows the DART team to verify that the proposed work aligns with the mission’s objectives, assess potential conflicts of interest, and confirm that appropriate endorsements or letters of support are in place. For applicants, this means they must adjust their internal workflows: proposal writers should draft the Step‑2 submission without any mention of partner names, logos, or other distinguishing marks, while a separate administrative lead prepares the E & R packet containing the requisite organizational details. Failure to comply could result in a proposal being deemed non‑responsive and returned for revision, potentially jeopardizing the May 14 deadline.
Timeline and Submission Deadline
Despite the procedural clarification, the Step‑2 proposal due date remains fixed at May 14, 2026. The amendment does not alter the overall schedule of the NISAR DART call for applications; it merely refines the submission requirements to ensure consistency with the anonymization protocol. Applicants are therefore encouraged to treat the deadline as immutable and to allocate sufficient time for both the creation of the anonymized proposal and the assembly of the accompanying E & R document. Given the additional step of separating organizational information, teams may benefit from initiating the E & R preparation early in the proposal development cycle to avoid last‑minute scrambling.
Contact Points for Further Inquiries
NASA has designated two points of contact to address any questions arising from this correction or from the broader application‑project process. For queries specifically related to the amendment, the clarification of Step‑2 requirements, or general guidance on preparing anonymized submissions, applicants should contact Shanna McClain at [email protected]. For all other questions concerning the NISAR DART initiative—such as scientific objectives, data product specifications, or collaboration opportunities—interested parties should reach out to Thorsten Markus at [email protected]. Providing these distinct channels helps streamline communication and ensures that respondents receive the most relevant and accurate information.
Broader Context of the NISAR Mission and DART Team
The NISAR (NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission represents a landmark partnership between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aiming to launch a dual‑frequency SAR satellite that will deliver unprecedented observations of Earth’s surface dynamics, including ice sheet deformation, vegetation changes, and natural hazards. The DART team functions as the interdisciplinary hub that translates the mission’s technical capabilities into concrete applications, research endeavors, and technology transfer opportunities. By managing competitive application projects, DART ensures that the data generated by NISAR are utilized effectively across a spectrum of end‑users, ranging from federal agencies and academic institutions to private sector stakeholders and international partners. The recent amendment to the Step‑2 proposal requirements reflects DART’s ongoing effort to balance openness with the protection of sensitive information, thereby fostering trust and encouraging high‑quality submissions from a diverse applicant base.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In summary, the May 5, 2026 correction to the NISAR DART documentation clarifies that end‑user organization names must be excluded from anonymized Step‑2 proposals and instead be placed in the non‑anonymized E & R document, as illustrated in Table A.3‑2. The submission deadline of May 14, 2026 remains unchanged, and NASA has provided clear points of contact for any further clarification. Applicants should immediately review their proposal preparation procedures, update templates to remove any inadvertent organizational identifiers from the anonymized sections, and ensure that a complete E & R packet accompanies each submission. By adhering to these updated guidelines, teams will contribute to a fair, transparent, and secure review process that ultimately enhances the scientific and societal impact of the NISAR mission.