NASA Creator Proposals 2026: Opportunity for Filmmakers, Storytellers, Songwriters, Poets and Documentarians to Partner with NASA @Unknown

NASA has opened an exciting opportunity for creative professionals who want to help tell the stories behind some of the agency’s most ambitious missions and innovations. As NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, aviation research, nuclear propulsion, and lunar missions, the agency is inviting creators to submit proposals for potential partnerships that will help bring these mission stories to wider audiences.

This opportunity is designed for filmmakers, documentarians, songwriters, storytellers, poets, and other creative professionals who can develop powerful content around NASA’s work. Through this call, NASA is looking for partners who can communicate the agency’s missions in compelling, accessible, educational, and inspiring ways.

NASA published the Announcement for Proposals on May 21 and is inviting eligible creators to submit their proposals by Tuesday, June 30.

About the NASA Creator Proposals Opportunity

The NASA Creator Proposals opportunity is part of the agency’s wider effort to share the human stories, technical achievements, scientific goals, and future possibilities connected to its missions.

NASA is currently working on major programs that could shape the future of space exploration and aviation. These include the Artemis Moon missions, the development of future lunar infrastructure, nuclear propulsion technologies, missions connected to Mars exploration, and advanced aeronautics research.

Through this opportunity, NASA wants creative partners who can help translate these complex missions into stories that the public can understand, appreciate, and engage with.

In this initial round, NASA is seeking up to 10 partners through unfunded Space Act Agreements. These partnerships will allow selected creators to work with NASA in sharing stories, insights, and educational content related to selected agency missions and programs.

What NASA Is Looking For

NASA is looking for creators who can present strong storytelling ideas connected to the agency’s missions and innovation areas.

Eligible creative professionals may include:

1. Filmmakers
2. Documentarians
3. Songwriters
4. Storytellers
5. Poets
6. Creative producers
7. Multimedia creators
8. Other content creators with strong storytelling proposals

The agency is especially interested in proposals that can help communicate the stories behind NASA’s missions, not just the technical details. This means applicants should think about how their creative work can explain the significance, challenges, human effort, innovation, and future impact of NASA’s work.

NASA Mission Areas Covered by This Opportunity

NASA has identified several areas of focus for this opportunity. Applicants can submit proposals connected to one or more of these mission areas.

1. Artemis Program and Future Moon Missions

One of the major focus areas is NASA’s Artemis program.

The Artemis program is NASA’s effort to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future deep space exploration. Through Artemis, NASA aims to establish a long-term human presence on and around the Moon while developing the knowledge, technologies, and systems needed for future missions to Mars.

The opportunity mentions several Artemis-related areas, including:

• The Artemis program as a whole
• The recently added Artemis III mission in 2027
• The Artemis IV lunar landing in 2028
• NASA’s plans to develop a Moon Base
• Broader stories connected to lunar exploration and future human presence on the Moon

Creators interested in space exploration, human achievement, science communication, lunar missions, and the future of humanity beyond Earth may find this area especially suitable.

2. Nuclear Propulsion and Mars Exploration

NASA is also inviting proposals connected to its advancement of nuclear propulsion.

Nuclear propulsion is an important area of future space exploration because it could support faster and more efficient travel beyond Earth orbit. This technology could play a key role in future missions to Mars and other deep space destinations.

The announcement specifically mentions NASA’s nuclear propulsion work, including:

• The Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission to Mars in 2028
• The Skyfall payload
• Broader innovation in nuclear propulsion for future space missions

This focus area may be ideal for creators interested in futuristic technology, engineering, Mars exploration, science storytelling, and the next generation of space travel.

3. NASA Aeronautics and Aviation Innovation

NASA’s work is not limited to space exploration. The agency is also involved in cutting-edge aviation research and aeronautics innovation.

Through flight tests and other aviation-focused efforts, NASA continues to contribute to the future of air travel, aircraft performance, flight safety, sustainability, and advanced aviation technology.

Creators may submit proposals focused on NASA’s aviation work, including:

• Flight tests
• Aeronautics research
• Advanced aircraft concepts
• Innovation in aviation technology
• Stories behind NASA’s work in improving air travel and flight systems

This area may appeal to creators interested in aviation, engineering, technology, climate-conscious transport innovation, and the future of flight.

Nature of the Partnership

Selected creators will enter into unfunded Space Act Agreements with NASA.

This means the opportunity is a partnership arrangement rather than a traditional funded grant. NASA is not offering direct funding under this opportunity. Instead, selected partners may receive collaboration opportunities that could include access to NASA expertise, facilities, personnel, mission insights, or other support depending on the approved proposal and NASA’s needs.

Applicants should clearly explain what kind of support they need from NASA to carry out their project.

Possible needs may include:

• Access to NASA facilities
• Access to NASA personnel
• Interviews with mission teams
• Technical background information
• Mission-related insights
• Coordination support
• Visual, educational, or archival resources where available
• Other specific support required to complete the proposed creative work

Applicants should also clearly explain their own funding and distribution plans.

What Proposals Should Include

NASA has stated that proposals should include clear details about the applicant’s area of focus, funding arrangements, distribution approach, and specific needs from the agency.

A strong proposal should likely explain:

1. The mission area of interest
   Applicants should state whether they want to focus on Artemis, Moon missions, nuclear propulsion, Mars-related innovation, aeronautics, or another NASA mission area.
2. The creative concept
   Applicants should describe the story they want to tell and why it matters.
3. The format of the project
   This may include a film, documentary, song, poetry project, storytelling series, digital media project, educational content, or another creative format.
4. The intended audience
   Applicants should explain who the project is designed for, such as students, general audiences, science enthusiasts, educators, families, young people, or global audiences.
5. Funding arrangements
   Since this is an unfunded partnership, applicants should explain how the project will be financed or supported.
6. Distribution arrangements
   Applicants should explain how the final creative work will reach audiences. This may include film festivals, streaming platforms, social media, schools, museums, public events, media outlets, or digital platforms.
7. Specific support needed from NASA
   Applicants should be clear about any access, interviews, facilities, personnel, or mission information they need from NASA.
8. Production timeline
   A clear timeline can help NASA understand whether the project is realistic and achievable.
9. Experience and capacity
   Applicants should show that they have the skills, creative experience, or team capacity needed to deliver the proposed project.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity is primarily focused on U.S. creators.

However, NASA has indicated that it will consider proposals that include a minority of international participants. This means international creators may be included as part of a proposal, but the opportunity is mainly intended for U.S.-based creators or U.S.-led creative teams.

Applicants should review the full requirements carefully before submitting.

Why This Opportunity Matters

NASA’s missions are some of the most important scientific and technological efforts in the world. However, these missions are not only about rockets, aircraft, spacecraft, engineering systems, or scientific instruments. They are also about people, imagination, discovery, risk, innovation, and the future of humanity.

Creative professionals play an important role in helping the public connect emotionally and intellectually with science and exploration.

Through storytelling, film, music, poetry, documentary work, and multimedia content, creators can help audiences understand:

• Why NASA’s missions matter
• How space exploration benefits humanity
• What challenges scientists and engineers are solving
• How aviation and space technology affect everyday life
• What the future of the Moon, Mars, and deep space exploration may look like
• How young people can be inspired to pursue science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics

This opportunity gives creators a chance to help shape how the public experiences and understands NASA’s next chapter.

Deadline for Applications

The deadline to submit proposals is Tuesday, June 30.

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full requirements and prepare a detailed proposal before the deadline.

Application Link

Full requirements and application details are available here:

https://go.nasa.gov/CreatorProposals

Contact Information

For further information, applicants may contact:

Camille Gallo
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Phone: 202-358-1600
Email: camille.m.gallo@nasa.gov

Cheryl Warner
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Phone: 202-358-1600
Email: cheryl.m.warner@nasa.gov

Final Thoughts

The NASA Creator Proposals 2026 opportunity is a unique chance for creative professionals to partner with one of the world’s leading space and aeronautics agencies. Whether through film, documentary, music, poetry, storytelling, or multimedia production, selected creators will have the opportunity to help communicate the stories behind NASA’s missions and innovations.

For creators passionate about space exploration, science communication, aviation, the Moon, Mars, and the future of humanity, this opportunity offers a powerful platform to contribute to public understanding and inspiration.

Applicants should prepare strong, clear, and realistic proposals that explain their creative vision, distribution plan, funding arrangements, and the support they would need from NASA.

Deadline: Tuesday, June 30

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