Application Details

We are looking for early career post-docs and graduate students, with an interest in becoming more involved in astrobiology-focused space missions. When applying, please be prepared to provide brief professional information and answer some open-ended questions. Applications will be reviewed by our selection committee and all personal information will be kept confidential.

If you are currently a citizens of, or were born in, any of the countries specified as restricted on the NASA's Designated Countries list, you will unfortunately not be able to get the security clearance needed for this event and we recommend that you not apply.

If you have questions or need additional information, please email our organizing team at hana.mamnoon@knowinnovation.com

Application Timeline

  • Application opens June 1st, 2025
  • Applicaiton closes June 30th, 2025 (at midnight)
  • Applicaiton decisions shared late July 2025

Click to Apply >>

Event Overview

Location: NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, OH

Dates:

  • Virtual Orientation (90 min): TBD
  • In-Person Workshop: October 20-24th, 2025

What is an Ideation Factory?

Astrobiology Mission Ideation Factories are intensive and interactive workshops focused on developing creative ideas for future life detection missions. These workshops are held for two weeks spread out over two years, and bring together 25-30 early career scientists from a broad range of disciplines to produce radically innovative research proposals that address the biggest questions in astrobiology. During the workshops, participants engage with their colleagues in a creative, free-thinking environment - away from their everyday routines and responsibilities - immersing themselves in a collaborative process developing their own life detection missions. Over the course of the workshops, participants are part of a multidisciplinary group of scientists who work to build a shared understanding of the unique challenges faced by their mission goals, define what their most important research questions are, and generate novel ideas to address these burning science questions.

For more informaiton on what to expect from this type of event, check out What to Expect from a Knowinnovation Event.