- Type
- Other
- Dates
- Release
- May 21, 2026
- Embedded Creators Proposals Due
- Jul 31, 2026
- Title
- Announcement for Proposals (AFP) for Partnership Agreements for Embedded Creators
- Number
- NNH26ZNA001R
- Pdf Text
- 1
Announcement for Proposals (AFP)
for Partnership Agreements for Embedded Creators
Statement of Purpose
NASA is seeking partners on a nonreimbursable (no exchange of funds) basis to share the
stories behind, and the insights into, a multitude of NASA programs. NASA will support partners
in this effort to share the stories of NASA’s missions with the widest audience possible and
inspire the next generation of explorers.
This AFP outlines the process for a respondent (“Respondent”) to submit a proposal
(“Proposal”) to partner with NASA to tell a story about one or more of the exciting and inspiring
missions NASA is pursuing. NASA welcomes responses from filmmakers, documentarians,
songwriters, storytellers, poets, musicians or other creators – either private individuals, entities
or teams. NASA is looking to entertain proposals from U.S. creators, though proposals which
include a minority of international participants on a team led by a U.S.-entity who will enter
into the Space Act Agreement with NASA will be considered.
In this initial AFP, NASA is seeking creators who wish to tell stories or pursue creative
inspiration around the following NASA programs/missions (each a “Program”):
• The Artemis program, including the updated Artemis III mission
• The Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission
• The development of NASA’s Moon Base
• NASA’s current and future aeronautics efforts
• Other programs of interest to the Respondent (NASA cannot assure access to all
programs, but Respondent is free to submit a Proposal and NASA will review the
feasibility.)
The Proposal should outline (i) the Program the creator chooses to follow, (ii) the proposed
public engagement project in connection therewith (“Project”), (iii) Partner’s existing financing
and distributions arrangements, and (iv) what support it would need from NASA in the way of
existing media or access to facilities and personnel. This AFP is expected to result in NASA
entering into a nonreimbursable (no funds exchanged) Space Act Agreement (“SAA”) with one
or more selected proposing creators that will define the full roles and responsibilities of NASA
and the selected Respondent(s) who will enter into the SAA as a partner (“Partner”). NASA
envisions inviting the Partner(s) to visit the selected Program facilities, learn about the Program
and its missions, interview personnel and spend a few days experiencing what the Program is
about and what it is like to be a part of it.
NASA envisions entering into SAAs with up to ten (10) Partners in this initial round, and
envisions future rounds of AFPs for similar purposes.
2
Background
• The Artemis program, including the updated Artemis III mission
The revised Artemis III mission profile will see NASA’s Orion spacecraft rendevouz and
dock in Earth orbit with one or both Human Landing System (HLS) providers. This will set
up the agency for up to two lunar landing attempts in 2028. NASA is interested in
external storytellers to submit proposals for covering the accelerated Artemis campaign.
• The Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission
NASA is finally getting underway on nuclear propulsion in space and invites creators to
submit proposals to cover this initiative, which will send the Skyfall payload toward
Mars on the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft in 2028.
• The development of NASA’s Moon Base
NASA will build a Moon Base in three phases and invites creators to submit proposals to
cover this exciting endeavor on the lunar surface.
• NASA’s current and future aeronautics efforts
The first ‘A’ in NASA sees the agency pushing the boundaries of aviation through cutting-
edge flight test and other efforts. NASA invites creators to submit proposals to cover
upcoming aviation efforts.
• Other programs of interest as identified in creator submissions
NASA has exciting programs across our aeronautics, space exploration, space technology
development, and science missions. If Respondent would like to identify a Program
other than those listed above, NASA will consider those on an ad hoc basis.
Partner Responsibilities Generally
The SAA will address, among other things, Partner’s responsibilities, including the following,
• Share in advance generalized storyboard or idea for the Project as well as planned
platforms for distribution.
• Identify any requests to use of NASA identifiers (including logo, mission patches, etc.) or
to interview NASA personnel in connection with the Project.
• Provide NASA and anticipated schedule of release.
• Identify contributions required by NASA for success.
3
• Follow NASA guidelines for visiting and interacting with Program, including any
restrictions on accessing, recording or using sensitive, proprietary or export-controlled
equipment, locations or technology. Partner will be accompanied at all times by a
Public Affairs Officer while on NASA facilities and will be expected to comply with their
instructions and directions.
NASA Responsibilities Generally
The SAA will address, among other things, NASA’s responsibilities, including the following,
• Assist in research and identification of existing publicly-available NASA materials which
may be used in the Project.
• Review materials for technical accuracy and conformance with the SAA and NASA
requirements, including appropriate use of NASA identifiers.
• Facilitate and arrange, on an as available and non-interference basis, for escorted access
to NASA facilities and personnel for a period of time sufficient for the Project, but not
expected to exceed fourteen working days (contiguous or spaced as works best for
Partner’s planned Project). Actual on-site access may be limited based on safety,
mission operations, and Public Affairs Office availability. Access typically consists of
scheduled interviews, tours, and controlled observation periods
Form of Agreement & Term of Agreement
NASA intends to enter into an SAA with the selected Partner(s) in a form similar to the model
agreement shown in Appendix A (the “Model Agreement”). Non-reimbursable SAAs are formal
partnership agreements involving NASA and a Partner in a mutually beneficial activity that furthers
NASA’s mission, where each party bears the cost of its participation, and there is no exchange of
funds between the parties. Each selected respondent will sign an SAA with NASA that identifies
the responsibilities of the parties.
NASA requests that respondents review the Model Agreement prior to preparing and
submitting the Proposal. If there is a particular reason a respondent is unable to agree to
specific requirements or terms of the Model Agreement, the respondent shall include with the
Proposal a request for required modifications to the Model Agreement. To determine whether
NASA is willing to accommodate the required modifications, NASA will assess each required
modification against technical goals, fairness, efficiency, and available resources. If NASA
chooses not to consider the modifications, then NASA may reject the Proposal. Otherwise,
NASA will contact the respondent to discuss the requested modifications as outlined in the
evaluation criteria. NASA intends to treat all participants equitably, and wishes to expedite the
Project once selected, so changes to the standard provisions of the Model Agreement are not
anticipated, and NASA will favor working with proposers who are able to sign the Model
Agreement. However, NASA recognizes that some changes to implementation may be
appropriate based on the specifics of a particular Proposal.
4
General Conditions
NASA, a taxpayer-funded Agency, is Federally-mandated to disseminate information to the
widest audience in the most timely and accurate manner possible. As a government agency,
NASA will review content generated by the Project strictly for technical accuracy and
compliance. NASA does not provide editorial approval and does not serve as a co-producer,
co-promoter, co-distributor, or marketing partner. Original content produced by a Partner that
uses imagery and audio collected as part of the Project – aside from any publicly available NASA
media incorporated into the content – will be owned by Partner as provided in the Model
Agreement.
Partner Eligibility and Requirements
Eligibility:
All respondents and proposals must comply with the following to be considered:
• Proposed Project is consistent with NASA mission, objectives, and values.
• No requirement of Agency or personal endorsement or personnel participation in
advertising or marketing by NASA, its officials or employees.
• Compliance with applicable Federal laws.
• Respondents should identify in the Proposal their citizenship, if they are individuals,
or their country of charter if entities, and the location of their principle place of
business. Non-U.S. citizens, or non-U.S. entities should note and comply with the
below Participant Requirements.
Participant Requirements:
• Performance of activities under this AFP may require access to data that is subject to
export control regulations. Any proposer shall comply with all U.S. export control
laws including Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in
Arms Regulations (ITAR). Respondents are responsible for ensuring that all
employees who will work on this proposal and any resulting agreements are eligible
under export control laws, EAR, and ITAR. Any employee who is not a U.S. citizen or
a permanent resident may be restricted from participating in this project if
technology is restricted under export control laws, ITAR, or EAR unless the prior
approval of the Department of State or the Department of Commerce is obtained.
Violations of export control limitations can result in criminal or civil penalties. Some
NASA facilities, technologies, or personnel interactions may not be available due to
export control restrictions. NASA will coordinate allowable access during the
planning process.
• Proposals must NOT include bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination
with China, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria or any company or entity owned by
any of the aforementioned countries, whether funded or performed under a no
5
exchange of funds arrangement, unless such activities are other specifically
authorized by law. By submitting a Proposal, respondents are certifying that the
Proposal does not include bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination
with the aforementioned countries or entities by NASA.
Instructions for Proposal Preparation
Interested parties or “Respondents” must submit a Proposal addressing the items in this AFP in
the form and manner set out herein.
General:
Proposals should describe a Project focused on one of the Programs.
Respondents should outline specifics of how their Project can help inspire Americans in science,
math, engineering, technology or exploration.
Requirements:
The Proposal shall address, and will be evaluated on, the following requirements:
Requirement 1: Project.
Describe the proposed Project, including the anticipated content to be produced as a result of
the Project. Identify and describe the manner in which the Respondent’s Project will engage the
public in the following three criteria:
1. Quality of creative at final audience utilization.
2. Distribution mechanisms and ability of the Project to reach large audiences.
3. Potential to enhance public understanding of the selected Program and its missions as
they pertain to human and scientific exploration.
Documentation in the proposal that addresses these four criteria should include:
• Specific platforms on which Respondent will distribute its content, and the audience(s)
to whom the Project content will be addressed.
• Specific NASA media to be used to complement media acquired by Partner if it may
affect scope or timely release of the Project.S
• If the Respondent’s Project team will include international entities, the Proposal should
identify these international entities and the roles they will play in the Project.
• Anticipated schedule for Project completion and release.
• Information on depth of potential penetration into the viewing population (e.g.
awareness of, and access to, the imagery/experience application across multiple
platforms) and demonstrated track record in funding and execution of past projects.
6
NASA evaluators will review the Proposal and, based upon their reasonable technical opinion,
determine how well it meets the goals of the four Requirement 1 criteria. A scale of 1 to 10 will
be used to assess each criterion. A score of 1 will indicate the evaluator’s opinion that the
Proposal does not meet the criterion, while a score of 10 will indicate the evaluator’s opinion
that the Proposal fully meets the criterion. The total awarded the four criteria (maximum 40)
will indicate the evaluators’ level of satisfaction that the Project will reach a large audience with
quality, unique storytelling, and a production that is compelling and enhances public
understanding of program of interest.
Requirement 2: NASA Access.
Identify in the Proposal the access to the Program which Respondent will need in connection
with the Project, namely,
1. The number of days, up to fourteen (14) total, the Respondent would hope to be
embedded with the Program.
2. Any specific personnel associated with the Program that Respondent would hope to
interview.
3. Any specific facilities associated with the Program which Respondent would hope to
tour.
NASA evaluators will review the Proposal and, based upon their reasonable technical opinion,
determine whether the NASA access needs are achievable or reasonable based on NASA
availability, and the quality and reach of the Project. Evaluation of creative formats such as
music, poetry, or fine arts will focus on narrative impact and public engagement rather than
technical depth. A scale of 1 to 10 will be used to assess this requirement. A score of 1 will
indicate the Proposal outlines NASA access requirements excess to NASA’s availability or out of
proportion to the Project’s quality and reach, while a score of 10 will indicate a Proposal that
outlines NASA access requirements fully consistent with NASA’s availability and/or wholly in
proportion to the Project’s quality and reach.
Requirement 3: Acceptance of Model Agreement.
The intent of including the Model Agreement with this AFP is for each respondent to be aware
of the terms of the SAA NASA expects to enter into with the selected Partner. If there is a
particular reason the respondent is not able or willing to agree to specific requirements or
terms of the Model Agreement, the respondent should submit any required modifications to
the Model Agreement with the Proposal. Each required modification will be assessed by the
government against technical goals, fairness, efficiency, and available resources, and determine
if the government is willing to accommodate the required modifications. Any required or
requested deviations from the Model Agreement must be acceptable to NASA in all respects. If
NASA does not wish to consider the proposed modifications then the Proposal may be rejected
on that basis.
Accordingly, the Proposal should include:
7
• The Model Agreement completed with respondent’s name where indicated, with blanks
completed, and attachments affixed, as outlined in the Model Agreement.
• If applicable, respondent should describe the modifications required as a condition to
signing the Model Agreement, or indicate respondent’s willingness to sign an SAA in the
form of the Model Agreement.
No points will be added or subtracted from respondent if the Proposal is returned with a
completed Model Agreement or required modifications to the Model Agreement. If
modifications are required, NASA may, in its discretion, choose to reach out to respondent to
discuss the required modification(s), or choose to reject the Proposal from further
consideration. NASA may make final selections on one or more Proposals without finalizing an
SAA with each successful respondent, but NASA reserves the right to withdraw a selection if the
parties are unable to finalize and sign an SAA within a reasonable period of time following
selection as determined by NASA in its sole discretion.
Proposal Submission
This request has no relationship to any other NASA request. Participation in this effort is strictly
voluntary. NASA is not obligated to bear any cost associated with proposal development or, if
selected, those incurred by the respondent related to their responsibilities under the
agreement. All proposal information shall be contained in the Proposal; exterior references are
unacceptable. Respondents or respondent’s Authorized Organizational Representative will be
sent an acknowledgement of the receipt of their materials. Any questions regarding this AFP
should be submitted via email to the identified point of contact.
Submissions must be provided electronically in a single unlocked PDF document via the NASA
Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES;
https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/). Submittals should be limited to no more than ten
pages (excluding the NSPIRES cover page and the Model Agreement or modifications thereto
required by respondent), double-spaced, 1” margins using Times New Roman 12-point type.
Respondents must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM;
https://sam.gov/) and have a Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE; https://cage.dla.mil/)
number and Unique Entity ID (UEI; https://sam.gov/) number in order to register their
organization in NSPIRES. Respondents new to NSPIRES should visit and register with SAM,
CAGE, and DUNS early in the process. Respondents are recommended to begin this process at
least 15 business days before the deadline in order to complete organization registration in
SAM (which is a prerequisite to registering the organization in NSPIRES). Requests for assistance
in accessing and/or using NSPIRES may be directed by email to nspires-help@nasaprs.com or by
telephone to 202-479-9376 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00PM Eastern Time. FAQs may
be accessed through the Proposal Online Help site at
https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/help.do. Submissions must be received no later than
11:59 pm Eastern time, on July 31, 2026.
8
Proposals submitted in response to this AFP will not be returned. Respondents are encouraged
to limit the amount of Proprietary Data (defined below) included in their proposal, and only
include such information that is necessary to meet the proposal requirements listed in this AFP.
Respondents must clearly mark any Proprietary Data in their proposal. For purposes of this AFP,
“Proprietary Data” shall mean information set out in the proposal embodying trade secrets
developed at private expense or commercial or financial information that is privileged or
confidential, and that includes a clear restrictive notice, unless the information is (i) known or
available from other sources without restriction, (ii) known, possessed, or developed
independently, and without reference to such marked information in the proposal, (iii) made
available by the owners to others without restriction, or (iv) required by law or court order to
be disclosed. With respect to such Proprietary Data NASA shall:
a. Use, disclose, or reproduce such Proprietary Data only as necessary to evaluate the
proposal;
b. Safeguard such Proprietary Data from unauthorized use and disclosure;
c. Allow access to such Proprietary Data only to its employees requiring access for
purposes of evaluating the proposal;
d. Except as otherwise indicated in c., preclude disclosure outside NASA;
e. Notify its employees with access about their obligations under this AFP and ensure
their compliance; and
f. Dispose of such Proprietary Data after evaluation of the proposal has concluded.
Evaluation and Award Process
Evaluation:
Pre-screening: Proposals will be pre-screened for compliance with proposal requirements,
including page limitations, eligibility requirements, NASA partnership agreement requirements,
and format. Proposals that do not conform to the standards outlined in this AFP may be
declared non-compliant and rejected without further review. Proposals that include a list of
required modifications to the Model Agreement will be handled in the manner set forth above.
NASA will evaluate each of the complete proposals using the requirements and evaluation
criteria listed above.
If NASA determines in its discretion that due diligence is needed with the highly rated
respondents, it will be conducted via teleconferences and/or email with invited respondents
that were highly rated. Not all highly rated proposals will require due diligence. If a
teleconference is needed, the respondent will be provided advance notice. NASA will provide
the respondent with a list of questions and/or obtain verbal clarification of information
provided in the Proposal. Final Proposal ratings may be updated due to results of due diligence.
At the conclusion of successful due diligence discussions, respondents may be required to
provide revised information.
9
Award:
After completing due diligence, NASA will present the results of the proposal evaluation to a
designated Selection Official. The Selection Official will consider the scores from the technical
evaluation as well as programmatic considerations, such as portfolio balance, proposed
partnerships, availability of funds, involvement of international participants, and other
programmatic considerations. The Selection Official may assemble a portfolio of one or more
respondents whose Proposals received the highest scores and can be supported by NASA within
available resources.
Upon selection, NASA will contact each selected respondent to finalize an SAA based on the
Model Agreement, including completing the Exhibits to the SAA based on the information
provided in the Proposal, and taking into account any required modifications the respondent
included in its Proposal. Selection of a Proposal with required modifications does not mean
NASA agrees to adopt such modifications. NASA reserves the right to withdraw a selection if the
parties are not able to finalize and sign an SAA within a reasonable period of time following
selection as determined by NASA in its sole discretion. All respondents who submitted
complete proposals will be notified of their selection status and provided feedback. NASA
reserves the right to select some or none of the proposals it receives in response to this AFP.
Email inquiries to:
Email: HQ-CommsProposals@mail.nasa.gov
When appropriate, questions and responses will be posted, with identifying information
removed, in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) posted on the NSPIRES index page for this
AFP.
10
Appendix A
NONREIMBURSABLE SPACE ACT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
AND [______]
FOR MODEL AGREEMENT
ARTICLE 1. AUTHORITY AND PARTIES
In accordance with the National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. § 20113(e)), this
Agreement is entered into by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, located at 300
E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546 (hereinafter referred to as "NASA") and [_______] located
at [_______] (hereinafter referred to as "Partner" or "Partner"). NASA and Partner may be
individually referred to as a "Party" and collectively referred to as the "Parties."
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE
This Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") shall be for the purpose of enabling
collaboration between NASA and Partner to support Partner in its development of original
content based off Partner embedding for a brief time in a NASA program (“Program”) as further
described in Exhibit A attached hereto, and using publicly available NASA media and
information ("NASA Materials"), and as further described in the attached Exhibit B (the
"Project").
Creative content developed by Partner in consequence of this Agreement shall be referred to
herein as "Project Content."
ARTICLE 3. RESPONSIBILITIES
A. NASA will use reasonable efforts to:
1. Support the Project and the development of Project Content by (i) facilitating the Program
visit as outlined in Exhibit A, and (ii) working with Partner to identify and provide publicly
available information and imagery on the Program, and (iii) consulting with Partner on technical
accuracy and accurate treatment of NASA-related subject matter to be included in the Project. As
outlined in Exhibit A, facilitate periodic informational exchanges between NASA and Partner to
provide opportunities for Partner to interview NASA experts subject to their availability and in
accordance with standard NASA processes. Partner acknowledges and agrees that using the
audio recording, video clip or photographic image of any person for commercial purposes may
infringe that person's right of privacy or publicity. Accordingly, Partner shall obtain a release, in
a form mutually acceptable to the Parties, from all identifiable persons who appear in an audio
recording, video clip or photographic image used in the Project Content or promotions for the
Project Content. NASA will assist in identifying the individual.
11
2. Partner acknowledges and agrees that it bears the responsibility to obtain any necessary
permission or release from said individual. Partner recognizes that NASA does not permit
likenesses of current employees to be used to endorse or promote commercial products including
the Project.
3. Review final Project and Project Content designs, storyboards, educational content,
promotional materials, and any other content produced by Partner that utilize the NASA
Materials or Program Materials (defined in Exhibit A) for technical accuracy at a point when
changes can still be made in order to facilitate accuracy and fidelity to NASA missions and
content, and to ensure compliance with this Agreement.
4. Provide opportunities for access to NASA facilities and personnel in connection with creation
of Project Content as outlined in Exhibit A.
B. Partner will use reasonable efforts to:
1. Execute the Project, including the design, development and distribution of Program-themed
Project Content to the public. The principle theme of the Project Content will be the Program.
Artistic control of the Project Content shall rest with Partner.
2. Partner will visit the Program, interact and interview Program personnel, and tour Program
facilities, as further outlined in Exhibit A. Partner shall be accompanied at all times by a NASA
Public Affairs Officer, and will abide by all reasonable directions of the PAO, and otherwise
comply with rules applicable to visitors of the Program or the NASA Center and facilities.
3. Permit NASA to review and provide feedback on Project and Project Content, including as
applicable, designs, storyboards, educational content, promotional materials, and any other
content produced by Partner which utilize the NASA Materials or Program Materials for
technical accuracy. Review will be at a point when changes can still be made in order to facilitate
accuracy and fidelity to NASA missions and content, and ensure compliance with this
Agreement.
4. Identify to NASA in advance requests to interview NASA personnel or to access NASA
facilities in connection with the Project and the Program visit outlined in Exhibit A. Access
requests to these activities must be coordinated with reasonable lead time to allow proper
clearances for access and subject to standard NASA policies and procedures.
5. Make a percentage of the Project Content publicly available at no cost via online or other
mechanisms for the duration of this Agreement.
6. Include the following wording in the end titles or credits incorporated into the Project Content:
"Produced in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration."
7. Provide metrics related to Project activities for use in internal NASA analytics about NASA
outreach and STEM engagement partnerships.
12
ARTICLE 4. SCHEDULE AND MILESTONES
The planned major milestones for the activities defined in the "Responsibilities" Article are as
follows:
Anticipated Period Partner will visit NASA as part of the Project TBD
Anticipated Release of Project to the public TBD
ARTICLE 5. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
There will be no transfer of funds between the Parties under this Agreement and each Party will
fund its own participation. All activities under or pursuant to this Agreement are subject to the
availability of funds, and no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to require
obligation or payment of funds in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, (31 U.S.C. § 1341).
ARTICLE 6. PRIORITY OF USE
Any schedule or milestone in this Agreement is estimated based upon the Parties' current
understanding of the projected availability of NASA goods, services, facilities, or equipment. In
the event that NASA's projected availability changes, Partner shall be given reasonable notice of
that change, so that the schedule and milestones may be adjusted accordingly. The Parties agree
that NASA's use of its goods, services, facilities, or equipment shall have priority over the use
planned in this Agreement. Should a conflict arise, NASA in its sole discretion shall determine
whether to exercise that priority. Likewise, should a conflict arise as between two or more non-
NASA Partners, NASA, in its sole discretion, shall determine the priority as between those
Partners. This Agreement does not obligate NASA to seek alternative government property or
services under the jurisdiction of NASA at other locations.
ARTICLE 7. NONEXCLUSIVITY
This Agreement is not exclusive; accordingly, either Party may enter into similar agreements for
the same or similar purpose with other private or public entities.
ARTICLE 8. LIABILITY
A. Each Party hereby waives any claim against the other Party or one or more of its Related
Entities (defined below) for any injury to, or death of, the waiving Party or one or more of its
Related Entities, or for damage to, or loss of, the waiving Party's property or the property of its
Related Entities arising from or related to activities conducted under this Agreement, whether
such injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise, except in the case of
willful misconduct.
13
B. Partner further agrees to extend this waiver to its related entities by requiring them, by
contract or otherwise, to waive all claims against NASA and its Related Entities for injury, death,
damage, or loss arising from or related to activities conducted under this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Related Entities" shall mean contractors and subcontractors of a
Party at any tier; grantees, investigators, customers, and users of a Party at any tier and their
contractors or subcontractor at any tier; or, employees of the Party or any of the foregoing.
C. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article, the waivers of liability set forth in this
section shall not be applicable to:
i. Claims between a Party and its own Related Entity or between its own Related Entities;
ii. Claims made by a natural person, his/her estate, survivors, or anyone claiming by or through
him/her (except when such person or entity is a Party to this Agreement or is otherwise bound by
the terms of this waiver) for bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of, or death of, such
person;
iii. Claims for damage caused by willful misconduct;
iv. Intellectual property claims;
v. Claims for damage resulting from a failure of a Party to extend the waiver of liability to its
Related Entities, pursuant to paragraph B of this Article; or
vi. Claims by a Party arising out of or relating to another Party's failure to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 9. LIABILITY AND RISK OF LOSS - PRODUCT LIABILITY
With respect to products or processes resulting from a Party's participation in an SAA, each
Party that markets, distributes, or otherwise provides such product, or a product designed or
produced by such a process, directly to the public will be solely responsible for the safety of the
product or process.
ARTICLE 10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - DATA RIGHTS
A. General
1. "Contributing Entity" means a contractor, subcontractor, or other entity having a legal
relationship with NASA or Partner that is assigned, tasked, or contracted to perform activities
under this Agreement.
2. "Data" means recorded information, regardless of form, the media on which it is recorded, or
the method of recording.
3. "Proprietary Data" means Data developed at private expense that embody trade secrets or are
commercial or financial and confidential or privileged, and that includes a restrictive notice,
unless the Data is:
a. known or available from other sources without restriction;
b. known, possessed, or developed independently;
c. made available by the owners to others without restriction; or
d. required by law or court order to be disclosed without restriction.
14
4. "Background Data" means Partner's Proprietary Data developed outside of this Agreement.
5. "Third Party Proprietary Data" means Proprietary Data of third parties that disclosing Party
has agreed to protect or where the Government is required to protect under federal law (e.g., 18
U.S.C. §1905).
6. "Controlled Government Data" means information the United States Government creates or
possesses that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls.
7. Data exchanged under this Agreement is exchanged without restriction except as otherwise
provided herein.
8. Notwithstanding any restrictions provided in this Article, the Parties are not restricted in the
use, disclosure, or reproduction of Data provided under this Agreement that meets one of the
exceptions in 3., above. If a Party believes that any exceptions apply, it shall notify the other
Party before any unrestricted use, disclosure, or reproduction of the Data.
9. If the Parties exchange Data having a notice that the receiving Party deems is ambiguous or
unauthorized, the receiving Party shall notify the disclosing Party. If the notice indicates a
restriction, the receiving Party shall protect the Data under this Article until otherwise directed in
writing by the disclosing Party.
10. The Data rights herein apply to the employees and Contributing Entities of Partner. Partner
shall ensure that its employees and Contributing Entity employees know about and are bound by
the obligations under this Article.
11. Disclaimer of Liability: Neither Party is restricted in, or liable for, the use, disclosure, or
reproduction of Proprietary Data without a restrictive notice. NASA is not restricted in, or liable
for, the use, disclosure, or reproduction of Data Partner gives, or is required to give, the U.S.
Government without restriction.
12. Partner may use the following or a similar restrictive notice:
Proprietary Data Notice
The data herein include Proprietary Data and are restricted under the Intellectual Property - Data
Rights provisions of Space Act Agreement [provide applicable identifying information].
Partner should also mark each page containing Proprietary Data with the following or a similar
legend: "Proprietary Data – Use And Disclose Only Under the Notice on the Title or Cover
Page."
B. Data First Produced by Partner Under this Agreement
If Data first produced by Partner or its Contributing Entities under this Agreement is given to
NASA, and the Data is Proprietary Data, and it includes a restrictive notice, NASA will use
reasonable efforts to protect it. The Data will be disclosed and used (under suitable protective
conditions) only for U.S. Government purposes.
C. Data First Produced by NASA Under this Agreement
If Partner requests that Data first produced by NASA under this Agreement be protected, and
NASA determines it would be Proprietary Data if obtained from Partner, NASA will both mark
it with a restrictive notice and use reasonable efforts to protect it for [insert a period of up to 5
years, typically 1 or 2 years] after its development. During this restricted period the Data may be
disclosed and used (under suitable protective conditions) for U.S. Government purposes only,
15
and thereafter for any purpose. Partner must not disclose the Data without NASA's written
approval during the restricted period. The restrictions placed on NASA do not apply to Data
disclosing a NASA owned invention for which patent protection is being considered.
D. Publication of Results
The National Aeronautics and Space Act (51 U.S.C. § 20112) requires NASA to provide for the
widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the
results thereof. As such, NASA may publish unclassified and non-Proprietary Data resulting
from work performed under this Agreement. The Parties will coordinate publication of results
allowing a reasonable time to review and comment.
E. Data Disclosing an Invention
If the Parties exchange Data disclosing an invention for which patent protection is being
considered, and the disclosing Party identifies the Data as such when providing it to the receiving
Party, the receiving Party shall withhold it from public disclosure for a reasonable time (one (1)
year unless otherwise agreed or the Data is restricted for a longer period herein).
F. Copyright
1. Data exchanged with a copyright notice and with no restrictive notice is presumed to be
published. The following royalty-free licenses apply:
i. If indicated on the Data that it was produced outside of this Agreement, it may be
reproduced, distributed, and used to prepare derivative works only for carrying out the
receiving Party's responsibilities under this Agreement.
ii. Data without the indication of F.1. is presumed to be first produced under this
Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph E. of this Article, and in the
Invention and Patent Rights Article of this Agreement for protection of reported
inventions, the Data may be reproduced, distributed, and used to prepare derivative works
for any purpose.
2. Partner shall own, exclusively and in perpetuity, all right, title and interest, in the Project
Content (at all stages of development, production and completion), and in any and all derivative
works, and the entire copyright to all extensions and renewals thereof and all neighboring rights,
trademarks and any and all other ownership and exploitation rights in the Project Content and in
any and all derivative works, now or hereafter recognized in any and all territories and
jurisdictions including, by way of illustration, production, reproduction, distribution, licensing,
adaptation, performance, fixation, rental and lending rights, exhibition, broadcast and all other
rights of communication to the public, the right to produce sequels thereto and remakes thereof
and all other types of derivative works based thereon, and, all clip licensing rights, music and
music publishing rights, soundtrack album and other soundtrack exploitation rights,
merchandising rights, publishing rights, radio rights, stage rights and promotional and
advertising rights and the right to exploit the Project Content and derivative works throughout
the universe in perpetuity in all media, markets and languages and in any manner now known or
hereafter devised. For clarity, Partner shall have the right to license and/or assign, all or part of,
16
any of its rights in and into the Project Content and in any and all derivative works to any third
party in Partner’s sole discretion.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Partner shall not have the right to
separately exploit or claim ownership of the NASA Materials or Program Materials, except as
those materials appear in or are utilized in the Project Content.
G. Data Subject to Export Control
Whether or not marked, data subject to the export laws and regulations of the United States
provided to Partner under this Agreement must not be given to foreign persons or transmitted
outside the United States without proper U.S. Government authori
- Documents
- Title
- Embedded Creators Announcement for Proposals
- Directorate
- Office of Communications
- File Excerpt
- 1 Announcement for Proposals (AFP) for Partnership Agreements for Embedded Creators Statement of Purpose NASA is seeking partners on a nonreimbursable (no exchange of funds) basis to share the stories behind, and the insights into, a multitude of NASA programs. NASA will support partners in this effort to share the stories of NASA’s missions with the widest audience possible and inspire the next generation of explorers. This AFP outlines the process for a respondent (“Respondent”) to submit a proposal (“Proposal”) to partner with NASA to tell a story about one or more of the exciting and inspiring missions NASA is pursuing. NASA welcomes responses from filmmakers, documentarians, songwriters, storytellers, poets, musicians or other creators – either private individuals, entities or teams.
- Release Date
- May 21, 2026
- Contact Email
- nspires-help@nasaprs.com
- Contact Phone
- 202-479-9376
- Proposals Due
- Jul 31, 2026
