NASA announced on Monday that it will host a virtual town hall on October 26 to present its revised Competition Model 2.0 (CM 2.0), a new framework for selecting science missions more efficiently. The initiative, led by Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Nicola Fox, aims to reduce the time required to move from concept to mission approval across all science divisions.

The current process, which involves a two-step pathway with extensive documentation requirements, has historically taken up to 35 months from the initial Announcement of Opportunity to final selection. Under CM 2.0, NASA plans to cut this timeline by as much as 45 percent, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 selection processes expected to conclude in approximately 19.5 months for mid-scale missions and 19 months for smaller missions.

Key changes include a shift toward evaluating proposals based primarily on scientific merit rather than engineering detail or cost estimates during early stages. Phase 1 will require only a science case, a science implementation plan, and a proof-of-concept design, reducing the initial submission burden by roughly half. This approach is intended to level the playing field for smaller institutions and independent principal investigators, who often lack the resources to produce lengthy technical proposals.

For larger missions, including flagship-class projects, the process will follow a streamlined two-step model. The first step focuses solely on scientific priorities, while the second involves a mission implementation study conducted by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center or Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Selected teams will progress to Phase A with institutional support, while non-selected teams will be released from further obligations.

NASA also plans to integrate commercial space industry capabilities into mission development, encouraging the use of standardized spacecraft buses, subsystems, and multi-mission operations where beneficial. This collaboration aims to leverage industry advancements to reduce costs and accelerate timelines across mission classes.

Cost and schedule discipline will remain central to the new model. Breaches of control thresholds may result in mission termination, ensuring fiscal responsibility. NASA Centers will be directed to coordinate work more effectively, minimizing internal competition and maximizing expertise utilization.

Fox emphasized that the changes are designed to respond to community feedback and accelerate the delivery of scientific results. 'Great science deserves great stewardship,' she stated in the announcement. 'By competing on science first, established teams and first-time teams stand on equal footing. The best idea wins.'

The virtual town hall will provide an opportunity for researchers and stakeholders to ask questions about the implementation of CM 2.0. NASA has indicated that feedback gathered during this session will inform future refinements to the process.

The initiative reflects broader efforts to modernize NASA’s mission selection framework in response to evolving technological landscapes and growing demand for scientific exploration beyond Earth.