# NASA NIAC advanced space technology funding > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-niac-advanced-space-technology-funding > Updated: 2026-08-17T01:01:24.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. NASA has allocated $3.2 million to fund 18 projects through its Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Each selected project receives up to $175,000 for a nine-month feasibility study to evaluate visionary technologies for lunar, Martian, and deep-space missions. The research portfolio includes a diverse range of concepts, such as using controllable dust clouds for solar-radiation management, stackable solar sails, and radioisotope-heated EVA suits for lunar nights. Other initiatives involve exploring Saturn’s rings with a swarm of 10,000 femtosatellites and developing hardened instrumentation for Venus. Specific focus has also been placed on the exploration of Titan, where NASA is investing in small flying robots equipped with LIDAR and chemical sensors to navigate complex cave environments. These efforts aim to identify technical obstacles and provide the “breakthrough innovation needed to sustain a permanent lunar presence and push humanity toward Mars and beyond.” ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: NASA funds 18 advanced technology concepts for space exploration NASA has awarded $3.2 million to 18 NIAC projects, including the development of mini-robots to explore Titan's caves and technologies for lunar, Venusian, and interstellar exploration. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-funds-18-advanced-technology-concepts-for-space-exploration ### 2026-07-29: NASA Announces 2026 NIAC Phase I Award Winners for Advanced Space Concepts NASA’s NIAC program awarded 18 Phase I grants in 2026, totaling $3.2 million, to develop breakthrough concepts such as a solar‑dust “DimSun” geoengineering idea, lunar underground explorer, solar sails, and a 1 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-announces-2026-niac-phase-i-award-winners-for-advanced-space-concepts --- Cite as: NASA NIAC advanced space technology funding. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-niac-advanced-space-technology-funding