Space RACE Act

S 3198, the Space RACE Act, establishes a National Institute for Space Research (to begin operating by 2026) to manage the transition of U.S. microgravity research from the International Space Station (ISS) to next-generation platforms. The Institute, governed by a multi-agency Board of Directors, will award competitive grants to eligible entities - including universities, nonprofits, and private companies - for research projects aligned with national priorities. It will identify microgravity platforms, develop project guidelines, coordinate flight opportunities, and facilitate collaboration between government agencies, academia, and industry. The bill mandates termination of the ISS National Laboratory once ISS research ends, focusing on minimizing disruption to ongoing research as the U.S. shifts to new space-based research capabilities.