Proposal Submission Instructions

Before submitting a proposal, ensure you have reviewed the following:

• The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) facility overview
• Available crew windows and scheduling constraints
• Equipment and resources available at the station
• Previous research conducted at MDRS

Proposals should be developed with input from your institution's research office to ensure compliance with any applicable regulations.

The Mars Society encourages all researchers to familiarize themselves with the International Guidelines and Standards for Space Analogs (IGSA-STD-1), a comprehensive framework for safety, operations, and scientific integrity at analog space missions. The standard is relatively new, developed under the leadership of Colonel Jenni Hesterman, and represents where the analog research community is heading. While not yet a strict requirement, the Mars Society aspires to align MDRS and FMARS operations with IGSA-STD-1 and we ask that proposers consider it when designing their research.

IGSA-STD-1 covers the following areas relevant to your proposal:

• Operational Preparedness — Mission objectives, equipment training, simulation protocols, and pre-mission communication requirements
• Safety Protocols — Emergency procedures, medical support, environmental monitoring, fire safety, and hazard/risk reporting
• Crew Selection & Training — Physical, psychological, and team training requirements including health and safety certification
• Research & Scientific Integrity — Clear hypotheses, IRB approval for human subjects research, contribution to the Analog Astronaut Research Database, and ethics requirements (voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity)
• Data Standards & Confidentiality — HIPAA/GDPR-compliant data handling, anonymization of health information, and professional reporting standards

During submission you will be asked to self-assess your proposal's conformance level with IGSA STD-1 (Section 6.1.3). If your research involves human subjects, you must obtain IRB approval before the mission begins.

Each proposal includes the following sections, in order:

Your methodology section is critical for crew execution. Follow these guidelines:

• Be explicit: Assume the crew has no prior knowledge of your specific research area
• Use numbered steps: Break down procedures into discrete, actionable steps
• Include time estimates: Specify how long each step should take
• Define decision points: Describe what to do if results vary from expectations
• Safety first: Highlight any safety considerations prominently

1. Setup (15 min)
   - Locate equipment in Lab Storage Bay A
   - Verify sensor calibration using reference sample
   - Record ambient conditions in log

2. Data Collection (30 min)
   - Position sensor at marked locations (see diagram)
   - Take reading, wait 60 seconds, repeat 3x
   - If variance > 5%, recalibrate and restart

After submission, your proposal will go through the following review process:

1. Initial Screening: Staff review for completeness and feasibility within 5 business days
2. Technical Review: Subject matter experts evaluate methodology and resource requirements
3. Scheduling Assessment: Coordination team matches proposal to available crew windows
4. Final Approval: Program director signs off on accepted proposals

You will receive status updates via email at each stage. The typical review cycle is 3-4 weeks.

Understanding data ownership and intellectual property:

• Raw data collected by crews remains property of the research PI
• The Mars Society retains rights to use anonymized data for program improvement
• Publication rights remain with the research team
• Acknowledgment of MDRS and the Mars Society is required in publications

For specific IP concerns or institutional requirements, contact the program office before submission.