TRISH calls for innovations to better understand venous thromboembolism in space
The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) at Baylor College of Medicine has released a new solicitation seeking proposals to address venous thromboembolism (VTE), a critical risk to human health during spaceflight.
VTE is the formation of blood clots in veins that can lead to serious medical complications and has recently been identified as a critical risk to human spaceflight. The underlying causes are not fully understood, and effective countermeasures are limited in the spaceflight environment. An untreated thrombus could progress to a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition that could result in death. VTE can ultimately stall mission operations or even return to Earth.
Through this call for proposals, TRISH is seeking innovative approaches to advance the understanding of how VTE develops in the context of spaceflight-associated changes in blood flow, pressure and resistance within the cardiovascular system. The goal is to develop and validate ground-based terrestrial facilities or environments that simulate the extreme conditions of spaceflight that lead to VTE. This advancement of knowledge will help better understand how the condition develops in microgravity. Selected projects will help close key knowledge gaps and support the development of practical solutions for future exploration missions.
“VTE represents a serious and not yet fully understood risk for human spaceflight,” said Dr. Dorit Donoviel, executive director of TRISH and associate professor at Baylor’s Center for Space Medicine. “We are looking for solutions that deepen our understanding of how and why these events occur and translate that knowledge into tools and countermeasures that protect crew members on long-duration missions.”
Selected projects may be awarded up to $500,000. The solicitation is open to United States-based institutions, commercial entities and other research organizations. Selections for this solicitation are anticipated to be made by December 2026 with a project start in February 2027.
The submission deadline for this solicitation is Aug. 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET via GRID.
TRISH is propelling the new space economy to accelerate human exploration and health discovery. Partnered with NASA’s Human Research Program, TRISH ensures astronauts and humans on Earth alike benefit from the latest space health advancements, with research in extreme environments on Earth serving as a proving ground for both human performance in space and terrestrial applications.
Acting as a critical link between the space and health industries, TRISH focuses on operational needs, mission-critical tools and the next generation of leaders. With rigor, agility and efficiency, TRISH advances innovations and collaborations that enable all humans to thrive, wherever they explore.
By Molly Chiu
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