Formulation
Step 1: Development of program and project objectives responsive to the national need, as well as the tailoring of program and project research plans consistent with National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy and aligned with the agency mission and resources. Content includes research relevance and impact, technical challenges, research approach, deliverables, resources, and schedule. Prioritization of work is in accordance with overall national impact and NASA's major strengths and capabilities. Execution is performed by multi-center, multidisciplinary teams across the areas of Subsonic Fixed Wing, Subsonic Rotary Wing, Supersonics, and Hypersonics.

Execution
Step 2a: Solicitation of interest in key areas from the external community to form non-reimbursable partnerships. The Space Act Agreements entered into by NASA and a partner engage each in mutually beneficial cooperative research activities in support of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program. Such partnerships leverage opportunities that would not be available otherwise, thus maximizing the return on investment to the taxpayer. Memoranda of Understanding will be used to foster partnerships with other government agencies.

Step 2b: Issuance of NASA Research Announcements (NRAs) to solicit proposals for a variety of topics in aeronautics foundational research that are being pursued by NASA personnel. One of the key objectives of the NRA investment is to stimulate close collaboration among NASA researchers and NRA award recipients to ensure effective knowledge transfer. Awards are made as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, depending on the nature of the proposing organization and/or program requirements. The period of performance for an award is typically three years, although a shorter or longer (maximum of five years) period may be specified.

Step 3: Development of detailed multi-year task plans including (1) facility and skill requirements and (2) participation of the external community (NRA recipients and industrial partners and OGA).

Implementation
Step 4: Assessment of long-term research needs and goals; progress toward current goals; and overall quality and impact of work accomplished in the Fundamental Aeronautics Program utilizing an external peer-review process. Program, project, and task plans are updated on an annual basis.