2026 NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium

The NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium is our chance to exchange ideas, best practices, methodologies, and lessons learned. The NASA cost, schedule, and EVM communities include civil servants and contractors from all Centers as well as HQ and represent an essential function to the Agency. We look forward to seeing the tradition of the Agency's finest analysts and estimators at NASA continue to make our community better.

The 2026 NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium (NCSS) will be held on August 25-27, 2026, at Glenn Research Center (GRC) located at 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135. The Symposium will take place in the Mission Integration Center (MIC) Auditorium, Building 162.

Registration for the Symposium is now open! Registration is free, but you must register if you plan to attend, whether in person or virtually. Registration has been extended through Monday, August 17, 2026, or until capacity has been reached.

Registration through Eventbrite is required to attend the Symposium. This includes:

• In-person attendees
• Virtual attendees
• NASA-badged attendees
• Non-NASA-badged attendees
• International attendees - Please note that due to Glenn Research Center's site access and security requirements, we are unable to accommodate additional international attendees on campus.

NASA civil servants and NASA contractors must also complete required registration through NASA’s Conference Tracking System (NCTS) via NASA Launchpad:

• NCTS Number: 54646-26
• Meeting Name: 2026 NASA Cost & Schedule Symposium

NCTS registration does not replace Eventbrite registration - both registrations are required for NASA civil servants and NASA contractors.

All in-person attendees must comply with NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) access requirements:

• NASA-badged attendees: Must submit a NAMS request for “GRC Physical Access” (ID 232317) via NASA IdMAX.
• Non-badged attendees: Name used in registration must exactly match government-issued REAL ID-compliant identification.
• International attendees: Must contact [email protected] as soon as possible for additional access coordination.

Failure to complete required access steps may result in denial of entry to GRC.

Please note, if you are an international attendee, you may attend the sessions virtually only due to Glenn Research Center's site access and security requirements; we are unable to accommodate additional international attendees on campus.

There will be an Awards Reception on the night of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) located at 601 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114. Attending the Reception is optional and requires a fee. Payment for the reception must be made in advance. The cost to attend the reception is $54.33 (including service and Eventbrite fees).

To attend the meeting and purchase your Awards Reception ticket, select “Symposium and Awards Reception Attendance” when you register. If you are bringing a guest to the reception, you may submit a registration for “Awards Reception ONLY.”

Please note that outside food or beverages are prohibited at the GLSC.

Menu selection will consist of passed appetizers to include Heirloom Tomato & Mozzarella Skewer (V) with Balsamic and Micro Basil, Blue Corn and Chicken Pastor Empanadas with Yogurt Lime Sauce.

Street Taco Station with Roasted Port Carnitas, Chicken Pastor Charred Pineapple, and Elote (V) filling including Mini Corn & Flour Tortillas (V, AVG), Spanish Red Rice (V2, AVG), Charro Beans (V2, AVG), Queso Fresco Crumbles (AVG, V), Chopped Cilantro & Onions (AVG, V2) with Salsa Verde (AVG, V2, and Salsa Quenada (AVG, V2).

(V=vegetarian, V2= vegan, AVG=avoiding gluten)

*Payments for the Awards Reception will not be accepted onsite and are nonrefundable. Prices include service and Eventbrite processing fees.

All detailed symposium information, including:

• Agenda and updates
• Awards program and deadlines
• Awards reception information
• Venue logistics and parking
• Wi-Fi instructions
• Lodging information
• Lunch options and ordering
• Travel guidance and local details
• Important updates and announcements

is maintained on the official NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium website: https://www.nasa.gov/ocfo/ppc-corner/nasa-cost-and-schedule-symposium/

• August 5, 2026 – Registration closes (Symposium + Awards Reception)
• August 5, 2026 – Security request deadline (non-NASA badged attendees)
• August 7, 2026 – Deadline for advance lunch orders

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), led by Sidney Schmidt (Acting Chief Financial Officer), manages the Agency’s budget and financial operations, directs the preparation and submission of annual financial and budgetary reports, and coordinates Agency financial management activities with other federal agencies.

The OCFO provides leadership for the strategic planning, performance reporting, budget analysis, justification, control, and reporting of all Agency fiscal resources; develops the Agency’s detailed strategic plan and performance reports; leads the Agency’s planning, programming, budgeting, and execution process; oversees all financial management activities relating to the programs and operations of the Agency; and monitors and reports the financial execution of the Agency budget. The OCFO was established in accordance with the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (CFO Act), Public Law 101-576.

The Strategic Insights and Budget (SIB) Division, led by Dr. Trinity Bharath, provides comprehensive, Agency-level strategic analyses and performance assessments to inform institutional and programmatic investment options and decision-making to accomplish NASA’s Mission. SIB develops strategic guidance, manages processes, and provides in-depth Agency investment and capability analyses for deliverables required during each phase of the annual Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) process. The division is also responsible for NASA’s performance management system, assessing trends, cross-cutting issues, risks, and portfolio/program progress, and providing recommendations and input for planning and budgetary decisions.

Previously held NASA Cost and Schedule Symposiums can be found at:

• 2018-2021: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hq-ocfo-strategic-investments-division-17332805233
• 2022: 2022 NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium Registration, Tue, April 26, 2022 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite
• 2023: 2023 NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium Registration, Tue, May 2, 2023 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite
• 2024: 2024 NASA Cost and Schedule Symposium Tickets, Tuesday, April 23-Thursday, April 25, 2024 • 8 AM-6 PM | Eventbrite