Research Opportunites in Space Biology (ROSBio) - 2016 "Appendix B: Research Opportunities for Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Space Biology to Study the Microbiome of the ISS as a Built Environment: Using ISS as a Microbiological Observatory" National | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is “Research Opportunities in Space Biology (ROSBio) - 2016, Appendix B”?

ROSBio-2016, Appendix B is a NASA funding opportunity focused on postdoctoral fellowship research in space biology. This Appendix is centered on studying microorganisms associated with the International Space Station (ISS), treating the ISS as a long-running “microbiological observatory” and a closed, human-occupied built environment.

2) What is the main scientific idea behind this opportunity?

The central idea is to study how microorganisms continuously arrive, persist, compete, adapt, and evolve in the ISS environment. The ISS is described as a closed, highly managed habitat with unusual conditions such as microgravity, elevated radiation, controlled air and water systems, persistent human presence, and structured cleaning/maintenance practices.

3) Why does NASA consider the ISS microbiome important?

NASA frames this as both a spaceflight and Earth-relevant problem. Understanding the ISS microbiome can help improve astronaut health and spacecraft reliability, and can also generate insights relevant to tightly controlled human environments on Earth (for example hospitals, submarines, and Antarctic stations).

4) What makes Appendix B distinctive compared to generic microbiome research solicitations?

Projects must use a specific NASA resource: a curated collection of microbial isolates collected from the ISS over roughly a decade (or more) and archived at NASA Johnson Space Center. Proposals are expected to design experiments around these preserved ISS isolates, rather than proposing purely theoretical studies or unrelated microbiome sampling efforts.

5) What specific resource is required for proposed projects?

The required resource is a curated archive of microbial isolates collected from the ISS environment over many years and maintained at NASA Johnson Space Center.

6) What types of research questions does NASA emphasize for this Appendix?

The solicitation emphasizes investigating how microbial communities colonize the station, how strains and communities adapt to the ISS environment, and how they may evolve over time. Because the isolates span many years, they can support questions about long-term persistence, strain-level change, selection pressures unique to the ISS, and how management strategies (like cleaning and maintenance) influence microbial ecology.

7) How does this opportunity connect to other NASA solicitations?

Appendix B exists under the broader NASA Omnibus Research Announcement ROSBio-2016 (NNH16ZTT001N NRA). It is made available through NASA’s NSPIRES system under Open Solicitations.

8) Is there a partnership involved outside NASA?

Yes. The Appendix is paired with a parallel effort involving the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation through a Space Act Agreement, with the joint intent to support complementary studies that improve understanding of the ISS as a built-environment microbiome and inform future human-occupied exploration vehicles.

9) How does NASA describe its selection priorities for this Appendix?

NASA notes that selection priorities are guided in part by the National Research Council 2011 Decadal Survey, “Recapturing a Future for Space Exploration: Life and Physical Sciences Research for a New Era.” Proposals are expected to connect clearly to NASA life sciences priorities and the broader exploration research roadmap.

10) How many awards does NASA anticipate making?

NASA anticipates making up to two awards under this Appendix.

11) What is the planned award period and budget?

Each award is planned as a two-year grant with a total budget of about $140,000.

12) When was Appendix B expected to be released and where would it be posted?

The Appendix was expected to be released around September 15, 2016 and made available through NASA’s NSPIRES system under Open Solicitations.

13) What were the key deadlines mentioned?

A mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI) was due October 31, 2016 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Full proposals were due November 30, 2016 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. NASA projected selection announcements around March 1, 2017.

14) Is the Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

Yes. The NOI is described as mandatory and is emphasized as a planning tool to help NASA organize peer review.

15) Where must the Notice of Intent (NOI) be submitted?

NOIs had to be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA’s system). The solicitation specifically notes that even if full proposals could be submitted via NSPIRES or Grants.gov, the NOI had to be submitted via NSPIRES.

16) Where can full proposals be submitted?

Full proposals could be submitted via NSPIRES or Grants.gov, according to the information provided.

17) Who is the target applicant audience for this Appendix?

Eligibility is aimed at early-career scientists transitioning into postdoctoral research.

18) What career-stage situations are explicitly eligible?

Applicants could be in the final year of a PhD (or equivalent) program, already be a postdoctoral fellow, or have earned a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DDS, DVM, or equivalent) within the prior two years but not yet started postdoctoral training.

19) What citizenship or residency rules apply?

Participation is restricted to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals with pre-existing visas sponsored by their institutions that allow postdoctoral training for the duration of the project.

20) What are the requirements for the sponsoring/host institution?

The sponsoring institution must be a U.S. academic, government, or commercial organization able to provide appropriate postdoctoral mentorship. Proposals need a credible training and supervision plan anchored by an eligible U.S. host organization.

21) Are collaborations allowed?

Yes. Collaboration is encouraged and may include partners from universities, federal laboratories, industry, state and local government labs, and international collaborators.

22) Are there any collaboration restrictions called out explicitly?

Yes. Collaborations with China are not allowed, reflecting NASA statutory and policy constraints. Applicants would need to account for this in team composition and any data or materials sharing arrangements.

23) What does NASA say about NSPIRES registration and submission roles?

The submission process depends on NSPIRES registration and role-based access. Organizations intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES and identify authorized organizational representatives who can submit proposals electronically.

24) Who needs to be registered in NSPIRES for a complete electronic proposal package?

In addition to the organization, the individual postdoctoral applicant, the principal investigator mentor, and other participants must be registered, because the proposal package depends on each person’s NSPIRES profile and assigned roles.

25) What practical submission advice does NASA provide?

NASA advises applicants to begin NSPIRES registration and system familiarization well before deadlines, because last-minute registration issues can prevent submission even if the proposal is otherwise ready.

26) What is the solicitation type and why does it matter?

NASA identifies the solicitation as a Broad Agency Announcement under FAR 6.102(d)(2). This matters because it indicates NASA is seeking to stimulate research and advance knowledge rather than procure a product or service.

27) What kind of award instrument will NASA use?

NASA states resulting awards will be grants or cooperative agreements rather than procurement contracts. The level of NASA involvement may differ depending on whether a grant or cooperative agreement is used.

28) Who is the programmatic point of contact?

Programmatic (scientific) questions are directed to Dr. David L. Tomko, Program Scientist for Space Biology in NASA’s Life and Physical Sciences Division at NASA Headquarters.

29) Who is the contracting/award administration point of contact?

Contracting and award administration questions are directed to Benjamin S. Benvenutti at NASA Shared Services Center.

30) What outcomes does NASA expect this Appendix to support?

Appendix B is designed to leverage a longitudinal archive of ISS-derived microbial isolates to answer fundamental and applied questions about microbial behavior in a closed space habitat, with relevance to astronaut health, spacecraft operations, and built-environment science on Earth.