RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN AERONAUTICS – 2016 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2016

1) What is NASA's Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) 2016?

ROA 2016 is a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) issued by NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) to fund aeronautics research. It covers work ranging from foundational, discipline-based research to larger, system-level concepts, with the goal of advancing NASA's aeronautics priorities.

2) What is the main purpose or intent of this solicitation?

The intent is to move NASA's aeronautics priorities forward by supporting research areas NASA is already pursuing internally while bringing in outside expertise. NASA is seeking to strengthen research results, speed technology maturation, and connect ideas to practical demonstrations aligned with ARMD strategic goals.

3) Where are the specific technical research topics described?

The detailed technical topics are organized into appendices rather than being fully listed in the main synopsis. The appendices lay out the individual thrusts and task areas, including what NASA wants done, expected scope, and any special requirements or constraints for each topic.

4) Is ROA 2016 one program or multiple competitions?

ROA 2016 functions as an umbrella aeronautics research competition. The main announcement provides overarching rules and structure, while the appendices define the specific research areas and tasking NASA intends to fund.

5) Who is managing this opportunity?

The opportunity is managed by NASA Headquarters under the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD).

6) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NNH16ZEA001N.

7) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.002.

8) When was ROA 2016 posted and when did it close?

It was posted on April 18, 2016, and the application closing date was April 30, 2017.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many types of entities. However, applicants are expected to read the full solicitation and the relevant appendix carefully because individual appendices may impose additional eligibility limits or other topic-specific requirements.

10) Can universities, industry, non-profits, and research institutions apply?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly frames the opportunity as encouraging collaboration between NASA and universities, industry, non-profits, research institutions, and other organizations to help achieve ARMD strategic goals.

11) What kind of collaboration does NASA expect?

Collaboration is a central theme. Many competed projects are designed with hands-on NASA involvement or coordination in mind, rather than being purely independent, offsite research. Applicants should be prepared for a project structure where NASA technical staff may be actively engaged during the period of performance.

12) What types of awards might NASA make under ROA 2016?

NASA indicates that most selections are anticipated to be issued as cooperative agreements or contracts, although grants are also possible. The specific award instrument depends on the nature of the proposing organization, how the work will be managed and performed, and what the relevant appendix topic requires.

13) How does NASA decide between a grant, cooperative agreement, and contract?

The solicitation directs proposers to consult Section D of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Funding Announcement for a fuller explanation. In general terms, the more NASA anticipates substantial programmatic involvement during performance, the more likely a cooperative agreement or contract is appropriate.

14) Does NASA expect substantial involvement during project performance?

Often, yes. Because ROA 2016 emphasizes collaboration and coordination, NASA notes that many projects will involve NASA participation during performance, which can influence the choice of cooperative agreement or contract rather than a traditional grant.

15) What is the typical period of performance for ROA 2016 projects?

ROA 2016 generally expects a typical period of performance of about three years.

16) Can project periods be shorter or longer than three years?

Yes. Some appendix areas may specify shorter efforts, while others may allow longer projects, up to a maximum of five years. Applicants should rely on the appendix guidance for the topic they are proposing.

17) Where can applicants find proposal due dates?

Proposal due dates are not embedded in the general description. They are provided in Tables 3 and 4 at the end of the full NRA, and applicants are expected to follow appendix-specific timelines if those differ.

18) Do different appendices have different schedules or deadlines?

Yes. The general instruction is to use the due dates in Tables 3 and 4 and to follow appendix-specific timelines when they differ from the general schedule.

19) What kinds of outcomes is NASA looking for?

The solicitation signals interest in work that can produce measurable progress within a few years. Depending on the appendix-defined goals, outcomes may include new theory, validated models, prototypes, experiments, ground or flight demonstrations, or other results aligned with the task areas described in the appendices.

20) Are the appendices important beyond just describing the topic area?

Yes. The appendices are where NASA describes the specific thrusts and task areas, expected scope, and any special requirements or constraints. They may also include topic-specific requirements that can affect eligibility, performance expectations, or how the work must be conducted.

21) Are there any special considerations for international participation?

Yes. NASA notes a key policy consideration: NASA typically conducts research with non-U.S. organizations on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. International partners may be able to collaborate, but generally should not expect NASA to transfer funding to them unless explicitly allowed under specific arrangements.

22) If eligibility is unrestricted, can an appendix still limit who can apply?

Yes. While the overall opportunity is broadly open, the solicitation notes that individual appendices can include additional eligibility limits or other constraints that applicants must follow.

23) What types of appendix-specific requirements might apply?

The opportunity summary notes that appendices can include additional eligibility limits, cost-sharing expectations, teaming preferences, data rights considerations, security/export control constraints, or other topic-specific requirements.

24) How should an applicant choose what to propose?

Applicants are expected to match their proposals to one or more appendix task areas and propose a scope that is consistent with NASA's expectations for that area, including any special requirements or constraints stated in the appendix.

25) Is this considered a federal discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The public listing describes this as a discretionary federal R&D funding opportunity.