ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Data Analysis | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Data Analysis (ADP)

1) What is the ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Data Analysis (ADP) opportunity?

ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Data Analysis (ADP) is a research opportunity under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES 2008) solicitation. ROSES 2008 was issued as NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH08ZDA001N by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate, and it invites proposals across multiple NASA science areas, including Astrophysics. ADP specifically emphasizes research built around analyzing existing science data and related supporting work.

2) What is the purpose or focus of ADP within ROSES 2008?

The ADP focus is aimed at generating new science by analyzing existing astrophysics science data, along with related supporting activities. It fits within ROSES' broader emphasis on theory, modeling, and data analysis as central methods for extracting new science from current and past missions.

3) What kinds of activities does NASA support under ROSES 2008 (in general)?

The ROSES 2008 solicitation describes a broad range of potentially supported activities, including (but not limited to): analysis of NASA science data; development and improvement of modeling and theoretical tools; aircraft and suborbital investigations (balloons and sounding rockets); techniques that could enable future space missions; early concept development for future missions; and advanced technologies relevant to science missions.

4) Does ROSES 2008 include work involving samples or laboratory analysis?

Yes. The solicitation includes laboratory and analytical work connected to extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft or terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret mission observations, as well as work to determine atomic and compositional parameters needed to analyze observations and samples.

5) Is Earth science included in ROSES 2008, and how does that relate to ADP?

ROSES 2008 covers multiple NASA research programs, including Earth Science. The announcement highlights Earth-focused activities such as field campaigns, integrated Earth system modeling, and applied information systems that translate Earth science data into societal benefits. ADP sits within the Astrophysics portion of this broader ROSES ecosystem and is oriented toward research and analysis activities.

6) What funding levels are described for ROSES 2008 awards?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the specific program element and the scope of work. The announcement states awards can range from under $100,000 per year for limited, focused efforts such as data analysis, to more than $1,000,000 per year for large efforts like hardware development.

7) How much total funding might be available within a program element?

The amount available for selections within any given program element ranges from less than one million dollars to several million dollars. This means NASA may fund anywhere from a small handful to several dozen proposals depending on program objectives and the strength of the proposal pool.

8) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.

9) What types of funding instruments might NASA use for awards?

NASA indicates it may issue awards using several different legal instruments depending on the proposing organization and the work being funded. These can include grants and cooperative agreements (and, where appropriate, contracts as well as inter- or intra-agency transfers). For this specific listing, the highlighted instrument types are grants and cooperative agreements.

10) What is the typical period of performance?

A typical period of performance is four years, though some program elements may specify shorter or longer timelines.

11) What is the activity category for this listing?

The activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly open and essentially unrestricted by organization type. NASA allows participation from domestic and foreign organizations, including universities, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other government agencies.

13) Are there limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No limits are stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

14) Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and will NASA fund them?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but a key constraint is NASA's policy that collaborations involving non-U.S. entities must be conducted with no exchange of funds. In other words, NASA generally does not provide funding directly to the non-U.S. partner, even if the collaboration is otherwise allowed.

15) How is the solicitation accessed and managed?

The solicitation is managed and accessed electronically. ROSES 2008 was expected to be available around February 15, 2008 via NASA's research opportunities homepage, NSPIRES.

16) How do applicants submit proposals?

Proposal submission is electronic and can be done through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

17) What registrations are required before submitting?

Registration requirements are emphasized. Any organization intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting via Grants.gov, the organization must also be registered in Grants.gov. In addition, submissions must come from an authorized organizational representative, and all principal investigators and co-investigators must have NSPIRES registrations as well.

18) Why does NASA encourage early registration and system familiarization?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to begin registration and become familiar with the systems early to avoid last-minute submission problems.

19) What are the proposal due dates under ROSES 2008?

Proposal due dates vary by program element. Under ROSES 2008, due dates begin May 9, 2008 and continue through March 27, 2009, depending on the element.

20) Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

For most program elements, NASA requests a Notice of Intent (NOI) ahead of the proposal. The first NOI due date stated in the solicitation is March 14, 2008.

21) What are the key dates for this specific ADP listing?

For the ADP listing described, key dates shown include a posted date of March 21, 2008, an original and current closing date of June 20, 2008, and an archive date of July 20, 2008.

22) How can applicants find the correct program element on Grants.gov?

To find the relevant program elements on Grants.gov, applicants are instructed to use the Advanced Search and enter the funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N (with the associated program element identifier as applicable) to pull up the posted elements and download the correct application package.

23) Where should program-specific questions be directed?

Program-specific questions are intended to go to the program officers listed in each program element's Summary of Key Information.

24) Who should be contacted for general solicitation policy and procedure questions?

General solicitation policy and procedure questions are directed to Dr. Yvonne Pendleton (Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters) at sara@nasa.gov or by phone at 202-358-1182, as provided in the announcement.

25) What broader science areas does ROSES 2008 cover besides Astrophysics?

ROSES 2008 invites proposals tied to NASA's Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics research programs.