ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Theory and Fundamental Physics | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Theory and Fundamental Physics (ATFP)

1) What is "ROSES 2008 ATFP"?

ROSES 2008 Astrophysics Theory and Fundamental Physics (ATFP) is a program element within NASA Headquarters funding opportunity NNH08ZDA001N, issued under the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES 2008) NASA Research Announcement. In other words, ATFP is one slice of a much larger, agency-wide research solicitation managed under the ROSES umbrella.

2) How does ATFP relate to the broader ROSES 2008 solicitation?

ATFP sits within ROSES 2008, which covers many different program elements and research topics supporting NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities across Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. ATFP indicates a focus area within Astrophysics, but applicants still need to treat it as part of the larger ROSES framework where individual elements have their own instructions and due dates.

3) What kinds of work does NASA say it is willing to fund under ROSES 2008?

The solicitation describes a wide scope of work NASA may fund, including basic and applied research and enabling technologies tied to NASA mission needs. Examples explicitly mentioned include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; technology and concept development for future missions; laboratory and analytical work that supports mission science; and applied information systems that translate research data into societal benefits.

4) Is this opportunity limited to theory-only proposals?

No. While ATFP highlights a theory and fundamental physics focus area within Astrophysics, ROSES 2008 broadly includes theoretical, computational, observational, laboratory-based, data analysis, and technology-driven work, as long as the proposal clearly connects to NASA mission needs, mission data, or mission-enabling capabilities.

5) What data sources or platforms are included in the scope?

NASA explicitly includes analyzing and interpreting data from space missions and suborbital platforms, including aircraft, balloons, and sounding rockets.

6) Does ROSES 2008 support technology or instrumentation concept development?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes developing new experimental techniques and instrumentation concepts that could mature into future flight investigations, as well as advancing technologies relevant to NASA missions.

7) Does the solicitation include laboratory and sample-analysis work?

Yes. ROSES 2008 highlights laboratory and analytical work that supports mission science, including methods for analyzing extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth observations. It also mentions determining atomic and compositional parameters needed to correctly interpret remote sensing and sample-based measurements.

8) Are Earth system activities included in ROSES 2008?

Yes. The announcement calls out integrated Earth system modeling, field campaigns tied to NASA observations, and applied information systems intended to translate research data into societal benefits.

9) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels and award sizes are described as highly variable depending on the specific program element and the proposed work. The announcement states that smaller, focused efforts can be funded at under $100,000 per year, while larger, more complex activities (such as substantial hardware or experiment development) can exceed $1 million per year.

10) How much total funding is available for a given program element, and how many awards might be made?

For each program element, NASA indicates total available funds may range from under $1 million to several million dollars. Because of that range (and because award sizes vary), the number of awards can range from just a handful to several dozen. NASA notes this depends on factors such as submission quality, program priorities, and the type of work proposed.

11) What award instruments might NASA use?

The solicitation allows multiple award mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The appropriate instrument depends on the proposing organization and the program requirements.

12) What is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years, although some program elements may specify shorter or longer durations.

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly open and essentially unrestricted by organization type. Eligible proposers include universities and other educational institutions, private industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other government agencies. Participation from U.S. and non-U.S. entities is allowed, and teaming arrangements are not restricted.

15) Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and can they receive NASA funds?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but NASA states its standard rule that investigations involving non-U.S. organizations must be conducted with no exchange of funds. In practical terms, NASA generally will not transfer award funds to non-U.S. entities even if they are involved in the project through other arrangements.

16) What are the key dates mentioned for ROSES 2008?

ROSES 2008 uses many individual program elements with different deadlines. Notices of Intent (NOIs) are requested for most elements, with early NOIs starting March 14, 2008. Proposal due dates begin May 9, 2008 and extend through March 27, 2009 across different program elements. For the listing details provided here, the posting date is March 6, 2008, the original and current closing date is May 30, 2008, and the archive date is June 29, 2008.

17) Do all program elements share the same deadline?

No. Because ROSES is a collection of program elements, applicants are expected to verify the exact due date that applies to the specific ATFP/program element they are targeting.

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

The announcement says NOIs are requested for most elements, with early NOIs starting March 14, 2008. Since ROSES elements differ, applicants should confirm the NOI expectation for the specific program element they plan to submit to.

19) How do applicants submit proposals?

Submission is electronic and must be completed by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) and, in many cases, through Grants.gov as well.

20) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

Every proposing organization must be registered in NSPIRES. In addition, all principal investigators and other participants (including co-investigators) must also be registered in NSPIRES.

21) What registrations are needed if submitting through Grants.gov?

Organizations submitting via Grants.gov must be registered there in addition to being registered in NSPIRES. The registrations must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who can formally submit proposals.

22) Who is allowed to formally submit the proposal?

The solicitation states that proposals must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization (meaning the authorized organizational representative identified in the relevant systems).

23) Where can applicants find the specific ROSES program elements and application packages?

Applicants are directed to locate ROSES program elements either on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage (accessed through NSPIRES) or via Grants.gov using the funding opportunity number search method.

24) What funding opportunity number should applicants use on Grants.gov to find ROSES 2008 elements?

The announcement explains that searching Grants.gov for the funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N returns a list of posted ROSES program elements. Each element may have its own associated funding number and downloadable application package.

25) Who should applicants contact for questions?

For topic-specific guidance, applicants are directed to the Program Officers listed in each program element's Summary of Key Information. For general policy and procedure questions, the announcement directs applicants to Dr. Yvonne Pendleton, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis at NASA Headquarters (contact information is referenced as provided in the solicitation text).

26) Any practical submission advice mentioned in the announcement?

Yes. NASA strongly advises applicants to begin registrations and system familiarization well ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute submission problems.