ROSES 2008 Atmospheric Composition Surface, Balloon, and Airborne Observations | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the ROSES 2008 Atmospheric Composition Surface, Balloon, and Airborne Observations opportunity?

This is a NASA research funding opportunity that sits within 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. This particular focus area emphasizes atmospheric composition research using surface-based measurements, balloon platforms, and airborne observations.

How does this opportunity fit within ROSES 2008?

ROSES 2008 is an umbrella solicitation that supports a wide range of basic and applied research and technology development aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) priorities across Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. The "Atmospheric Composition Surface, Balloon, and Airborne Observations" opportunity is one part of that larger set of ROSES 2008 program elements.

What types of projects and activities can be proposed under this opportunity?

The solicitation invites proposals that can include (but are not limited to):

• Analysis of NASA science data
• Theory and modeling studies
• Development and use of aircraft investigations
• Development and use of stratospheric balloon investigations
• Other suborbital research approaches (including sounding rockets, where relevant)
• Development of experiment techniques and instrumentation for potential future NASA missions
• Maturation of advanced technologies relevant to SMD mission needs
• Formulation of concepts for future missions
• Laboratory and analytical efforts (including methods for analyzing returned extraterrestrial samples and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth observation data)
• Determination of atomic and composition parameters needed to interpret space-based measurements
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting NASA missions
• Integrated Earth system model development
• Applied research activities that translate Earth science data into usable information for societal benefit through applied information systems

Is the opportunity limited only to atmospheric composition research?

This specific focus area emphasizes atmospheric composition research using surface, balloon, and airborne observations. However, it is part of ROSES 2008, which spans many related science and technology areas across multiple NASA science divisions.

What funding amounts are available?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the scope and type of work proposed. The solicitation notes that smaller, narrowly focused efforts (such as targeted data analysis) may be funded at under $100,000 per year, while larger, resource-intensive projects (such as development of science experiment hardware) may exceed $1,000,000 per year.

How much total funding is available within a given program element?

NASA indicates that funding available within each specific program element ranges from less than $1 million to several million dollars. Because of that range, the number of awards can vary from only a few selections to several dozen, depending on program objectives and the quality and quantity of proposals received.

What is the typical project period or duration?

Typical project periods are described as four years, although some ROSES 2008 elements may specify different durations.

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Awards may be issued through multiple mechanisms depending on the proposing organization and program needs. The solicitation lists grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers as possible mechanisms.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open and described as essentially unrestricted across organization types. Eligible applicants include universities and other educational institutions, private industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, other U.S. government agencies, and domestic or foreign entities.

Can foreign organizations participate?

Yes, foreign entities can participate, but international collaboration is subject to NASA's policy that collaborations involving non-U.S. organizations must be done on a "no exchange of funds" basis. In practical terms, NASA generally will not transfer money to non-U.S. partners even if they participate scientifically.

How are proposals submitted?

Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational official through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or via Grants.gov. NASA emphasizes early preparation due to registration and submission requirements.

What registration requirements apply?

Registration requirements apply to both organizations and individual investigators:

• Any organization submitting must be registered in NSPIRES.
• Organizations using Grants.gov must also be registered in Grants.gov, with Authorized Organizational Representative information set up in advance.
• All principal investigators and other named participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES as well.

Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

Most program elements request an electronic Notice of Intent (NOI). The first NOI due date listed for ROSES 2008 is March 14, 2008, though requirements can vary by program element.

When are proposals due?

Proposal due dates begin May 9, 2008 and extend through March 27, 2009 depending on the specific program element. For the posted Grants.gov record associated with this opportunity, the listed closing date is July 15, 2008, with an archive date of August 14, 2008.

How do I find the specific program element to apply to?

Applicants are directed to locate individual ROSES 2008 program elements through Grants.gov by using the "Advanced Search" function and entering the funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N. This pulls up the list of posted elements, after which you select the specific element of interest and download the application package.

Who should I contact for technical questions about a specific element?

For element-level technical questions, NASA directs applicants to the Program Officers identified in each program element's Summary of Key Information.

Who is the contact for general solicitation policies and procedures?

For general solicitation policies and procedures, the listed contact is Dr. Yvonne Pendleton, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis in NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters (email: sara@nasa.gov; phone: 202-358-1182).

What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The ROSES 2008 solicitation is identified as NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH08ZDA001N.

How is this opportunity categorized on Grants.gov?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding. The activity area is listed as science and technology and other research and development, and the funding instruments include grants and cooperative agreements.