ROSES 2008 Living With a Star Targeted Research and Technology Strategic Capability | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2008 Living With a Star Targeted Research and Technology Strategic Capability (NNH08ZDA001N)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) known as ROSES 2008 (Funding Opportunity Number NNH08ZDA001N). It is run through NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate and is part of NASA's annual ROSES solicitation that invites proposals for basic and applied research and technology across space and Earth science topics.

Who is the sponsoring agency?

The opportunity is administered by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), through NASA Headquarters and the Science Mission Directorate.

What is the overall purpose of ROSES 2008?

In practical terms, the solicitation aims to fund work that strengthens NASA's science pipeline, ranging from early-stage theory and data analysis through instrument and technology development that can feed future missions.

How broad is the scope of the solicitation?

The scope is intentionally broad and spans multiple NASA research programs, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. The solicitation is organized into multiple individual program elements under the larger ROSES umbrella.

What types of activities and projects does NASA support under this NRA?

The solicitation includes (among other areas):

• Theoretical studies, modeling, and analysis of existing NASA science data
• Investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, and suborbital sounding rockets
• Development of experimental techniques and measurement approaches suitable for future missions
• Concept development for new space missions
• Advanced technology development tied to Science Mission Directorate needs
• Laboratory and analytical work supporting interpretation of spacecraft observations
• Analysis techniques for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate Earth-observing mission data
• Determination of key atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret remote sensing or sample data
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns
• Integrated Earth system model development
• Applied information systems that translate Earth science research into usable societal or decision-support products

Is this a single grant, or are there multiple sub-opportunities?

ROSES 2008 is an umbrella solicitation made up of multiple individual program elements. Each element has its own details, including deadlines, funding ranges, points of contact, and (on Grants.gov) its own identifier and application package.

What are the typical award sizes?

Award sizes vary widely by program element and the nature of the proposed work. NASA indicates that some awards may be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts like data analysis, while others can exceed $1 million per year for large, resource-intensive activities such as building and maturing science experiment hardware.

How much total funding is available per program element?

Each program element has its own available funding range. The announcement describes element funding as generally spanning from less than $1 million total up to several million dollars. This range can result in NASA selecting anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals per element, depending on priorities and proposal quality.

How long is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is about four years, though certain program elements may allow shorter or longer durations.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

The opportunity is open to essentially all organization types, with no restriction on teaming. Examples explicitly described include universities, companies, nonprofits, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, other U.S. government agencies, and both domestic and foreign organizations.

Are foreign organizations allowed to participate?

Yes, foreign organizations may participate. However, NASA's policy for collaborations involving non-U.S. organizations is that they must be done with no exchange of funds. In general, NASA does not provide funding directly to the non-U.S. entity even if it participates scientifically.

Is teaming or partnering allowed?

Yes. The posting states there is no restriction on teaming, and the opportunity is open to a wide range of organization types.

Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?

No. The administrative details indicate there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What category is this opportunity listed under?

The posting characterizes the opportunity as discretionary and within the science and technology and other research and development activity category.

When was the ROSES 2008 NRA expected to be posted?

The ROSES 2008 NRA was expected to be posted around February 15, 2008 on the NSPIRES website.

When are proposals due?

Proposal due dates vary by program element. The announcement indicates that due dates for various elements begin May 9, 2008 and extend through March 27, 2009. Separately, one listing shows an original and current closing date of October 17, 2008, reflecting that elements can have differing windows even while the overall ROSES solicitation spans many months.

Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

Many program elements request a Notice of Intent. The earliest NOI deadlines mentioned begin March 14, 2008. Whether an NOI is needed depends on the specific program element.

Where do applicants submit proposals?

Proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES or via Grants.gov, depending on the element and submission route used.

Who is allowed to submit the proposal?

Proposals must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative rather than informally by an individual researcher.

What registrations are required to apply?

Organizations intending to apply must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered there as well. In addition, all principal investigators and other named participants must have NSPIRES registrations.

Why does NASA recommend registering early?

NASA explicitly advises applicants to start registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute access or submission problems.

How can applicants find the individual program elements on Grants.gov?

Applicants can use Grants.gov Advanced Search and enter the funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N to retrieve the list of posted elements. Each element then has its own associated identifier and application package.

What funding instruments might NASA use for awards?

Awards may be issued using several funding instruments depending on the situation, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

What are the posted date, closing date, and archive date shown for this listing?

The administrative details for this particular listing show a posted date of July 25, 2008, an original and current closing date of October 17, 2008, and an archive date of November 16, 2008.

Who should applicants contact with questions?

Program-specific questions should be directed to the individual program officers listed in each program element. General policy and procedure questions are routed to the ROSES leadership contact identified in the announcement.