ROSES 2008 Lunar and Planetary Science U.S. Participating Investigator | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2008 Lunar and Planetary Science U.S. Participating Investigator program element, listed as LPSUSPI, under NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES 2008) omnibus solicitation. It is issued by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA).

2) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NNH08ZDA001N (the ROSES 2008 solicitation number). The specific listing referenced is identified as LPSUSPI (Lunar and Planetary Science U.S. Participating Investigator).

3) Is this a single stand-alone program or part of a larger solicitation?

It is part of the larger ROSES 2008 umbrella solicitation. ROSES includes many program elements across multiple science areas, and each element can have its own focus, rules, and deadlines while still being part of the same overarching ROSES solicitation.

4) Which NASA science areas are covered under ROSES 2008?

ROSES 2008 spans multiple NASA science areas, including Lunar and Planetary Science (where LPSUSPI sits) as well as Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics, with separate program elements within each area.

5) What types of work does NASA expect to fund under ROSES?

ROSES invites proposals for basic and applied research and technology development. Examples NASA highlights include theory, modeling, and data analysis using Science Mission Directorate data; development of new experimental techniques enabling future missions; early mission concept work; and maturation of advanced technologies relevant to science missions.

6) Are laboratory, sample, and analog studies included?

Yes. The solicitation includes laboratory and analytical work tied to samples, including extraterrestrial materials returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples used to validate or interpret mission observations.

7) Does ROSES support work needed to interpret spacecraft data and samples?

Yes. NASA notes support for determining atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret spacecraft data and samples.

8) Does ROSES include Earth science observations and applications work?

Yes. Examples include Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting NASA science missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and building systems that translate Earth science research results into practical applications and information systems aligned with NASA objectives and datasets.

9) How much funding is available per award?

Award sizes vary widely by scope and by program element. NASA describes awards that can be under $100,000 per year for narrower efforts (such as focused data analysis) and awards that can exceed $1 million per year for large, resource-intensive activities (such as developing science experiment hardware).

10) How much total funding is available for a program element?

The total amount available for any given program element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, some elements may fund only a handful of proposals while others may fund several dozen, depending on priorities and proposal quality.

11) What award instruments might NASA use?

NASA anticipates making awards using multiple legal instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The applicable instrument depends largely on the nature of the proposing organization and program element requirements.

12) What is the typical project period?

The typical performance period is around four years, but some program elements may specify shorter or longer timelines. Applicants are expected to follow the element-specific instructions rather than assume a single standard period.

13) Who is eligible to participate?

Eligibility is broad and includes educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other government agencies.

14) Are teaming arrangements or collaborations restricted?

No specific restrictions are stated on teaming arrangements or the number of collaborators. However, applicants still need to follow any element-specific rules and NASA policies described in the NRA documentation.

15) Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

International participation is generally allowed only on a "no exchange of funds" basis. This means NASA typically does not send funding directly to non-U.S. entities. NASA funding is generally provided to U.S. institutions.

16) Where should non-U.S. organizations look for detailed guidance?

Non-U.S. organizations are directed to consult the NRA guidebook provisions, including Appendix B and other cited sections, especially for cases involving non-U.S. proposals that include U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

17) What are the key dates for ROSES 2008 overall?

ROSES 2008 proposal due dates begin May 9, 2008 and extend through March 27, 2009. Many program elements also request a Notice of Intent (NOI) in advance, with early NOI deadlines starting March 14, 2008.

18) What are the key dates for this specific Grants.gov listing?

The listing shows a posted/creation date of September 5, 2008; an original and current closing date of December 2, 2008; and an archive date of January 1, 2009.

19) Why are there multiple due dates under ROSES?

ROSES is organized into many program elements, each with its own schedule. This is why there is an overall ROSES date range and separate element-by-element deadlines and optional/required NOI dates.

20) How do proposals have to be submitted?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized official of the proposing organization (not only by the principal investigator acting alone).

21) What submission systems can be used?

Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov, depending on the program element and the applicant's chosen route.

22) Does my organization need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. Any organization intending to apply must be registered in NSPIRES.

23) What registrations are required if submitting via Grants.gov?

If submitting via Grants.gov, the organization must also be registered there. The registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who are allowed to transmit proposals.

24) Do principal investigators and co-investigators need NSPIRES accounts?

Yes. All principal investigators and other named participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES.

25) What does NASA recommend regarding registrations and system readiness?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to complete registrations and become familiar with NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov well ahead of deadlines to avoid preventable submission issues.

26) How do I find the correct application package on Grants.gov for a specific ROSES element?

Use the Grants.gov Advanced Search and enter the ROSES solicitation number (NNH08ZDA001N) in the funding opportunity number field. This returns a list of associated program elements; select the specific element number to download the correct application package.

27) Who should I contact with program-element specific questions?

Program-element specific questions should be directed to the relevant Program Officers listed in that element's Summary of Key Information.

28) Who should I contact with general questions about NRA policies and procedures?

General questions about NRA policies and procedures are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, as listed in the announcement.