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ROSES 2008 Mars Data Analysis (NASA ROSES 2008 / NRA NNH08ZDA001N) - FAQs

1) What is the ROSES 2008 Mars Data Analysis opportunity?

ROSES 2008 Mars Data Analysis is a program element 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 under the Science Mission Directorate. This particular element focuses on scientific work that extracts new results from existing Mars-related datasets, typically emphasizing analysis, interpretation, modeling, and synthesis of already-collected mission data rather than building new flight hardware.

2) Is Mars Data Analysis a standalone solicitation or part of a larger NASA call?

It is part of the larger ROSES 2008 solicitation (NRA NNH08ZDA001N). ROSES 2008 spans multiple NASA science areas, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics, and it supports a broad range of research and technology activities depending on the specific program element.

3) What types of work does NASA say ROSES 2008 supports (in general)?

Across ROSES 2008, NASA describes a wide range of eligible research and related activities, including: theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; aircraft, balloon, and suborbital investigations; new experiment techniques for future missions; mission and instrument concepts; advanced technologies relevant to Science Mission Directorate goals; laboratory analysis methods for extraterrestrial returned samples and terrestrial analog samples used to validate mission observations; determination of atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret measurements and samples; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions; integrated Earth system modeling; and applied systems that translate Earth science data into societal benefits.

4) What is the emphasis of the Mars Data Analysis element specifically?

The emphasis is on producing new scientific results from existing Mars-related datasets. The solicitation description highlights analysis, interpretation, modeling, and synthesis of already-collected mission data. It contrasts this with building new flight hardware, which is generally not the focus of a Mars data analysis track (even though other ROSES elements may support hardware development).

5) What is the funding opportunity number for ROSES 2008?

The ROSES 2008 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) funding opportunity number is NNH08ZDA001N. NASA indicates applicants can use this number in Grants.gov Advanced Search (with a Grants.gov suffix used for individual elements) to find specific program element entries and the correct application package.

6) How much funding is available and what are typical award sizes?

NASA describes award sizes as flexible. Typical award sizes can range from under $100,000 per year for narrowly scoped efforts (such as focused data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year for large, complex activities (such as development of science experiment hardware, more common in other ROSES elements than in a Mars data analysis track). NASA also notes the amount available varies by individual program element, from less than $1 million to several million dollars, which can translate into a handful to several dozen selections depending on element goals and proposal quality and quantity.

7) What types of awards might NASA issue under this opportunity?

Awards may be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- and intra-agency transfers. The mechanism used depends on the nature of the proposing organization and NASA program needs.

8) What is the typical period of performance?

NASA states the typical period of performance is four years, though some ROSES program elements may specify different durations.

9) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is described as essentially unrestricted. Proposals may come from domestic or foreign educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, other government agencies, and other eligible entities as described in the solicitation.

10) Are there limits on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

No limits are stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements in the information provided. The solicitation description says there are no stated limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

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

Non-U.S. organizations may be involved, but NASA states investigations involving non-U.S. organizations must be done on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. That means NASA funding generally does not flow to the non-U.S. partner, even if they contribute to the work.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The information provided states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

13) What are the key dates for the Mars Data Analysis listing shown?

For the Mars Data Analysis listing referenced in the source data, the key Grants.gov dates are: posted June 17, 2008; closing date August 22, 2008 (original and current); and archive date September 21, 2008.

14) Does ROSES 2008 have a single due date?

No. ROSES 2008 uses a rolling calendar of due dates across its many program elements. Proposal due dates begin May 9, 2008 and continue through March 27, 2009, depending on the element.

15) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

NOIs are requested for most program elements. The first NOI due date listed for the solicitation is March 14, 2008. (Specific NOI expectations can vary by program element.)

16) How do applicants submit a proposal?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized official of the proposing organization. NASA allows submission through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) and also via Grants.gov.

17) What registrations are required to apply?

Organizations intending to apply must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must also be registered in Grants.gov, and that registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) permitted to submit. In addition, all principal investigators and other participants (such as co-investigators) must be individually registered in NSPIRES.

18) Who is allowed to actually submit the application?

The proposal must be submitted electronically by an authorized official of the proposing organization. NASA also notes that Grants.gov registration should identify the authorized organizational representative(s) permitted to submit.

19) How do applicants find the correct program element package on Grants.gov?

Applicants are directed to use Grants.gov Advanced Search and enter the funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N (with an associated suffix used by Grants.gov for individual elements). After locating the relevant program element entry, applicants use the associated funding number to download the correct application package and follow that element's instructions.

20) Who should applicants contact for questions?

For program-specific questions, applicants are directed to the program officers listed in each element's Summary of Key Information. For general policies and procedures tied to the NRA, the contact listed is Dr. Yvonne Pendleton, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis within NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters (the announcement also provides an email and phone number for general inquiries).

21) What NASA organizations are associated with the overall solicitation?

ROSES 2008 is issued by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate. Eligibility and participation information also explicitly mentions NASA centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as potential proposers/participants.

22) What is NASA's advice regarding timing and system readiness?

NASA strongly advises applicants to register and familiarize themselves with NSPIRES and (if used) Grants.gov well ahead of the relevant due date to avoid last-minute administrative delays.