ROSES 2008 Origins of Solar Systems | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2008 "Origins of Solar Systems" (NNH08ZDA001N)

What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is part of NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES 2008), issued as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) under funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N. "Origins of Solar Systems" is one of the program elements within that larger ROSES umbrella.

What is the purpose of ROSES 2008?

ROSES 2008 is designed to fund competitively selected basic and applied research and technology development that supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). It spans multiple science divisions, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

What does the "Origins of Solar Systems" focus area support?

Within ROSES 2008, the "Origins of Solar Systems" program element is generally aimed at improving understanding of how solar systems form and evolve. The solicitation indicates a broad mix of approaches may be relevant, including observational, theoretical, experimental, and technology efforts aligned with NASA science goals.

What kinds of work will NASA consider under this solicitation?

NASA states it will consider a wide range of activities, including:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of existing SMD science data
• Laboratory and analytical work to interpret spacecraft observations or returned samples (including extraterrestrial materials and terrestrial analogs)
• Determination of atomic, molecular, or compositional parameters needed to interpret remote sensing data and sample analyses
• Field observations or campaigns supporting NASA mission science
• Suborbital investigations (aircraft, high altitude balloons, sounding rockets)
• Development of new experimental techniques potentially usable on future missions
• Formulation of concepts for future missions
• Development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD science missions, including building and demonstrating hardware or instrumentation where applicable

Is this opportunity only for research, or can it fund technology development too?

It can fund both. The solicitation explicitly includes basic and applied research as well as technology development, including advanced technologies relevant to SMD science missions and, in some cases, hardware/instrumentation development and demonstration.

How much funding is available per award?

Award sizes can vary widely. NASA describes awards ranging from less than $100,000 per year for narrower efforts (such as focused data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year for larger, more complex activities (such as developing science experiment hardware).

How is funding allocated within ROSES 2008?

Funding is managed at the individual program element level. NASA notes that program element budgets can range from less than one million dollars to several million dollars. Depending on priorities and proposal pressure/quality, an element may make only a few selections or several dozen.

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

NASA may issue awards using different instrument types depending on the proposer and the work proposed, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

How long is the typical performance period?

A typical performance period is about four years, though NASA notes that some program elements may specify shorter or longer durations.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad and essentially unrestricted across organization types. Examples mentioned include universities, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other government agencies. The information provided does not state restrictions on teaming arrangements.

Can foreign organizations participate?

Both domestic and foreign organizations may participate, but NASA highlights a key policy constraint: collaborations involving non-US organizations are conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. In other words, NASA generally does not transfer funds to the non-US partner, and the foreign participant typically supports its own costs.

How do we submit an application?

Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized official of the proposing organization using either NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or Grants.gov.

What registrations are required before submitting?

The information provided indicates:

• Any organization intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES.
• If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in Grants.gov as well, with authorized organizational representative (AOR) information established in advance.
• All principal investigators (PIs) and other proposal participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES.

Who must submit the proposal in the electronic system?

An authorized official of the proposing organization must submit the proposal electronically through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Why does NASA emphasize early registration?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to begin system access and registration well before deadlines to avoid last-minute technical or administrative issues.

What is the key funding opportunity number for searching on Grants.gov?

The umbrella ROSES 2008 funding opportunity number is NNH08ZDA001N. NASA directs applicants to search Grants.gov using this number to find a list of posted ROSES program elements.

How do we find the correct application package for "Origins of Solar Systems"?

NASA's process (as described) is to search Grants.gov using NNH08ZDA001N, identify the specific posted ROSES program element you want, and then use the specific funding number associated with that program element to download the correct application package and follow that element's instructions.

Are there multiple deadlines under ROSES 2008?

Yes. ROSES is a multi-element umbrella solicitation with multiple due dates that vary by program element. Proposal due dates begin May 9, 2008 and extend through March 27, 2009 depending on the element.

Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

Notices of Intent are requested for most program elements. The first NOI due date cited is March 14, 2008. Applicants are expected to check the specific element they are targeting for exact NOI requirements.

What are the key dates mentioned for the solicitation?

The opportunity description mentions that the NRA was expected to be available around February 15, 2008 via NASA's Research Opportunities homepage, with posted dates in early March 2008 in the source listing. It also references an original/current closing date of May 23, 2008 for the particular posting snapshot, while noting proposal due dates can run through March 27, 2009 depending on program element.

Why do the closing dates look inconsistent?

The information provided indicates ROSES is a multi-element solicitation where each program element can have its own due date. The summary record may show a particular closing date for a snapshot of the posting, but applicants are expected to confirm the exact due date for the specific program element they are applying to.

Who should we contact with questions about a specific program element?

Program-specific questions are directed to the individual program officers named in each element's "Summary of Key Information."

Who should we contact with general NRA policy or procedure questions?

The opportunity text lists Dr. Yvonne Pendleton at NASA Headquarters for general policy and procedure questions: sara@nasa.gov, 202-358-1182.

What is the main takeaway for applicants interested in "Origins of Solar Systems"?

The practical step is to locate the "Origins of Solar Systems" program element within ROSES 2008, confirm that element's specific scope and due date, ensure required NSPIRES (and possibly Grants.gov) registrations are complete, and submit electronically through NSPIRES or Grants.gov via an authorized organizational official.