ROSES 2008 Solar and Heliospheric Physics | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2008 Solar and Heliospheric Physics (NNH08ZDA001N)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Solar and Heliospheric Physics component within NASA's larger Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 solicitation (ROSES 2008). ROSES 2008 was issued as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) under funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N, and it contained many individual program elements, each with its own scope and often its own deadline.

Which NASA directorate is sponsoring this solicitation?

The solicitation supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate across multiple research programs, including Heliophysics (the home area for solar and heliospheric physics), as well as Earth Science, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

What kinds of work does the Solar and Heliospheric Physics element support?

Within the broader ROSES framework, the Solar and Heliospheric Physics focus targets research that advances understanding of the Sun, the heliosphere, and related space environment processes. The described scope includes theory, modeling, and analysis of existing or newly acquired science data, and can also include mission- or instrument-enabling work aligned with NASA needs.

Is this call only for basic science, or does it include applied and technology work too?

It includes both basic and applied efforts. NASA described a wide range of research and technology activities, including data analysis, modeling, theory, investigations using aircraft/high-altitude balloons/suborbital rockets, development of experimental techniques and concepts that could feed into future missions, and technology development relevant to NASA missions.

Does the solicitation support hardware or instrument-related efforts?

Yes. NASA indicated support for investigation and instrumentation activities, including work using aircraft, high altitude balloons, and suborbital rockets, as well as development of experimental techniques and concepts that could enable future space missions. NASA also noted that large activities such as developing science experiment hardware could exceed $1 million per year.

Does ROSES 2008 include work beyond heliophysics?

Yes. ROSES 2008 is an umbrella announcement spanning multiple areas, including Heliophysics, Earth Science, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. The Solar and Heliospheric Physics portion sits within that broader structure.

What funding levels are typical?

Funding levels were described as flexible and scaled to the nature of the work. Smaller, narrowly focused projects (such as data analysis) could be funded at under $100,000 per year, while larger efforts (such as developing science experiment hardware) could exceed $1 million per year.

How much total funding is available?

Total funding varies by program element, ranging from under $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, some program elements might support only a handful of awards while others could support dozens, depending on merit, priorities, and proposal pressure.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity explicitly stated that no cost sharing or matching was required.

What types of award mechanisms might NASA use?

Awards could be issued through multiple mechanisms depending on the organization type and project needs, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and interagency or intra-agency transfers.

How long is the typical performance period?

The typical performance period for awards was about four years, although some program elements could specify shorter or longer durations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broadly open across organization types, including universities, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, JPL, and other government agencies.

Are there limits on the number of proposals an organization can submit or on teaming arrangements?

No specific restrictions were stated on the number of proposals or on teaming arrangements in the information provided.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

International participation was subject to a key constraint: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations generally had to be done on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA would not transfer funding to the non-U.S. entity. The information also reiterated that NASA funding is generally provided only to U.S. institutions.

Where are the detailed rules for non-U.S. participation described?

Non-U.S. proposers were directed to specific sections of the NASA NRA guidebook for detailed rules. Special instructions were also noted for cases where non-U.S. proposals involve U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

When was the solicitation expected to be accessible?

ROSES 2008 was expected to be accessible around February 15, 2008 through NASA's NSPIRES portal.

When were proposals due?

The solicitation used a staged schedule with multiple due dates because each program element could have its own deadline. Proposal due dates began May 9, 2008 and continued through March 27, 2009.

Was a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

For most program elements, NASA requested an electronic Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose. An early NOI date mentioned was March 14, 2008, although specific requirements could vary by program element.

How do proposals have to be submitted?

Proposals had to be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative, either through NSPIRES or via Grants.gov.

What registrations are required before submitting?

Organizations needed to be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting via Grants.gov, organizations also needed Grants.gov registration. In addition, all principal investigators and other proposal participants (such as co-investigators) had to be registered in NSPIRES.

Why does NASA emphasize registering early?

NASA strongly encouraged applicants to complete registrations well ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute access and submission issues.

How do applicants find the correct program element and application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants were directed to use Grants.gov advanced search and the ROSES opportunity number (NNH08ZDA001N) to pull up the list of posted elements, then select the element-specific funding number to download the correct forms.

Where do applicants find element-specific scope and submission instructions?

Applicants were expected to consult the Summary of Key Information and the designated Program Officer for the relevant program element for technical scope and element-specific submission instructions.

Who is the point of contact for general NRA policy and procedural questions?

For general NRA policy and procedural questions, the listed point of contact was Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (Science Mission Directorate), with contact details provided in the announcement.

What do the posted record dates (posted/closing/archive) represent?

The posted record included a posted and creation date of November 10, 2008, an original and current closing date of February 6, 2009, and an archive date of March 8, 2009. These dates reflect the window for that posted opportunity record and its associated program element listing within the broader ROSES 2008 framework.

Does the posted closing date mean all ROSES 2008 proposals were due by that date?

Not necessarily. The solicitation described multiple due dates across program elements (spanning May 9, 2008 through March 27, 2009). The February 6, 2009 closing date cited in the posted record reflects that particular posted opportunity record and its associated element listing, while other program elements could have had different deadlines.