Roses 2008 Terrestrial Ecology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2008 Terrestrial Ecology (NNH08ZDA001N)

1) What is "ROSES 2008 Terrestrial Ecology"?

ROSES 2008 Terrestrial Ecology is a research area within NASA's larger Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES 2008) solicitation. It falls under funding opportunity number NNH08ZDA001N and is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) efforts to fund research and related technology development.

2) Is this opportunity only for Terrestrial Ecology proposals?

No. The Terrestrial Ecology listing is one part of the broader ROSES 2008 umbrella, which spans multiple NASA research programs, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. Applicants are expected to target the specific program element that matches their work.

3) What types of work does ROSES 2008 support?

The solicitation supports a wide range of basic and applied research and related technology development that advances NASA SMD goals. Examples include theory and modeling, analysis of NASA science data, and investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, and suborbital rockets. It can also include development of experimental techniques and hardware relevant to future missions, early mission concept development, and technologies that enable NASA science objectives.

4) What kinds of Earth science activities are included?

On the Earth science side, the opportunity can support Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and the creation of systems that translate Earth science results and datasets into practical applications that address societal needs.

5) Does ROSES 2008 support laboratory and sample analysis?

Yes. The announcement describes support for laboratory and analytical work on samples, including extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret NASA Earth observation data. It also mentions work to determine atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret space-based measurements.

6) What is the purpose of NASA funding under this solicitation?

ROSES 2008 is designed to fund work that strengthens current missions, improves scientific return from NASA data, and helps mature new ideas and technologies for future missions.

7) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels can vary widely depending on the work proposed. NASA notes that some awards may be under $100,000 per year for narrower efforts such as focused data analysis, while larger, more complex activities (for example, development of science experiment hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

8) How is funding allocated within ROSES 2008?

Available funding is managed at the level of individual program elements. Each element may have anywhere from less than one million to several million dollars available, which affects how many proposals can be selected (from only a few to several dozen), depending on that element's goals and the quality of submissions.

9) What award mechanisms are used for this opportunity?

The instruments specifically listed for this opportunity include grants and cooperative agreements. NASA also notes that, in some cases, contracts or agency transfers may be used depending on the organization type and program needs.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is intentionally broad. Proposals may be submitted by a wide range of domestic or foreign entities, including universities, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other government agencies.

11) Are there limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No restrictions are stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements. The opportunity indicates there is no restriction on the number of proposals and no restriction on teaming.

12) Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and can they receive NASA funds?

Non-U.S. organizations may be involved, but NASA policy requires that collaborations involving non-U.S. organizations be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. This means NASA generally does not provide funding directly to the non-U.S. partner.

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

14) What is the typical project period of performance?

The typical performance period for a ROSES award is about four years, though some program elements may specify shorter or longer periods.

15) When are proposals due?

For ROSES 2008 overall, proposal due dates are staggered by program element, beginning May 9, 2008 and extending through March 27, 2009. Applicants need to follow the due date for the specific program element they are targeting.

16) Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

Most program elements request an electronic Notice of Intent (NOI) before proposal submission. The first NOI due date listed in the ROSES 2008 information is March 14, 2008. Applicants should confirm the NOI expectations for their chosen element.

17) What are the key dates listed for the Grants.gov posting referenced here?

The Grants.gov posting referenced was posted July 16, 2008. The closing date was updated to October 2, 2008 (originally October 24, 2008), and the archive date is November 23, 2008.

18) How do applicants submit proposals?

Submission is electronic and requires advance registration. Organizations must be registered in NASA's NSPIRES system. Applicants submitting through Grants.gov must also be registered in Grants.gov.

19) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

NASA emphasizes that the authorized organizational representative must submit the proposal, and that all principal investigators and co-investigators must be registered in NSPIRES.

20) Why does NASA recommend registering early?

NASA encourages applicants to start registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute problems with electronic submission.

21) How do applicants find the right program element on Grants.gov?

The solicitation notes that program elements can be located through Grants.gov using the advanced search function and the ROSES funding opportunity number format. Applicants are expected to use the program-element-specific package and instructions for the element they are targeting.

22) Who should be contacted with questions about a specific program element?

NASA directs applicants to contact the program officers listed for each specific program element, since each element has its own objectives and details.

23) Who is the contact for general ROSES policy and procedure questions?

For general policy and procedural questions related to the ROSES NRA, the listed contact is Dr. Yvonne Pendleton, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis in NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

24) Does ROSES 2008 support both research and technology development?

Yes. NASA invites proposals for basic and applied research as well as related technology development, including techniques, hardware, and technologies that support NASA science objectives and future missions.

25) What are some examples of smaller versus larger efforts mentioned?

The announcement contrasts narrower efforts such as focused data analysis (which may be under $100,000 per year) with larger, more complex activities such as development of science experiment hardware (which can exceed $1 million per year).