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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2009 Astrophysics Theory (ATP)

1) What is the ROSES 2009 Astrophysics Theory (ATP) opportunity?

ROSES 2009 Astrophysics Theory (ATP), Funding Opportunity Number NNH09ZDA001N, is a program element within NASA Headquarters' broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2009 (ROSES 2009) solicitation. It is a NASA Research Announcement intended to fund research and related activities that support NASA Science Mission Directorate goals, with this specific element emphasizing astrophysics theory and modeling.

2) How does ATP relate to the larger ROSES 2009 solicitation?

ATP is one part of the umbrella ROSES 2009 solicitation, which spans multiple science areas and research activities tied to NASA science priorities and current or future missions. While ROSES covers Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics, the ATP element focuses on theoretical and modeling work that strengthens NASA astrophysics science returns and mission planning.

3) What types of work are supported under ROSES 2009 (and relevant context for ATP)?

ROSES 2009 describes a broad range of activities NASA may support, including theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; development of techniques and concepts for future missions; suborbital investigations (aircraft, balloon, sounding rocket projects); advanced technology development relevant to NASA missions; laboratory work and analytical methods for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate mission observations; determination of key atomic and compositional parameters needed to analyze space or sample data; Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting NASA missions; development of integrated Earth system models; and applied information systems translating Earth science research into societal benefits. Within this broad scope, the Astrophysics Theory element emphasizes theoretical and modeling activities tied to NASA astrophysics goals.

4) What is the funding opportunity number for this ATP element?

The funding opportunity number listed is NNH09ZDA001N.

5) Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by NASA Headquarters as part of its NASA Research Announcement process under the ROSES 2009 solicitation.

6) What funding instrument types are associated with this opportunity?

The listing indicates grant and cooperative agreement as funding instrument types. The broader ROSES 2009 announcement also notes that NASA anticipates making awards using several mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers, depending on the proposing organization and the nature of the work.

7) Is this a discretionary or mandatory funding opportunity?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary.

8) Are cost sharing or matching funds required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the opportunity information provided.

9) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels may vary widely based on scope. The announcement notes awards may be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts (such as targeted data analysis) and can exceed $1 million per year for larger, more complex activities (such as developing science experiment hardware).

10) How much total funding is available within a program element like ATP?

The amount available within each program element ranges from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, NASA may fund anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals in a given area, depending on merit, program balance, and available funds.

11) How many awards will NASA make?

The announcement indicates the number of awards can vary by program element and depends on factors such as proposal merit, program balance, and available funds. It may be as few as a handful or as many as several dozen proposals in a given area.

12) What is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years. Some program elements may specify shorter or longer durations, up to a maximum of five years.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad in principle: many organization types may apply, including domestic and foreign, government and private, for-profit and non-profit entities. The opportunity information also notes there is no stated restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

14) Are there restrictions on international participation or foreign organizations?

NASA notes an important policy detail: investigations involving non-US organizations are generally conducted on a no exchange of funds basis. In addition, the eligibility section emphasizes that NASA funding is generally provided only to US institutions. Non-US organizations are directed to consult Appendix B, section (l) of the NASA NRA Guidebook for detailed rules and to follow special instructions when proposals involve US personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

15) Do applicants need to be registered in NSPIRES?

Yes. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES. Every submitting organization must be registered in NSPIRES, and all principal investigators and any other participants (such as co-investigators) must be individually registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether submission occurs through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

16) How do you submit an application?

Submission is electronic-only. Proposers may submit through NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) or Grants.gov.

17) Does NASA prefer NSPIRES or Grants.gov for submission?

NASA strongly encourages submission through NSPIRES due to technical issues reported with Grants.gov at the time described in the opportunity information.

18) If submitting through Grants.gov, are there additional registration requirements?

Yes. Organizations that choose to submit through Grants.gov must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES.

19) Who is allowed to submit the proposal on behalf of an organization?

The NSPIRES registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will actually submit the proposal.

20) Do co-investigators or other team members need NSPIRES accounts?

Yes. All principal investigators and any other participants (including co-investigators) must be individually registered in NSPIRES, regardless of the submission route.

21) Where in NSPIRES would this solicitation have been accessed?

ROSES 2009 was expected to be accessible via the NASA Research Opportunities homepage in NSPIRES using the path Solicitations to Open Solicitations.

22) What are the key dates for this ATP listing?

For the ATP listing as provided: the posted date is March 3, 2009; the original closing date is May 29, 2009; the current closing date is May 29, 2009; and the archive date is June 28, 2009.

23) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

Notices of Intent are requested for most program elements in the ROSES 2009 cycle. The information provided notes an early NOI date of March 13, 2009.

24) When were proposals due under ROSES 2009 generally?

Proposal due dates in the ROSES 2009 cycle began May 1, 2009 and extended through April 30, 2010 depending on the specific program element. For the ATP listing provided here, the closing date is May 29, 2009.

25) What should applicants do to avoid last-minute submission issues?

NASA advises applicants to begin registration and system familiarization well ahead of deadlines, since submission is electronic-only and registrations must be in place for organizations and individual participants.

26) Who should be contacted with questions about the program element (ATP)?

Program-specific questions are intended to go to the program officers identified within the ROSES document for each element.

27) Who should be contacted with general solicitation policy or procedure questions?

General solicitation policy or procedure questions may be directed to the NASA Headquarters contact listed: Dr. Max Bernstein, Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate, using the contact details provided in the announcement.