ROSES 2010 Applications of Geodetic Imaging | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2010 Applications of Geodetic Imaging (GEOIM)

1. What is this funding opportunity?

It is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity under ROSES 2010 (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences). The specific program element is Applications of Geodetic Imaging, identified by the element tag GEOIM, and referenced under Funding Opportunity Number NNH10ZDA001N.

2. What is ROSES 2010?

ROSES 2010 is a broad NASA Research Announcement (NRA) issued by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. It spans multiple science areas and appendices, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics, and supports basic and applied research plus related technology development aligned with NASA priorities.

3. What does the Applications of Geodetic Imaging (GEOIM) element focus on?

GEOIM focuses on using geodetic imaging measurements and methods as the primary toolset to advance NASA-relevant Earth and space science objectives. Proposals are expected to use observations, analysis approaches, and/or enabling technologies that extract scientific value from NASA-relevant data and improve how those data are collected, interpreted, and applied.

4. What kinds of activities can be proposed under ROSES 2010 (as described here)?

ROSES 2010 describes a wide range of allowable work, including:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data
• Development of experiment techniques suitable for future missions
• New mission concepts
• Advanced technologies tied to mission needs
• Laboratory analysis techniques for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used for validation/interpretation
• Determination of atomic and compositional parameters needed for interpreting data and samples
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions
• Integrated Earth system model development
• Systems that transition Earth science research outputs into societal applications and applied information services

For GEOIM specifically, geodetic imaging approaches are the central measurement/method foundation used to address the relevant science and application questions.

5. Is this opportunity limited to small research projects?

No. The opportunity is structured to fund a broad range of scopes, from relatively small, tightly scoped studies (such as focused data analysis) to larger efforts that may involve major development work (such as development of science experiment hardware).

6. When was the NASA Research Announcement released?

The ROSES 2010 NRA was released on February 12, 2010.

7. When are Notices of Intent (NOIs) due?

NOIs are requested for most program elements beginning March 15, 2010, continuing through February 9, 2011. (Specific element instructions and whether an NOI is requested for GEOIM are addressed within the ROSES appendices.)

8. When are proposals due?

Proposal due dates begin April 30, 2010 and run through April 30, 2011, depending on the specific ROSES appendix/element. Deadlines are listed in ROSES tables and appendices on an element-by-element basis.

9. Why do some dates on the Grants.gov listing differ from the broader ROSES schedule?

The Grants.gov record for this specific listing shows a posted/creation date of July 22, 2010, an original/current closing date of November 1, 2010, and an archive date of December 1, 2010. This reflects how individual ROSES elements were also surfaced through Grants.gov, while ROSES as a whole operated across a rolling schedule with multiple deadlines during the 2010-2011 window.

10. How much funding is available?

Funding levels are flexible and depend on the scope and needs of the selected investigations. NASA notes awards may range from under $100,000 per year for focused efforts (such as data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year for extensive activities (such as science experiment hardware development). Total funding available varies by program element and can range from under $1 million to several million dollars.

11. What is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is about four years. Some programs allow shorter or longer periods, up to five years.

12. What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Awards may be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter/intra-agency transfers, depending on the proposing organization and program requirements.

13. Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing is not required.

14. Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad. Organizations of every type may submit proposals, including:

• Domestic and foreign organizations
• Government and private organizations
• For-profit and nonprofit organizations

There is also no restriction on the number of proposals an organization may submit or on teaming arrangements.

15. Are foreign organizations allowed to receive NASA funding?

NASA’s general policy is to provide funding primarily to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. participation is typically allowed only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, unless a specific NRA element provides special joint-sponsorship guidance. Detailed rules are referenced in the NASA NRA Guidebook (including Appendix B and sections addressing non-U.S. organizations and U.S. personnel).

16. Where are the element-specific requirements for GEOIM defined?

The technical and programmatic expectations for Applications of Geodetic Imaging are contained in the relevant ROSES appendices and their Summary of Key Information sections. These sections typically include points of contact, required proposal components, evaluation criteria, and any element-specific constraints.

17. How do applicants submit proposals?

All proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative, using either:

• NSPIRES (NASA’s proposal system), or
• Grants.gov

18. What registration steps are required?

Registration is mandatory. NASA specifies that:

• Any organization submitting must be registered in NSPIRES.
• If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES.
• All investigators and participants (including co-investigators) must be individually registered in NSPIRES regardless of submission pathway.

19. Who should submit the proposal on behalf of the organization?

The proposal must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative, not just an individual investigator acting alone.

20. What does NASA recommend regarding timing for registrations and submission?

NASA advises applicants to start registrations early and to become familiar with the submission system well before the due date to avoid last-minute access and authorization issues.

21. Can NASA issue amendments or clarifications to ROSES 2010?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and clarifications can be issued through February 2011, and updates are posted on NSPIRES and via an online amendment archive/RSS feed.

22. Where should applicants look for official updates and amendments?

Official updates are posted on NSPIRES and through the online amendment archive/RSS feed referenced by NASA for ROSES 2010.

23. Who is the point of contact for general solicitation policy and process questions?

For general solicitation policy and process questions, the announcement directs inquiries to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (Science Mission Directorate) via sara@nasa.gov and the listed phone number in the announcement.

24. Where can applicants find the rules governing non-U.S. participation and U.S. personnel involvement?

The solicitation points applicants to the NASA NRA Guidebook, including Appendix B and relevant sections addressing proposals involving non-U.S. organizations and U.S. personnel, for the detailed rules that apply.