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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2010 ASTID (Astrobiology Science and Technology for Instrument Development)

What is the ROSES 2010 ASTID opportunity?

ROSES 2010 Astrobiology Science and Technology for Instrument Development (ASTID) is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released under the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010 umbrella solicitation (NNH10ZDA001N). ASTID sits within ROSES as the astrobiology-oriented, instrument-development-focused program element aimed at advancing science and technology capabilities that enable future astrobiology investigations and missions.

How does ASTID relate to the overall ROSES 2010 solicitation?

ROSES is NASA's primary annual mechanism for requesting proposals that support the Science Mission Directorate across Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. ASTID is one specific program element within that larger structure, emphasizing capability-building for astrobiology needs, particularly through new or improved instruments and related techniques.

What kinds of work are included in the scope of this solicitation?

The solicitation scope is intentionally broad and supports basic and applied research as well as technology development. Examples described include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; development and maturation of experiment techniques suitable for future missions; creation of concepts for future space missions; development of advanced technologies relevant to mission objectives; and laboratory methods for analyzing samples (including extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples).

Does the opportunity include instrument and hardware development?

Yes. ASTID emphasizes advancing science and technology capabilities tied to astrobiology needs, especially where new or improved instruments and related techniques can enable future investigations and missions. NASA also notes that large, hardware-intensive efforts (such as development of science experiment equipment) can exceed 1 million dollars per year, which indicates that instrument and hardware development is within scope.

Are laboratory methods and sample analysis activities supported?

Yes. The described scope includes laboratory methods for analyzing samples, including extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples used to validate or interpret mission observations.

Can proposals focus on improving reference data needed to interpret measurements?

Yes. The solicitation includes work that improves underlying reference data used to interpret measurements, such as atomic or compositional parameters needed to analyze remote sensing and in situ datasets.

Are field campaigns and Earth surface observations allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. The solicitation notes that field campaigns and Earth surface observations that support NASA science goals are included in scope.

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

NASA states that awards may be issued in multiple legal forms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The specific instrument used depends on the proposer and NASA program needs.

How much funding is available and how large are typical awards?

Award sizes can vary widely depending on the work. NASA indicates that smaller, narrowly focused efforts (such as limited data analysis) may be funded at under 100,000 dollars per year, while large, hardware-intensive efforts (such as development of science experiment equipment) can exceed 1 million dollars per year. NASA also notes that funding available within a given program element can range from under one million to several million dollars, which means selection volume can range from a handful to several dozen proposals depending on program goals and proposal quality.

What is the typical project period for an ASTID award?

The typical performance period is about four years. Some program elements may allow shorter or longer periods, up to a five-year maximum.

What are the key dates for ROSES 2010 and for ASTID specifically?

ROSES 2010 was released around February 12, 2010. For most program elements, NASA requests a Notice of Intent (NOI), with due dates running from March 15, 2010 through February 9, 2011. Full proposals have rolling due dates tied to individual program elements, starting April 30, 2010 and continuing through April 30, 2011. For ASTID specifically (as listed in the provided metadata), the opportunity was posted March 29, 2010, with a closing date of June 25, 2010, and an archive date of July 25, 2010.

Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

NASA requests a Notice of Intent to propose for most program elements under ROSES 2010. The NOI due dates vary by program element across the ROSES cycle, so applicants are directed to the ROSES appendices and due-date tables for the exact dates and requirements.

How do applicants submit a proposal?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative. Proposals can be submitted through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

If submitting through Grants.gov, is NSPIRES registration still required?

Yes. All proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES. Additionally, anyone using Grants.gov must be registered in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov.

Do principal investigators and co-investigators need NSPIRES accounts?

Yes. NASA requires that principal investigators and other key participants (such as co-investigators) be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Why does NASA recommend early registration and early familiarization with the portals?

NASA stresses early registration and early familiarization with NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov to avoid submission delays and to ensure required registrations and system access are in place before deadlines.

Where can applicants find the detailed program-element requirements and exact due dates?

NASA indicates that detailed requirements, program-element descriptions, and exact due dates are provided in the ROSES appendices and in the due-date tables referenced in the announcement.

Can the solicitation change after it is released?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and clarifications can be issued through the solicitation cycle, and because ROSES can be updated during the year, proposers are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications.

Who is eligible to apply for ASTID under ROSES 2010?

Eligibility is broadly open to many organization types, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions. However, NASA notes an important constraint: in general, NASA funds U.S. institutions, and participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically expected to occur on a "no exchange of funds" basis.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and can they receive NASA funding?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but the solicitation indicates participation is typically expected to occur on a "no exchange of funds" basis. The opportunity points non-U.S. proposers to relevant sections of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for rules and special situations, including cases involving proposed work with U.S. personnel for whom NASA funding is requested.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

Where do applicants find ROSES 2010 in NSPIRES?

Applicants are directed to the NASA Research Opportunities homepage via NSPIRES and to use the Solicitations menu to locate open solicitations, including ROSES 2010.

How can applicants stay informed about updates, amendments, and clarifications?

NASA encourages proposers to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications. The announcement also references an online archive and an RSS feed where amendments, corrections, and clarifications are posted.

Who should applicants contact with questions about ROSES policies and procedures?

For questions about ROSES policies and procedures, the named point of contact in the announcement is Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters, reachable through the SARA email address and the listed phone number.

Who should applicants contact with questions about the ASTID program element details?

Questions about specific program elements are handled by the individual program officers identified within the relevant ROSES appendix sections.