ROSES 2010 Earth Science Applications Feasibility Studies Public Health | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2010 Earth Science Applications Feasibility Studies - Public Health program element (often abbreviated as PHFEAS), released by NASA Headquarters under the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010 solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number NNH10ZDA001N).

2) Is this a stand-alone solicitation or part of a larger NASA program?

It is part of ROSES 2010, NASA's annual, wide-ranging NASA Research Announcement (NRA) used to support basic and applied research and related technology development across NASA's Science Mission Directorate programs.

3) Which NASA science area does this program element fall under?

This specific element is positioned within Earth Science Applications. ROSES as a whole spans multiple science areas (Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics), but PHFEAS is tied specifically to Earth Science Applications with a public health focus.

4) What is the main purpose of the Public Health Feasibility Studies (PHFEAS) element?

PHFEAS supports feasibility-stage work that tests whether and how NASA Earth observations and related science products can be translated into practical, health-relevant tools, services, or decision support. The emphasis is on early-stage validation of technical and practical viability rather than fully operational delivery.

5) What kinds of projects are a good fit for a "feasibility study" under this element?

Feasibility studies are commonly scoped to: prove technical and practical viability; define user needs; identify data and model requirements; and demonstrate preliminary prototypes or workflow concepts. The focus is generally on exploring pathways from NASA-supported Earth science data streams to applied outcomes relevant to public health.

6) Does this opportunity require a connection to real-world public health users?

Based on the description, proposals are generally expected to connect environmental conditions that affect human health with organizations that use such information in practice (for example, public health agencies or related decision makers), since the Earth Science Applications area is aligned with societal needs.

7) What types of activities does ROSES 2010 broadly support (and how does PHFEAS relate)?

ROSES 2010 invites proposals that can include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; development and demonstration of methods and techniques enabling future missions; concept development for future missions; and technology development relevant to NASA science objectives. It also covers Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA missions, integrated Earth system models, and systems applying Earth science research data to societal needs. PHFEAS aligns specifically with that societal-needs and applications pathway, with a public health feasibility emphasis.

8) How much funding is available?

ROSES funding levels vary widely by program element and activity scale. NASA notes that awards can range from under $100,000 per year for narrow or focused tasks to more than $1 million per year for large, complex activities. The amount available within each element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars total, which typically yields anywhere from a handful to several dozen awards depending on proposal quality, program goals, and submission volume.

9) How long is the typical period of performance?

Most ROSES awards are structured around a typical period of performance of about four years. The solicitation overall states a maximum of five years, though certain elements may be shorter or longer.

10) What type of award instrument will NASA use?

Awards may be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- and intra-agency transfers. The instrument used depends on the nature of the proposing organization and NASA program requirements.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

12) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broadly open by organizational type: government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and domestic and foreign organizations may submit proposals.

13) Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to participate?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but NASA policy generally requires that collaborations involving non-U.S. organizations be conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis unless specific exceptions or joint solicitations apply. Detailed rules and special cases are referenced in the ROSES guidebook and Appendix B.

14) Will NASA fund non-U.S. organizations directly?

In general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. participation is typically allowed only if done without NASA funds being exchanged to the non-U.S. organization, unless an exception applies.

15) Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

No restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements is stated in the provided description.

16) Are teaming arrangements or collaborations allowed?

Yes. The description notes no restriction on teaming arrangements. Collaboration rules affecting funding to non-U.S. partners still apply under NASA policy.

17) What registration systems are required to apply?

All proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NASA's NSPIRES system. All investigators and participants (including co-investigators) must also be registered in NSPIRES, regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES directly or via Grants.gov.

18) Can proposals be submitted through Grants.gov, NSPIRES, or both?

Proposals had to be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative either through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov. Organizations using Grants.gov also need to be registered in Grants.gov.

19) Who must submit the proposal?

The proposal must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative.

20) Why does this opportunity show multiple dates and deadlines?

ROSES typically uses a long open submission window with element-specific due dates. The ROSES 2010 NRA was expected to be available around February 12, 2010 in NSPIRES. Notices of Intent (NOIs) were requested for most program elements with due dates beginning March 15, 2010 through February 9, 2011. Full proposals were due on rolling or element-specific dates beginning April 30, 2010 through April 30, 2011, with specific dates listed in ROSES Tables 2 and 3 and in element appendices. The Grants.gov posting metadata also listed a posted/creation date of March 9, 2010 and an original/current closing date of May 28, 2010 for that Grants.gov record, which can reflect the particular posting entry even while the broader ROSES solicitation ran across multiple dates and appendices.

21) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

NOIs were requested for most ROSES program elements, with deadlines beginning March 15, 2010 and continuing through February 9, 2011. The provided description does not state that an NOI was mandatory for this specific element, only that they were requested for most elements.

22) Where do I find the exact due date for this specific program element?

The specific due dates for each ROSES program element are listed in ROSES Tables 2 and 3 and in the appendices for each element.

23) Why does NASA recommend registering early?

The solicitation emphasized registering early and becoming familiar with NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov ahead of deadlines to avoid administrative delays during electronic submission.

24) Can the solicitation change after it is released?

Yes. The description notes that ROSES is frequently amended as new elements are added or clarifications are issued. Applicants were instructed to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to its notification service, and to use the ROSES 2010 amendments and corrections archive and RSS feed on NASA's science website.

25) Who should I contact for questions?

General procedural inquiries were directed to Dr. Max Bernstein, Lead for Research in NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Questions about specific program elements should be directed to the program officers listed in the appendices for those elements.

26) What is the overall focus applicants should keep in mind for PHFEAS?

The core focus is feasibility-stage public health applications that leverage NASA Earth science data and expertise, typically emphasizing user needs, practical decision support relevance, and early demonstrations or prototypes rather than fully operational systems.