ROSES 2010 Fellowships for Early Career Researchers | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2010 Fellowships for Early Career Researchers (NNH10ZDA001N)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2010 Fellowships for Early Career Researchers, identified by Funding Opportunity Number NNH10ZDA001N. It is part of NASA's larger Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010 announcement issued by NASA Headquarters through the NSPIRES portal.

Is this a standalone fellowship program, or part of a larger solicitation?

It sits within the broader ROSES 2010 solicitation framework. ROSES is NASA's primary recurring mechanism for competed research proposals across the Science Mission Directorate, and individual program elements (including any fellowship-related elements) are defined in ROSES appendices and tracked through ROSES tables.

Where do applicants find the exact fellowship rules, scope, and requirements?

Applicants are expected to consult the ROSES 2010 appendices for the program element descriptions and requirements, and the ROSES tables for the exact due dates. The overall solicitation is modular, so the appendix for the targeted element is where the specific rules and scope are defined.

What NASA science areas does ROSES 2010 cover?

ROSES 2010 spans topics tied to NASA's Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics programs under the Science Mission Directorate.

What types of work are supported under ROSES 2010?

The solicitation supports both basic and applied research as well as technology development across a wide range of science and mission-enabling activities.

What are examples of activities that may be supported?

Examples explicitly included in the announcement include: theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; investigations using aircraft, balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rocket platforms; development of new experiment techniques and instrumentation relevant to future space missions; formulation and concept studies for future missions; advancement of technologies that can be infused into Science Mission Directorate missions; laboratory analysis methods for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and Earth-based sample work that validates NASA Earth observations; determination of key atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret space-based data and sample analyses; Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting NASA missions; integrated Earth system modeling; and systems that translate Earth science data into applied products and decision support for societal needs.

Is the opportunity limited to one discipline or one type of project?

No. Based on the solicitation description, it is intentionally broad and accommodates everything from analysis-focused proposals to hardware and technology efforts that can be more resource intensive.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely by program element and the scale of work proposed. The announcement describes awards that can be under 100,000 dollars per year for narrowly scoped activities (such as data analysis) and can exceed 1 million dollars per year for larger, more complex efforts (such as developing science experiment hardware).

Does the amount available vary by program element?

Yes. The amount available differs by program element, ranging from less than one million to several million dollars. This affects how many proposals might be selected in each area, from only a few up to several dozen.

What is the typical period of performance?

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

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

NASA indicates that selected awards may be issued using different legal instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or interagency or intra-agency transfers. The choice depends on the applicant organization type and the needs of the specific program.

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad by organization type: domestic and foreign, governmental and private, for-profit and nonprofit organizations are allowed to submit proposals, based on the information provided.

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

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

Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and will NASA fund them?

The solicitation emphasizes NASA's standard policy constraints for non-U.S. participation. In general, NASA funds are provided only to U.S. institutions, and participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. Applicants are directed to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules and any special cases.

Where can applicants find the detailed rules for foreign involvement?

The notice points applicants to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for the detailed rules governing foreign involvement, including special cases such as jointly issued solicitations with non-U.S. partners or situations involving U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

What is the overall timeline for ROSES 2010 submissions?

The timeline is structured around rolling program element due dates within the ROSES 2010 cycle, rather than a single due date for everything.

When are Notices of Intent (NOIs) due?

NOIs are requested for most program elements. The first NOI due date listed is March 15, 2010, with additional NOI dates running through February 9, 2011, depending on the program element.

When are full proposals due?

Full proposals have scheduled due dates beginning April 30, 2010 and continuing through April 30, 2011, depending on the specific appendix element targeted. Applicants are directed to the ROSES tables for exact dates.

Why do the posting dates show multiple closing dates (May 28, 2010 and October 29, 2010) and an archive date?

The Grants.gov posting metadata included an original closing date of May 28, 2010, a later current closing date of October 29, 2010, and an archive date of November 28, 2010. The description indicates these dates can reflect how opportunity postings are updated or segmented, even while the broader ROSES appendices continue operating with their own due-date windows.

How are proposals submitted?

Submission is electronic and must be handled by an authorized organizational official. Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov, but organizational registration in NSPIRES is required in all cases.

If we submit through Grants.gov, do we still need NSPIRES?

Yes. If an organization submits via Grants.gov, it must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES, and NASA requires NSPIRES registration regardless of the submission route.

Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

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

Who is allowed to actually submit the proposal?

The proposal must be submitted by an authorized organizational official. The opportunity notes that role assignment and identifying the authorized organizational representative can take time and can become a last-minute blocker.

Does NASA recommend registering in NSPIRES and Grants.gov early?

Yes. The announcement strongly encourages applicants to register and become familiar with the systems well before the due date, because registration and role assignment can take time.

Can the ROSES 2010 solicitation change after release?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and new elements may be added through February 2011. The opportunity provides an archive and an RSS feed for updates so applicants can track clarifications, corrections, and changes.

Where should applicants look for updates and amendments?

Applicants are directed to use the ROSES archive and RSS feed to monitor updates, including clarifications, corrections, and changes, and to watch for amendments and new elements that may be added through February 2011.

Who should be contacted for questions about a specific program element?

For help interpreting program element specifics, proposers are advised to contact the program officers listed within the relevant appendix.

Who should be contacted for general policy and procedural questions?

General policy and procedural questions are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (email sara@nasa.gov, phone 202 358 0879), based on the information provided.