ROSES 2010 Heliophysics Research Solar and Heliospheric Science | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2010 Heliophysics Research (Solar and Heliospheric Science)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2010 program element for Heliophysics Research focused on Solar and Heliospheric Science, offered under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010 solicitation. It is issued as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) under number NNH10ZDA001N.

2) What is the scientific focus of the Solar and Heliospheric Science listing?

The listing emphasizes research that advances scientific understanding of the Sun, the heliosphere, and related physical processes. The intent is to support work that strengthens the science return of NASA missions and datasets, including efforts that interpret observations, improve models, and enhance end-to-end science outcomes.

3) When was ROSES 2010 (including this listing) released?

The ROSES 2010 solicitation was released around February 12, 2010.

4) What kinds of activities does NASA say it is interested in funding under ROSES 2010?

Within the broad ROSES umbrella, NASA indicates interest in activities such as:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of existing NASA science data
• Development and maturation of experimental techniques that could be used on future missions
• Conceptual development for future mission ideas
• Development of advanced technologies relevant to flight missions

5) Does the opportunity support both basic research and applied research?

Yes. ROSES 2010 is described as broad in scope and designed to fund both basic and applied research, along with enabling technologies across NASA science.

6) Are technology or hardware-related efforts allowed, or is this only for data analysis?

Both are within scope. NASA describes funding ranging from narrowly focused work such as targeted data analysis to larger, more complex activities such as development of science hardware, depending on the specific program element.

7) Are suborbital and airborne platforms included as allowable approaches?

Yes. NASA notes support for investigations that use aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets when those platforms are appropriate to the science objectives.

8) How much funding is available?

Funding levels are intentionally flexible across ROSES 2010. NASA notes that budgets can range from under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused work to more than $1 million per year for larger, more complex activities (such as development of science hardware). Total funding available varies by program element and is described as typically ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars.

9) How many awards does NASA expect to make?

Because ROSES covers many different program elements and budgets vary, NASA indicates it may select anywhere from a small handful to several dozen proposals depending on merit, relevance, and program priorities.

10) What types of award instruments might NASA use?

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

11) What is the typical performance period?

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

12) What are the key deadlines for Notices of Intent (NOIs)?

NOIs were requested for most elements, with NOI due dates spanning from March 15, 2010 through February 9, 2011, depending on the specific program element.

13) What are the key deadlines for full proposals?

Full proposal due dates spanned from April 30, 2010 through April 30, 2011, with specific due dates varying by program element as listed in the ROSES tables and appendices.

14) Why do some dates in the Grants.gov record look different from the broader ROSES timeline?

The Grants.gov record associated with this opportunity shows a later posting date (January 6, 2011) and an administrative closing date of March 18, 2011 for that listing, with archive on April 17, 2011. This reflects that individual program elements or postings can appear within the overall ROSES cycle on different dates.

15) Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

Eligibility is broad in organizational type. NASA allows organizations of every type to submit proposals, including domestic and foreign entities, government and private organizations, and both for-profit and non-profit organizations. No restrictions are stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

16) Does NASA fund non-U.S. organizations?

In general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. organizations may participate under NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning the non-U.S. partner must cover its own costs, unless a specific jointly issued NRA states otherwise.

17) What if a non-U.S. organization includes U.S. personnel and wants NASA support for them?

NASA notes that additional special instructions can apply in cases where non-U.S. organizations include U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested. Proposers are directed to consult the NASA NRA Guidebook for those situations.

18) How do proposals have to be submitted?

Submission is electronic and tied closely to NASA's NSPIRES system. Proposals had to be submitted electronically through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov (with NSPIRES still playing a role in registration and participant records).

19) Do we need to register in NSPIRES even if we submit via Grants.gov?

Yes. NASA states that any organization intending to propose must be registered in NSPIRES. Organizations using Grants.gov must be registered in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov.

20) 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.

21) What is an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), and is one required?

NASA requires that authorized organizational representatives be identified for submission. NASA also warns that missing registrations or authorization steps can derail an otherwise strong application.

22) Where do we find the detailed requirements for the Solar and Heliospheric Science element?

ROSES 2010 is organized through appendices. Each appendix describes a program element's goals, point of contact, and specific instructions. Applicants were directed to the ROSES tables and appendices for element-specific due dates and guidance.

23) Should applicants monitor for updates or amendments?

Yes. Prospective applicants were told to monitor the NSPIRES solicitation page and/or subscribe to NASA's electronic notifications for amendments and newly added elements through February 2011.

24) Who should we contact with technical questions about a specific program element?

For technical program-element questions, NASA points proposers to the program officers listed within the relevant appendix.

25) Who is the general point of contact for ROSES policies and procedures?

For general ROSES policies and procedures, NASA points proposers to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters, via sara@nasa.gov and the phone number listed in the solicitation materials.