ROSES 2011 Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth System Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ROSES 2011 "Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth System Science" (NNH11ZDA001N)?

It is part of NASA's annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitation run by the Science Mission Directorate. It functions as a broad umbrella NASA Research Announcement, inviting proposals across many program elements in Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. Even though the title highlights collaborative connections for Earth system science, the actual topics and requirements are organized by individual ROSES program elements (appendices and tables), not as a single narrow call.

Is this a single focused grant topic or an umbrella solicitation?

This is an umbrella solicitation. The specific research topics, proposal requirements, and deadlines depend on the individual ROSES program element described in the ROSES 2011 appendices and tables.

Who runs this opportunity within NASA?

ROSES is run by NASA's Science Mission Directorate as part of NASA's annual research solicitation process.

When was the ROSES 2011 solicitation released?

The solicitation was released around February 18, 2011.

What kinds of activities does this solicitation support?

The scope is intentionally broad and includes basic and applied research as well as technology development that supports NASA's current and future missions. Examples include theory development, numerical modeling, analysis of NASA Science Mission Directorate data, and development of new measurement techniques and instrument concepts for potential future flight.

Does ROSES 2011 support research using NASA data?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes analysis of NASA Science Mission Directorate data as an eligible activity.

Does this opportunity support modeling and theory work?

Yes. Theory development, numerical modeling, and building or improving integrated Earth system models are included within the broad scope described.

Are field campaigns and Earth surface observations allowed?

Yes. Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA missions are included as examples of eligible work.

Can proposals involve aircraft, balloons, rockets, or other suborbital platforms?

Yes. The solicitation includes work using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rocket platforms.

Does ROSES 2011 support development of instruments or measurement techniques?

Yes. It includes development of new measurement techniques and instrument concepts that could fly on future missions, as well as large efforts such as building science hardware (depending on the program element).

Is early mission concept work included?

Yes. The scope includes early mission concept work and development of advanced technologies relevant to NASA science objectives.

Are laboratory and sample studies eligible?

Yes. Laboratory and analytical studies of samples are included. This can include extraterrestrial materials returned by spacecraft, and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth-observing mission data.

Can proposals focus on parameters needed to interpret measurements?

Yes. Determining atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret remote-sensing or in situ measurements is listed as an example of eligible work.

Does the solicitation include applications or information systems for societal benefit?

Yes. It includes creating applications or information systems that translate Earth science research outputs into usable products for societal benefit.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary substantially by what is proposed and by the specific ROSES program element. NASA notes awards can be under $100,000 per year for focused tasks like data analysis, and can exceed $1 million per year for large efforts such as building science hardware.

How many awards will be made?

The number of awards varies by program element based on available funds, proposal merit, program priorities, and submission volume. Some program elements may have less than $1 million available while others may have several million, which can result in anything from a handful to several dozen awards.

What types of funding instruments might NASA use?

Awards may be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter-/intra-agency transfers. The instrument used largely depends on the type of organization applying and the nature of the work.

How long is the typical period of performance?

Performance periods are typically four years. Some program elements may specify shorter or longer periods, up to a maximum of five years.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad: government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and domestic and foreign institutions may submit proposals.

Are there restrictions on the number of submissions or teaming arrangements?

No stated restrictions are listed on the number of submissions or teaming arrangements in the information provided.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Yes, eligibility includes foreign institutions. However, NASA generally funds U.S. institutions, and participation by non-U.S. organizations is governed by NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning foreign partners typically participate without receiving NASA money directly.

What does NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy mean for foreign partners?

Based on the information provided, it means foreign organizations typically participate without receiving NASA funds directly, even if they are involved in the proposed work.

Are any ROSES program elements jointly issued with non-U.S. partners?

Some ROSES program elements may be jointly issued with non-U.S. partners (for example, certain guest observing opportunities). Those cases can include additional instructions beyond the general ROSES framework.

Where can applicants find the rules affecting non-U.S. proposals?

The NASA Guidebook for Proposers is referenced for detailed rules affecting non-U.S. proposals and cases involving U.S. personnel needing NASA support.

What is the overall timeline for Notices of Intent (NOIs)?

NOIs are requested for most program elements, with NOI due dates ranging from March 18, 2011 through February 8, 2012. The exact date depends on the specific program element.

What is the overall timeline for full proposal submissions?

Proposal due dates begin April 29, 2011 and extend through April 30, 2012. The exact due date depends on the relevant ROSES appendix/program element.

Are deadlines the same for all topics?

No. Deadlines are organized by individual program elements, and the exact NOI and proposal due dates depend on the specific appendix/program element.

Can the solicitation change after release?

Yes. NASA anticipated amendments and new program elements could be added through February 2012, and encouraged applicants to monitor updates for clarifications and corrections.

Where should applicants look for amendments, updates, and corrections?

Applicants are encouraged to monitor the NSPIRES site and the ROSES 2011 amendment archive/RSS feed for updates, clarifications, and corrections.

How are proposals submitted?

Submission is electronic and tied closely to NASA's NSPIRES system. Proposals require structured entries and official authorization within the submission platforms.

Is NSPIRES registration required?

Yes. Any organization planning to propose must be registered in NSPIRES.

If submitting through Grants.gov, is additional registration required?

Yes. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in Grants.gov in addition to NSPIRES.

Who must be registered in NSPIRES (investigators and team members)?

All investigators and other participants, including co-investigators, must have NSPIRES registrations regardless of whether the final submission goes through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Who is allowed to submit the proposal on behalf of an organization?

Submissions must be made by an authorized organizational representative.

Why does NASA recommend starting registration early?

Because proposals require structured entries and official authorization in NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov, and NASA encourages teams to begin registration and system familiarization early.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science).

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls in the Science and Technology/Research and Development activity category.

Who should be contacted for general ROSES policies and procedures questions?

The agency contact for general ROSES policies and procedures is Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters, with inquiries directed to sara@nasa.gov.

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

For topic-specific questions, applicants are directed to the program officers named in the relevant ROSES appendix sections, since each element can have its own goals, evaluation nuances, and submission instructions.

Where are the specific topics, requirements, and due dates defined?

They are defined by the individual ROSES program elements described in the ROSES appendices and tables, rather than in a single unified set of requirements for the entire solicitation.