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ROSES 2011 ASTEP (Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets) - FAQs

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2011 Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) element under NASA Headquarters' broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2011 solicitation. ROSES 2011 is formally identified as NNH11ZDA001N. ASTEP is one program element within the larger ROSES umbrella.

2) Who is offering the opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by NASA Headquarters under the NASA Science Mission Directorate through the ROSES 2011 solicitation framework.

3) What is the main purpose of ASTEP?

ASTEP focuses on astrobiology-oriented science and technology efforts aimed at exploring planets. In general terms, it supports work that helps NASA develop, validate, and mature scientific approaches and technical capabilities needed to detect, characterize, or understand environments relevant to life and habitability beyond Earth.

4) How does ASTEP fit within ROSES 2011?

ROSES 2011 supports a wide spread of basic and applied research and technology work across NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. ASTEP sits inside that larger landscape as the astrobiology and planetary exploration technology element, so proposals typically need a clear connection to future planetary science investigations, astrobiology measurements, or mission-relevant technology maturation.

5) What kinds of activities or work are supported under ROSES/ASTEP?

The solicitation describes many types of work NASA considers "supporting research and technology." Based on the opportunity description, that includes:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of existing NASA science data
• Development of new laboratory and field techniques
• Instrument, measurement, and experiment methods that could fly on future missions
• Early mission concept development
• Advanced technology development relevant to future spaceflight investigations
• Laboratory analysis methods for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft
• Laboratory analysis of terrestrial analog samples used to interpret or validate spacecraft observations
• Determination of atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret remote sensing and sample measurements
• Field campaigns and surface observations that strengthen NASA Earth or planetary mission science
• Efforts tied to integrated modeling and applied information systems when relevant to NASA objectives

6) Does ASTEP support instrument or hardware development?

Yes. The scope described for ROSES includes instrument, measurement, and experiment methods that could fly on future missions, as well as advanced technology development and larger efforts such as building or advancing science experiment hardware.

7) Can proposals focus only on data analysis or modeling?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes theory, modeling, and analysis of existing NASA science data. ROSES also notes budgets can be under $100,000 per year for narrowly scoped work such as focused data analysis.

8) Are laboratory and sample analysis methods included?

Yes. The scope explicitly includes laboratory analysis methods for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples used to interpret or validate spacecraft observations. It also includes determination of atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret remote sensing and sample measurements.

9) What funding instruments are used for ASTEP awards?

Funding is offered as discretionary federal assistance, and (depending on the specific program element and proposer) may potentially be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter/intra-agency transfers. For ASTEP specifically, the listed funding instrument types include grants and cooperative agreements.

10) How much funding is available per award?

Award sizes can vary widely under ROSES. The notice describes budgets from under $100,000 per year for narrowly scoped work (such as focused data analysis) up to more than $1 million per year for larger efforts (such as building or advancing science experiment hardware).

11) How much total funding is available within a program element like ASTEP?

The total amount available within a given program element may range from under $1 million to several million in total. As a result, NASA might select only a handful of proposals in some areas or several dozen in others, depending on goals, proposal quality, and available funding.

12) What is the typical performance period for awards?

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

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open by organizational type. Domestic and foreign organizations, government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit institutions may submit proposals. The opportunity also states there is no stated limit on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

14) Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Yes, foreign organizations may submit. However, NASA generally funds U.S. institutions, and participation by non-U.S. organizations is governed by NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy. In practice, international partners usually must support their own costs unless a specific joint solicitation states otherwise.

15) What does NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy mean for international partners?

It means that non-U.S. organizations typically cannot receive NASA funding directly for their costs and generally must fund their participation themselves, unless a specific joint solicitation explicitly provides otherwise. The opportunity directs proposers to follow the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for details on structuring non-U.S. participation.

16) Is there a limit on how many proposals an organization can submit?

The opportunity description states there is no stated limit on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

17) When was ROSES 2011 released?

ROSES 2011 was released on February 18, 2011.

18) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

NOIs are requested for most program elements. NOI due dates run from March 18, 2011 through February 8, 2012, depending on the specific program element.

19) When are proposals due?

Proposal due dates for ROSES 2011 begin April 29, 2011 and extend through April 30, 2012, with specific deadlines listed in ROSES tables and appendices. For the ASTEP posting information captured in the provided source data, the opportunity was posted July 11, 2011, with an original and current closing date of September 16, 2011, and an archive date of October 16, 2011.

20) Why do the dates vary across the ROSES 2011 cycle?

ROSES is an umbrella announcement with multiple program elements, and individual program elements can have their own submission windows within the larger ROSES cycle. The specific deadlines are provided in ROSES tables and appendices.

21) 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 via Grants.gov, but NSPIRES registration is required in all cases.

22) Is NSPIRES registration required even if submitting through Grants.gov?

Yes. Organizations submitting through Grants.gov must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES, and NSPIRES registration is required regardless of the submission path.

23) Who needs to be registered in NSPIRES?

The registration must identify the authorized officials who can submit proposals. In addition, all principal investigators and other key participants must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

24) Does NASA recommend registering early?

Yes. NASA emphasizes registering early and becoming familiar with NSPIRES and (if applicable) Grants.gov well before the relevant due date.

25) Where can applicants find ASTEP-specific requirements and evaluation criteria?

Applicants are directed to the ROSES appendices for program-specific details, including the exact scope for ASTEP, required proposal components, evaluation criteria, and points of contact.

26) Can the ROSES 2011 solicitation be amended after release?

Yes. NASA notes that ROSES may be amended over time. Proposers are expected to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe for updates. NASA also maintains a web archive and an RSS feed for amendments, clarifications, and corrections on its science research solicitations site.

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

General questions about ROSES policies and procedures are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (Science Mission Directorate), using the sara@nasa.gov contact and the phone number listed in the announcement.

28) Who should be contacted for technical questions about ASTEP?

Technical questions about specific program elements are handled by the program officers named in the relevant ROSES appendix sections.

29) What is the official solicitation identifier for ROSES 2011?

The ROSES 2011 solicitation is formally identified as NNH11ZDA001N.

30) What are the two primary submission portals mentioned?

The two electronic submission paths mentioned are NASA NSPIRES and Grants.gov, with NSPIRES registration required in all cases.