ROSES 2011 Earth Science Applications Disasters | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ROSES 2011 Earth Science Applications Disasters opportunity (DISASTER)?

ROSES 2011 Earth Science Applications Disasters (Funding Opportunity Number NNH11ZDA001N, labeled "DISASTER") was a NASA Headquarters grant and cooperative agreement opportunity released under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2011 NASA Research Announcement (NRA). It focused on research and development that uses NASA Earth science data, models, and related technologies to support societal needs connected to disasters, while aligning with NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities.

2. Is DISASTER a standalone solicitation or part of a larger NASA announcement?

DISASTER was a program element within the larger ROSES 2011 NRA. While the DISASTER tag highlights the Earth Science Applications focus on disasters, the full solicitation context, requirements, and priorities were described in the relevant ROSES appendix and that program element's "Summary of Key Information."

3. What kinds of activities did ROSES 2011 support in general?

ROSES 2011 solicited proposals across a wide spectrum of basic and applied research and technology, including: theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; field campaigns and Earth surface observations that support NASA missions; development of integrated Earth system models; systems that translate Earth science research results into decision support products; and technology or mission-enabling work such as instrument and technique development, concepts for future missions, and advanced technologies relevant to NASA missions.

4. What kinds of projects fit the Earth Science Applications Disasters focus?

Within the ROSES framework, the Earth Science Applications Disasters element points toward projects that improve disaster monitoring, forecasting, risk assessment, response, and recovery using Earth observations and related information systems, often in ways that can be transitioned toward operational or stakeholder use.

5. Which NASA directorate was this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity was designed to fit within NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities, and it was issued by NASA Headquarters as part of ROSES 2011.

6. Did ROSES 2011 only cover Earth Science?

No. ROSES 2011 covered multiple science areas under the ROSES umbrella, including Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics, in addition to Earth Science program elements like the disasters applications focus.

7. When did ROSES 2011 become available?

The ROSES 2011 NRA was available on or about February 18, 2011.

8. Were Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

Notices of Intent were requested for most ROSES program elements. NOI due dates ran from March 18, 2011 through February 8, 2012, depending on the specific program element.

9. When were proposals due under ROSES 2011?

Proposal due dates began April 29, 2011 and extended through April 30, 2012. Different ROSES program elements had different submission deadlines, which were listed in ROSES Tables 2 and 3.

10. Why do the Grants.gov dates for DISASTER look different from the broader ROSES timeline?

The Grants.gov listing for the DISASTER opportunity had its own record lifecycle: posting and creation dates of August 31, 2011; an original and current closing date of November 22, 2011; and an archive date of December 22, 2011. This indicates the specific Grants.gov record operated on its own schedule even though the broader ROSES solicitation included multiple rolling deadlines across different program elements.

11. What award types were available?

Awards under ROSES could be made as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- and intra-agency transfers, depending on the proposing organization and the nature of the work. The Grants.gov record for DISASTER lists the primary instruments as Grant and Cooperative Agreement.

12. What was the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance was about four years. Some program elements allowed shorter or longer terms up to a maximum of five years.

13. How much funding was available, and what were typical award sizes?

Funding levels were flexible and depended heavily on project scope and the specific program element. ROSES 2011 stated awards could range from under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts (such as data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year for large, complex activities (such as development of science experiment hardware). NASA also noted that available funding varied by program element from less than one million dollars to several million dollars, supporting anything from only a few selections to several dozen, depending on program goals and proposal quality/volume.

14. Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The Grants.gov record states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

15. What CFDA number and activity category applied to this opportunity?

The Grants.gov record categorized the activity under Science and Technology and other Research and Development and listed CFDA 43.001.

16. Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad: ROSES allowed many organization types to submit proposals, including government and private, for-profit and non-profit, and domestic or foreign entities. There were no limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements stated in the summary provided.

17. Can non-U.S. organizations receive NASA funding under this opportunity?

NASA policy emphasized that NASA funding generally goes only to U.S. institutions, and participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically on a "no exchange of funds" basis. Non-U.S. proposers and collaborations involving U.S. personnel supported by NASA were directed to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers and the specific ROSES appendix for detailed rules and exceptions.

18. Where should applicants look for the detailed disaster-specific requirements?

Applicants were directed to the ROSES 2011 appendices for program element specifics, including the disasters application element, and to the program element's "Summary of Key Information."

19. How were proposals submitted?

Submission was electronic. Proposals had to be submitted by an authorized organizational official, and submission could occur through NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) or via Grants.gov.

20. What registrations were required to apply?

Every proposing organization had to be registered in NSPIRES. Any organization submitting through Grants.gov also had to be registered with Grants.gov. NSPIRES registration needed to identify authorized organizational representative(s), and all investigators and participants (including co-investigators) were required to be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission route.

21. Who must submit the proposal in the system?

The proposal had to be submitted by an authorized organizational official (often referred to as the authorized organizational representative).

22. Does everyone on the team need to be in NSPIRES even if submitting via Grants.gov?

Yes. All investigators and participants, including co-investigators, were required to be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal was submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

23. What practical advice did NASA give about submission logistics?

NASA strongly encouraged applicants to begin registration and system familiarization well before deadlines to avoid last-minute submission problems.

24. Where would updates, clarifications, or corrections be posted?

Applicants were directed to NASA's amendment archive and RSS feed for updates, clarifications, or corrections issued through February 2012.

25. Who should be contacted with questions about a specific program element like disasters?

Program-element questions were to be sent to the relevant program officers listed in the ROSES appendices.

26. Who was the general point of contact for ROSES policy and procedure questions?

General ROSES policy and procedure questions were directed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (sara@nasa.gov, 202-358-0879).