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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2011 IceBridge Research (NNH11ZDA001N / ICEBR)

1) What is the ROSES 2011 IceBridge Research opportunity?

ROSES 2011 IceBridge Research is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity released under NASA's annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitation. It was issued as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) and is associated with Funding Opportunity Number NNH11ZDA001N (sometimes labeled with the ICEBR tag). Although the entry is titled for IceBridge research, it sits inside the broader ROSES 2011 structure, where the detailed requirements are defined by the relevant ROSES appendix program element(s).

2) Is this a standalone solicitation or part of a larger ROSES solicitation?

It is part of the larger ROSES 2011 solicitation. IceBridge-related requirements, topics, evaluation details, points of contact, and any element-specific submission rules would be found in the applicable ROSES appendix program element(s), not solely in the high-level listing.

3) Which NASA organization is sponsoring this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as part of ROSES 2011.

4) What kinds of activities can be proposed under ROSES 2011 (as described in this listing)?

ROSES 2011 is broad and can support a wide range of basic and applied research and related technology work aligned with NASA SMD goals. The listing describes activities including theoretical studies, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; airborne and suborbital investigations (aircraft, balloons, rockets); development of new experimental techniques and instrumentation concepts for future missions; early mission concept development; advanced technologies that could feed into NASA missions; laboratory and analytical work on extraterrestrial or terrestrial samples used to validate measurements; development of parameters and reference data needed to interpret observations; Earth surface observations and field campaigns; integrated Earth system model development; and efforts to translate Earth science research data into societal applications and usable information systems.

5) How does IceBridge relate to the broader science areas covered by ROSES 2011?

IceBridge is most directly aligned with Earth Science, but ROSES 2011 spans multiple NASA science areas, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. IceBridge-related work would typically be proposed under Earth science-focused ROSES program elements that match the topic.

6) What kinds of IceBridge-related work does this listing suggest might be supported?

Based on the way the listing frames ROSES work, IceBridge-related proposals could include activities tied to airborne campaign data analysis, methodology improvements, instrument concepts, algorithm development, and other research that helps interpret or extend IceBridge-style measurements in support of NASA Earth science objectives. The specific allowable topics depend on the relevant ROSES appendix program element(s).

7) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels are intentionally variable and depend on the scope of the proposed work. The announcement notes that awards could range from under $100,000 per year for narrow or focused efforts (such as data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year for large-scale activities (such as development of science experiment hardware).

8) How much total funding is available overall?

Total funds available vary by program element. The listing indicates totals could range from less than $1 million to several million dollars per element, meaning NASA could fund from a handful to dozens of proposals depending on the element's goals and the quality and quantity of submissions.

9) What types of funding instruments might NASA use?

The listing explicitly notes grants and cooperative agreements as funding instruments for this opportunity. It also indicates that in some cases NASA may use contracts or interagency transfers depending on the proposer type and program needs.

10) What is the typical period of performance?

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

11) What are the key dates for ROSES 2011 IceBridge Research (as summarized here)?

The release date is February 18, 2011, and the posting date is March 21, 2011. Notices of Intent (NOIs) were requested for most program elements, with NOI due dates beginning March 18, 2011 and continuing through February 8, 2012. Full proposal due dates began April 29, 2011 and continued through April 30, 2012. For the specific entry summarized here, April 29, 2011 is listed as the original and current closing date, with an archive date of May 29, 2011.

12) Why are there multiple NOI and proposal due dates instead of one deadline?

ROSES is organized by program element, and each element can have its own due date. The listing indicates applicants should consult the ROSES tables and the relevant appendix program element(s) for the exact NOI and proposal due date tied to the IceBridge-related element they are targeting, since deadlines can differ across elements.

13) Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

The listing states NOIs were requested for most program elements. Whether an NOI is required or how it is used depends on the specific program element described in the ROSES appendices.

14) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is described as broad in principle: organizations of every type may submit, including government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and domestic or foreign institutions. The listing also states there were no stated restrictions on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

15) Can non-US organizations participate?

Yes, but with important limitations described in the listing. NASA generally provides funding only to US institutions. Non-US organizations may participate only under NASA's no-exchange-of-funds policy, meaning the foreign organization would typically support its own participation financially. The ROSES guidebook and Appendix B are referenced for details and special cases, including situations involving US personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

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

The listing states there were no stated restrictions on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

17) What systems are used to submit proposals?

Submission is electronic. Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or via Grants.gov. However, the listing indicates that NSPIRES registration is required regardless of whether a proposal is submitted through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov.

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

Yes. The listing states NSPIRES registration is required regardless, and Grants.gov registration is also required if using the Grants.gov pathway.

19) Who must submit the proposal on behalf of an organization?

The listing indicates proposals must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative, and that applicants should ensure organizational registration and authorized submission authority are in place.

20) Do all investigators need to be registered in NSPIRES?

Yes. The listing states all investigators and participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES, and proposers must be properly affiliated with an institution in NASA's electronic systems.

21) Should applicants expect changes to the ROSES 2011 solicitation after it is posted?

Yes. The listing highlights that ROSES is frequently amended. Applicants are directed to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe for notifications for updates and new program elements through February 2012, and to use NASA's ROSES 2011 web archive for amendments, clarifications, and corrections.

22) Where do applicants find the IceBridge-specific requirements, topics, and evaluation criteria?

The listing indicates those details are described in the relevant ROSES appendix program element(s), along with element-specific points of contact and any element-specific submission rules. Applicants are expected to consult the ROSES tables and appendices to identify the correct element and its requirements.

23) Who should be contacted with questions?

The listing provides two levels of contact. Program-specific questions should be directed to the program officers listed within each program element's appendix summary. General ROSES policy and procedure questions can be directed to Dr. Max Bernstein, Lead for Research in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, using the sara@nasa.gov email and the phone number listed in the announcement.

24) What does it mean that this is a NASA Research Announcement (NRA)?

The listing describes this opportunity as an NRA released under ROSES 2011 to support competed research and related technology work aligned with NASA SMD goals. (Any additional legal or procedural meaning beyond that would be defined in ROSES documentation and the relevant program element.)

25) How should applicants choose the right due date and submission instructions for IceBridge-related proposals?

Because ROSES is organized by program element, the listing indicates applicants should identify the applicable IceBridge-related program element in the ROSES tables and appendices, then follow that element's specific due date, points of contact, and any element-specific submission rules.