ROSES 2011Astrobiology Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2011 Astrobiology, Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology (NASA)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2011 Astrobiology, Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology listing released by NASA Headquarters under the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2011 NASA Research Announcement (NRA). The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH11ZDA001N.

When was the solicitation released?

The solicitation was released on February 18, 2011.

Is this a standalone grant program or part of a larger announcement?

It is part of the larger ROSES 2011 umbrella announcement. Individual research topics, requirements, and deadlines are organized into program elements described in ROSES appendices, and each program element has its own scope and due dates.

Which NASA directorate priorities does ROSES 2011 support?

ROSES 2011 is aligned with NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities and spans Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. This specific listing is tied to the astrobiology and exobiology research area.

What kinds of projects and activities are supported?

The announcement supports a wide range of basic and applied research and technology development, including:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data
• Laboratory studies and analytical methods to interpret mission data
• Development and maturation of techniques and technologies for future missions
• Concept development for new missions or mission elements
• Work using aircraft, balloon, suborbital rocket, and commercially provided reusable rocket platforms
• Research related to sample analysis, including extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples used to validate or interpret mission observations
• Earth science field campaigns, Earth surface observations, integrated Earth system modeling, and applied information systems that translate Earth science results into societal benefit

Does the opportunity include technology development as well as research?

Yes. In addition to scientific research, it includes enabling technology development and maturation, as well as the tools, measurements, and methods that support NASA science missions.

Are mission concepts or mission-element concepts eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes concept development for new missions or mission elements.

What award size can applicants expect?

Funding levels vary widely by program element and the type of work. The announcement notes awards can range from under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts (such as data analysis) to more than $1 million per year for large, complex efforts (such as developing science experiment hardware).

How much total funding is available?

The amount of funding available differs by program element, typically ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars for a given element. As a result, NASA might fund anywhere from a small handful to several dozen proposals within an element depending on budgets, objectives, and proposal quality.

How long is the typical performance period?

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

What types of award mechanisms might NASA use?

NASA indicates multiple possible mechanisms depending on the applicant type and program needs, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is science and technology and other research and development.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 43.001 (Science).

When were Notices of Intent (NOIs) requested?

NOIs were requested for most program elements beginning March 18, 2011, with NOI dates continuing through February 8, 2012 (depending on the program element).

When were full proposals due?

Full proposals were due starting April 29, 2011 and continuing through April 30, 2012, with specific deadlines depending on the relevant program element in the ROSES appendices.

Why do some system records show a March 2, 2012 closing date?

The posting record shows an Original and Current Closing Date of March 2, 2012 and an Archive Date of April 1, 2012, reflecting how the opportunity was tracked in government systems, even though program-element deadlines extended across the year.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open by organization type: domestic and foreign, government or private, for-profit or nonprofit. The opportunity also indicates there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

Does NASA fund non-U.S. organizations directly?

NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. organizations may participate under NASA policy requiring no exchange of funds, meaning NASA does not send funds to non-U.S. entities and those partners must support their participation through other means.

Where can non-U.S. participation rules be found?

The announcement points proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules affecting non-U.S. participation, including cases involving U.S. personnel for whom NASA funding is requested.

How do applicants submit proposals?

Applications had to be submitted electronically, and registration logistics were emphasized as part of proposal compliance.

Is NSPIRES registration required?

Yes. Organizations needed to be registered in NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System).

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

Yes. If submitting through Grants.gov, organizations also needed Grants.gov registration in addition to NSPIRES.

Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

All principal investigators and other key participants, such as co-investigators, had to be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal was submitted through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov.

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

Submissions had to be made by an authorized organizational representative, and proper authorization and account setup were emphasized as necessary for compliance.

Where can applicants find the full solicitation and updates?

Applicants were directed to the NSPIRES website under open solicitations to find the full solicitation and any updates.

How can applicants track amendments, clarifications, and corrections?

An archive and RSS feed for amendments, clarifications, and corrections was provided through NASA SARA (Shared Services Center / Science Mission Directorate research administration) webpages.

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

For program-element-specific questions, proposers were told to consult the program officers listed in each appendix element's key information summary.

Who is the contact for general ROSES policies and procedures?

The point of contact provided for general ROSES policies and procedures is Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters. The email address listed is sara@nasa.gov and the phone number is (202) 358-0879.

Are applicants expected to monitor changes to the solicitation?

Yes. Applicants were advised to monitor the solicitation for amendments, including updates through February 2012, when the next ROSES cycle was expected.

Is there any limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

The opportunity states there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.