ROSES 2012 Astrophysics Research and Analysis | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2012 Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) / NASA Research Announcement NNH12ZDA001N

What is this funding opportunity?

It is a NASA Headquarters research funding opportunity under the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH12ZDA001N, issued as part of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012 (ROSES 2012). The listing highlights the Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) element, but it sits within the broader ROSES umbrella that spans multiple NASA research programs.

Is APRA the only program covered by this announcement?

No. While the title and tracking information highlight APRA, the solicitation is part of ROSES 2012, which spans multiple NASA Science Mission Directorate areas, including Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science. Applicants propose to specific program elements described in the ROSES appendices.

How is ROSES 2012 organized for applicants?

Applicants propose to specific program elements defined in ROSES appendices. Each element has its own scope, points of contact, and due dates, and applicants are directed to the ROSES tables and the relevant appendix for details.

What types of activities are supported?

The opportunity supports a wide range of basic and applied research and enabling technology development aligned with NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities. Examples described include theory, modeling, analysis of NASA science data, mission-enabling technology development, new experimental techniques, and formulation of concepts for future space missions.

Does this opportunity support technology development and hardware work?

Yes. It includes mission-enabling efforts such as developing new experiment techniques and advancing technologies relevant to future missions, including activities that can involve building or advancing science experiment hardware.

Are non-spaceflight platforms (aircraft, balloons, rockets) included?

Yes. The solicitation includes support for investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets, reflecting interest in platforms that mature instruments and methods prior to spaceflight.

Does ROSES 2012 support laboratory analysis and sample work?

Yes. It explicitly covers laboratory and analytical work tied to samples, including analysis of extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret space-based Earth observations.

Are foundational measurements and parameters within scope?

Yes. Related foundational activities, such as improving atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret remote sensing and sample data, are described as within scope.

Are Earth surface observations and field campaigns eligible?

Yes. Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA missions are described as within scope.

Does the opportunity include applied Earth science work and applications?

Yes. On the applied side, it includes development of integrated Earth system models and systems that translate Earth science research data into societal applications and usable information systems.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely based on the proposed work. The announcement notes awards can be under $100,000 per year for narrow, focused efforts (such as data analysis) and can exceed $1,000,000 per year for larger, more complex activities (such as building or advancing science experiment hardware).

How much funding is available per program element, and how many awards might be made?

Budgets and selections vary by program element. Each element generally has from less than $1 million to several million dollars available, allowing NASA to select anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals depending on priorities and proposal quality.

What award instruments might NASA use?

NASA indicates multiple possible award mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument depends on the proposing organization and specific program requirements.

What is the typical project duration?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to many organization types, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and both domestic and foreign institutions, based on the solicitation description.

Is there a limit on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No restriction is stated in the provided description on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Yes, but with an important constraint described in the opportunity: NASA policy generally requires projects involving non-U.S. organizations to be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, meaning NASA funds are typically not transferred to the non-U.S. institution.

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

In general, the eligibility guidance emphasizes NASA funding is generally provided only to U.S. institutions, with referenced guidebook sections addressing non-U.S. organizations and scenarios where non-U.S. proposals involve U.S. personnel requesting NASA support.

What registrations are required to submit?

Submission is electronic and requires institutional and individual registrations. Proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES. All principal investigators and other proposal participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES.

Can proposals be submitted through Grants.gov?

Yes. Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov. However, the organization must be registered in NSPIRES in either case, and Grants.gov submission additionally requires Grants.gov registration.

Who must submit the proposal?

Proposals must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative, according to the opportunity description.

Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

Notices of Intent are requested for most program elements. The solicitation notes NOI due dates begin in mid-March 2012, but applicants should verify requirements and dates for their specific program element.

What are the key dates and closing date?

The timeline spans much of 2012 into early 2013. Proposal due dates begin in early May 2012 and extend through March 22, 2013, which is listed as the closing date for the opportunity. Different program elements have different deadlines.

Where do applicants find the specific due date for their program element?

Applicants are directed to the ROSES tables listing due dates and to the appendices describing each program element in detail.

Where should applicants look for amendments and updates?

NASA advises applicants to monitor the NSPIRES ROSES page and the NASA SARA ROSES 2012 amendment archive (including an RSS feed) for updates, amendments, clarifications, and corrections through February 2013.

Who should applicants contact with questions?

For element-specific questions, NASA points applicants to the program officers listed in each program element appendix. For general ROSES policy and procedural questions, the announcement directs inquiries to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (contact details are provided in the announcement).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided description.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as discretionary funding and supports science and technology and other research and development. It is associated with CFDA 43.001 (Science).

What is the best way to avoid submission issues close to the deadline?

NASA explicitly encourages organizations to start registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute issues, especially because NSPIRES registration is required and Grants.gov submission adds additional registration steps.