ROSES 2012 CloudSat And CALIPSO Science Team Recompete | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2012 CloudSat and CALIPSO Science Team Recompete

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the "ROSES 2012 CloudSat and CALIPSO Science Team Recompete," a NASA Headquarters funding element released under the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012 (ROSES 2012) solicitation.

2) What larger solicitation is it part of?

It is part of NASA's annual ROSES umbrella announcement, which is NASA's primary mechanism for soliciting competed research proposals across Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. This specific item sits under ROSES 2012.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?

Funding Opportunity Number: NNH12ZDA001N. CFDA: 43.001.

4) What does "Science Team Recompete" mean in this context?

It refers to NASA recompeting membership and associated research for the CloudSat and CALIPSO science teams. In other words, NASA is inviting proposals to continue, refresh, or reselect scientific and technical contributions that support those satellite missions and the use of their data.

5) What missions are highlighted by this element?

The named element highlights CloudSat and CALIPSO, and it focuses on proposals that support those missions and their data use through science team participation and related research activities.

6) What kinds of work are supported under this opportunity?

The opportunity supports a wide range of basic and applied research and technology activities typical of ROSES elements. Examples specifically mentioned include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA Science Mission Directorate data; suborbital investigations (airborne, balloon, suborbital, or commercial reusable rocket); development of experiment techniques and measurement approaches relevant to future missions; early concepts and studies for future mission ideas; and advanced technologies that enable or improve NASA science missions.

7) Can proposals include laboratory analysis work?

Yes. The description allows laboratory analysis of extraterrestrial and terrestrial samples when needed to validate or interpret mission observations, as well as determination of atomic and compositional parameters for analyzing space-based measurements.

8) Are Earth surface observations and field campaigns allowed?

Yes. Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA mission science are included among the types of work that can be proposed.

9) Can proposals include Earth system modeling or applications work?

Yes. The opportunity mentions development of integrated Earth system models, as well as applied systems that translate Earth science research into societal-use information products.

10) Where are the specific requirements, deliverables, and evaluation details defined?

The provided description indicates that, consistent with ROSES structure, element-specific requirements, deliverables, and evaluation details are usually provided in the relevant appendix/program element text within ROSES.

11) How large can awards be?

Award size is flexible and depends on the scope of work. NASA indicates awards can range from under $100,000 per year for narrowly scoped efforts (such as focused data analysis) to more than $1 million per year for large, resource-intensive efforts (such as hardware or extensive development activities).

12) How much total funding is available?

Total funding availability varies by program element, from less than $1 million to several million dollars. This range allows NASA to select anywhere from a handful to dozens of proposals depending on merit, alignment with objectives, and available budgets.

13) What types of funding instruments might NASA use?

Funding instruments can include grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument used depends on the nature of the proposing organization and NASA's program needs.

14) How long is the typical period of performance?

Periods of performance are typically four years. Some elements may allow shorter or longer periods, up to a five-year maximum.

15) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broadly defined in principle: organizations of many types may submit (government or private, for-profit or nonprofit, domestic or foreign). The description also states there are no stated restrictions on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

16) Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to participate?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate under NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning they can collaborate but should not expect NASA to transfer funds to them. They must follow the guidebook instructions for foreign participation, especially in cases where U.S. personnel would be supported.

17) Does NASA generally fund non-U.S. institutions directly?

The description notes that, in practice, NASA funding is generally provided only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. participation is addressed through the "no exchange of funds" approach.

18) Are there limits on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

No specific restrictions are stated in the provided information on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

19) What registrations are required before submitting?

The submitting organization must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting via Grants.gov, the organization must be registered there as well, in addition to NSPIRES.

20) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

All investigators and participants, including co-investigators, must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission pathway.

21) Who is allowed to submit the proposal on behalf of an organization?

The organization must identify authorized organizational representatives who can submit proposals.

22) What are the key dates for this specific posting?

Posted/Creation date: May 18, 2012. Closing date (original and current): July 25, 2012. Archive date: August 24, 2012.

23) Did ROSES 2012 use a single deadline for all elements?

No. ROSES 2012 operated on a rolling schedule of program-element due dates, beginning in early May 2012 and extending into March 2013.

24) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) part of ROSES 2012?

Notices of Intent were requested for many ROSES 2012 elements, and the earliest cited NOI date in the provided information is March 16, 2012.

25) Where do applicants find amendments, clarifications, and corrections?

Amendments, clarifications, and corrections were made available through NSPIRES and an online archive/RSS feed. Proposers were encouraged to monitor those sources for updates through the ROSES cycle.

26) Where can the full solicitation be accessed?

The full solicitation was made available through the NSPIRES portal under open solicitations, with additional context and updates posted on NASA's ROSES web pages.

27) Who should be contacted for program-specific questions?

Program-specific questions are directed to the designated Program Officers listed within the relevant ROSES appendices.

28) Who should be contacted for general ROSES policy and procedural questions?

General ROSES policy and procedural questions were directed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (Science Mission Directorate) via sara@nasa.gov and the listed phone contact.

29) What submission-planning guidance does NASA emphasize?

NASA emphasizes starting registrations and system familiarization well ahead of deadlines to avoid submission problems.

30) Does this description specify the exact evaluation criteria?

No. The provided information notes that evaluation details are usually contained in the relevant appendix/program element text, which is consistent with the broader ROSES structure.