ROSES 2012 Heliophysics Research Geospace Science | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2012 Heliophysics Research - Geospace Science (NASA ROSES 2012)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the ROSES 2012 Heliophysics Research - Geospace Science opportunity, which sits under NASA Headquarters' broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012 (ROSES 2012) solicitation. It is issued under Funding Opportunity Number NNH12ZDA001N and is a NASA Research Announcement (NRA).

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

It is part of a large umbrella solicitation (ROSES 2012) that contains many topics and requirements laid out in individual appendices and tables. The geospace science focus is one item within the larger ROSES structure.

Which NASA mission areas does ROSES 2012 cover?

ROSES 2012 spans NASA Science Mission Directorate program areas, including Heliophysics (this item focuses on geospace science), Earth Science, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

Where is the announcement accessed and submitted?

The announcement is accessed through NASA NSPIRES, and proposals are submitted electronically via NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov (with specific registration requirements for both).

What types of work are supported under this solicitation?

The opportunity supports a wide mix of basic and applied research and technology development tied to NASA science objectives. Examples mentioned include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data, as well as technology and experiment development relevant to NASA missions.

Does the opportunity support hands-on investigations and platforms like aircraft or rockets?

Yes. The solicitation includes investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rocket platforms.

Can proposals include development of instruments, experiment techniques, or mission concepts?

Yes. It covers development of new experiment techniques for future missions, early-stage concepts for future space missions, and advanced technologies relevant to NASA missions. It also notes that larger awards can be associated with development of science experiment hardware.

Does ROSES 2012 support laboratory analysis and sample-based work?

Yes. ROSES allows proposals involving laboratory work on extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, laboratory and field studies using terrestrial samples that support interpretation/validation of NASA Earth observations, and determination of atomic or compositional parameters needed to analyze space-based measurements.

Are applied projects allowed, or is it strictly basic research?

Applied work is allowed when aligned with NASA Science Mission Directorate goals. The solicitation includes integrated Earth system modeling and development of systems that translate research data into usable information for societal or operational needs, as long as the work aligns with SMD objectives.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely depending on scope. The solicitation notes that some awards may be under $100,000 per year for focused efforts such as limited data analysis, while larger projects can exceed $1 million per year (particularly for major activities like development of science experiment hardware).

How much funding is available within a given program element?

The amount available within each specific program element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, NASA may fund only a handful of proposals in some areas or several dozen in others, depending on priorities, proposal quality, and available budgets.

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

NASA expects to make awards using multiple legal instruments depending on the work and the proposing organization, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

How long is the typical performance period?

The typical performance period is about four years. Some program elements may specify shorter periods or allow up to five years.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no stated cost-sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad: government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and domestic and foreign organizations may submit.

Does NASA fund non-U.S. organizations?

NASA emphasizes that it generally funds only U.S. institutions. Participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically handled under a "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning NASA funding is not provided to the non-U.S. entity.

Where can non-U.S. participants find the detailed rules that apply to them?

Non-U.S. participants are directed to consult the NASA NRA Guidebook provisions, including Appendix B and other relevant sections, for detailed rules and situations involving internationally connected proposals (including when U.S. personnel would require NASA support).

Is NSPIRES registration required?

Yes. NSPIRES registration is required for all proposers.

If an organization submits through Grants.gov, is NSPIRES still required?

Yes. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in NSPIRES in addition to Grants.gov.

Who must be registered in NSPIRES besides the submitting organization?

All investigators and key participants (including co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Who is responsible for submitting the proposal?

The authorized organizational representative must submit the proposal electronically.

What does NASA recommend regarding registrations and system preparation?

NASA strongly encourages organizations and investigators to complete registrations and become familiar with NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov well before the relevant deadline to avoid last-minute access or data-entry issues.

Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

NOIs are requested for most program elements. An early NOI date identified in the solicitation is March 16, 2012.

When are proposals due?

Proposal due dates depend on the specific appendix/program element. Proposal due dates begin May 4, 2012 and extend through March 22, 2013.

The listing shows a closing date of April 13, 2012. Is that the real deadline?

The posted grant listing associated with this opportunity shows a posting date of March 20, 2012, a listed closing date of April 13, 2012, and an archive date of May 13, 2012. However, applicants are expected to rely on the ROSES tables and the program-element appendices for the controlling due dates and any topic-specific instructions.

Where do I find the detailed scope and evaluation criteria?

Applicants are directed to the ROSES 2012 appendices for the detailed scope, evaluation criteria, and key information for each program element.

How do I find the right point of contact for a technical question about geospace science?

Technical questions about a specific geospace science (or other) program element are intended to be handled by the Program Officers listed in the relevant appendix sections.

Who should I contact for general ROSES policies and procedures questions?

General questions about ROSES policies and procedures are routed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (email: sara@nasa.gov; phone: 202-358-0879).

Can the solicitation change after it is posted?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments, corrections, and clarifications may be issued during the solicitation period.

How can applicants stay updated on amendments or clarifications?

Proposers are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications, and to consult the ROSES 2012 web archive and RSS feed maintained by NASA.