ROSES 2012 Interdisciplinary Research in Earth Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ROSES 2012 Interdisciplinary Research in Earth Science (NNH12ZDA001N)?

It is a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicitation under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012 (ROSES 2012). While this specific listing highlights interdisciplinary Earth science, it sits under the larger ROSES umbrella that includes multiple NASA research programs and program elements described in the ROSES appendices.

Is this opportunity only for interdisciplinary Earth science projects?

No. The title emphasizes interdisciplinary Earth science, but ROSES 2012 spans multiple NASA Science Mission Directorate research programs, including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. Proposals must clearly align with one or more specific program elements described in the ROSES appendices.

What kinds of work does ROSES 2012 support?

The solicitation supports a wide range of basic and applied research and technology development that supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Examples described include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; development of new experimental methods relevant to future missions; new concepts for future space missions; and advanced technologies that could be infused into NASA mission architectures.

Does ROSES 2012 support research using aircraft, balloons, or suborbital platforms?

Yes. The opportunity includes investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets.

Does ROSES 2012 cover laboratory analyses of samples?

Yes. It includes laboratory techniques and analyses for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, as well as terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret NASA Earth observations.

What types of Earth science activities are explicitly included?

Examples explicitly included are Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting NASA missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and applied systems that translate Earth science research data into societal benefits (such as information systems and decision support tools tied to NASA objectives and datasets).

How much funding is available per project?

Funding varies substantially by the type and scale of work. Smaller, focused efforts (such as limited data analysis) can be funded at under $100,000 per year, while larger efforts (such as building and developing science hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

Is there a single total funding amount for the entire opportunity?

No. The total funds are not described as a single pooled amount. Instead, each ROSES program element has its own funding range, typically from less than $1 million to several million dollars.

How many proposals might NASA select?

Depending on program goals, available funds, and the number of meritorious submissions, NASA may select anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals within a given program element.

What award mechanisms might NASA use?

NASA indicates awards may be issued through several mechanisms depending on the applicant and program requirements, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

What is the typical project period, and what is the maximum?

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

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad by organizational type. Government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and domestic and foreign organizations may submit proposals.

Are there restrictions on the number of proposals an organization can submit or on teaming arrangements?

No specific restriction is stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and will NASA fund them?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but NASA notes an important constraint: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA typically does not provide funding to those non-U.S. entities. The posting also reiterates that, in general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions, with special guidance for non-U.S. organizations and collaborations referenced in NASA's NRA guidebook and, where applicable, in program-specific instructions.

How are proposals submitted?

The solicitation is administered electronically. Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational official through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

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

Yes. Any organization intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES. Organizations choosing Grants.gov must be registered in Grants.gov in addition to NSPIRES.

Do principal investigators and co-investigators need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. NASA requires that all principal investigators and other participants (such as co-investigators) be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the submission is made through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

When are Notices of Intent due?

Notices of Intent are requested for most program elements. The first listed due date in the summarized information is March 16, 2012, but due dates can vary by program element.

When are proposals due?

Proposal due dates vary by program element. Proposal due dates begin May 4, 2012 and extend through March 22, 2013, depending on the specific program element described in the ROSES appendices and tables.

Why do the posting systems show an April 1, 2013 closing date and a May 1, 2013 archive date?

The summarized source data lists an original and current closing date of April 1, 2013 and an archive date of May 1, 2013. This reflects how the opportunity is represented in government posting systems, even though the authoritative proposal deadlines vary by program element and are provided in the ROSES appendix tables.

Where do applicants find the authoritative requirements and deadlines for a specific program element?

Applicants are directed to consult the ROSES appendices for the specific programs being solicited and the ROSES tables for the authoritative due dates by element.

Can the solicitation change after it is posted?

Yes. NASA indicates that amendments, clarifications, and corrections may be issued during the life of the solicitation. Prospective proposers are encouraged to monitor the NSPIRES solicitation page or subscribe to notifications. A separate web archive and RSS feed are also provided for tracking updates to ROSES 2012.

Who should applicants contact with questions?

For program element questions, applicants should contact the program officer listed in the appendix for that element. For general ROSES policy and procedure questions, NASA directs inquiries to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (sara@nasa.gov, 202-358-0879).

What is a common administrative risk NASA highlights for applicants?

NASA emphasizes that registration logistics and system familiarization are important and encourages applicants to start registration and preparation well before deadlines to avoid administrative issues that could jeopardize submission.