ROSES 2012 Kepler Participating Scientist Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2012 Kepler Participating Scientist Program (KPS)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

It is the ROSES 2012 Kepler Participating Scientist Program (KPS), a competed funding opportunity released under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012 (ROSES 2012) umbrella solicitation. The ROSES 2012 Funding Opportunity Number is NNH12ZDA001N.

2) How does KPS relate to ROSES 2012?

KPS is one specific program element published within the larger ROSES 2012 framework. ROSES is NASA's main annual umbrella call covering multiple science divisions and many distinct competed elements, each with its own requirements described in ROSES appendices and program-element summaries.

3) Which NASA organization manages this opportunity?

The opportunity sits within NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) research portfolio.

4) What is the overall purpose of ROSES 2012?

ROSES 2012 solicits proposals for basic and applied research and technology across space and Earth sciences in support of NASA science goals.

5) What kinds of activities can ROSES 2012 support?

The ROSES 2012 umbrella solicitation is intentionally broad and can include activities such as theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; investigations using aircraft, balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets; development of new experimental techniques that may feed future missions; early-stage mission concepts; advanced technologies relevant to NASA missions; laboratory and analytical work on extraterrestrial samples (and terrestrial samples used to validate space-based measurements); determination of atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret observations; Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting mission science; integrated Earth system model development; and applied systems that translate Earth science data into societal benefits. Specific expectations for KPS are defined in the relevant ROSES appendices and program-element documentation.

6) Which science areas does ROSES 2012 cover?

ROSES spans Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics, with individual topics and requirements set in the ROSES appendices for each program element.

7) How much funding is available?

Funding levels vary widely by the scope of work. The announcement notes awards can be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts like data analysis and can exceed $1 million per year for large, complex efforts such as building science hardware. For a given program element, total available funding typically ranges from less than $1 million to several million dollars.

8) How many awards might NASA make?

Because the total funding per element can range from under $1 million to several million dollars, NASA may fund anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals in a given element. The number selected depends on priorities, proposal quality, and the number of submissions.

9) Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

10) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 43.001 (Science).

11) What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Awards may be issued using different legal instruments depending on the proposing organization and the nature of the work, including grants and cooperative agreements. In some cases, contracts or inter/intra-agency transfers may be used.

12) How long is the period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years, though some program elements may specify different durations. The overall maximum is generally capped at five years.

13) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad by organization type: government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and domestic and foreign organizations can submit.

14) Are there limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No limits are stated. The solicitation notes there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

15) Does NASA fund non-U.S. organizations?

NASA states it generally provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. organizations may participate under NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning they are expected to cover their own costs unless a specific jointly issued NRA with a non-U.S. partner provides different rules.

16) Where can non-U.S. participation rules and special cases be found?

The announcement points proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed instructions, including special cases where a non-U.S. organization proposes and requests NASA funding for U.S. personnel.

17) Where is the solicitation posted and how do applicants access it?

ROSES 2012 is available through NASA's NSPIRES system. Applicants are instructed to access the NASA Research Opportunities homepage and navigate to open solicitations.

18) What are the key dates for the KPS listing captured here?

For the Kepler Participating Scientist Program listing referenced here, the posted date is January 23, 2013, the closing date is March 1, 2013, and the archive date is March 31, 2013.

19) Are ROSES 2012 deadlines the same for every program element?

No. Proposal deadlines under ROSES 2012 were staggered by program element, beginning in May 2012 and running through March 2013. Specific due dates are provided per program element and consolidated in ROSES tables.

20) Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

Many ROSES program elements request a Notice of Intent (NOI) prior to proposal submission. NOIs are submitted electronically, and the specific NOI dates are set per program element.

21) How must proposals be submitted?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative by the stated due date.

22) Can proposals be submitted through Grants.gov?

Yes. Proposals can be submitted via NSPIRES or via Grants.gov. However, the organization must be registered in NSPIRES in either case, and if using Grants.gov it must also be registered there.

23) Do investigators need NSPIRES accounts even if the proposal is submitted through Grants.gov?

Yes. All investigators and participants (such as co-investigators) must have NSPIRES registrations regardless of which submission portal is used.

24) Who must complete the submission in the system?

An authorized organizational representative must submit the proposal electronically by the due date.

25) What does NASA recommend regarding registration and system access?

NASA encourages applicants to start registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute access and compliance problems.

26) Where are the program-specific requirements and evaluation details located?

Program-specific requirements, evaluation details, and points of contact are provided in the ROSES appendices and in the "Summary of Key Information" for each program element. Due dates are consolidated in ROSES tables.

27) How are amendments or updates to ROSES tracked?

NASA notes that amendments and updates can occur and are tracked through NSPIRES notifications and an online amendments archive.

28) Who is the headquarters contact listed for general ROSES policies and procedures?

The listed headquarters contact for general ROSES policies and procedures is Dr. Max Bernstein (Science Mission Directorate), with inquiries directed to the SARA email address provided in the announcement.