ROSES 2012 Planetary Atmospheres | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2012 Planetary Atmospheres (PATM)

What is this funding opportunity?

ROSES 2012 Planetary Atmospheres (Funding Opportunity Number NNH12ZDA001N, activity code PATM) is a NASA Headquarters grant opportunity released under the broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012 (ROSES 2012) NASA Research Announcement. It is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) research portfolio and supports competitively selected research and related technology development.

Which NASA office is offering the opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), within the umbrella ROSES 2012 solicitation.

What does "PATM" mean?

PATM is the activity code for the Planetary Atmospheres program element within ROSES 2012.

Is Planetary Atmospheres a standalone solicitation or part of something larger?

It is a targeted program element within the larger ROSES 2012 NASA Research Announcement, which spans multiple NASA science areas including Planetary Science, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics.

What types of work does ROSES 2012 generally fund?

ROSES 2012 has a broad scope and may support basic and applied research and related technology development activities such as theory, modeling, and analysis of mission and program data, along with efforts that enable future investigations and missions.

What types of activities are included in the broader ROSES 2012 scope?

Examples listed for ROSES 2012 include: analyzing SMD science data; developing and flying investigations on aircraft, balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable suborbital platforms; advancing experimental techniques for future space missions; developing concepts for future missions; creating and maturing technologies relevant to SMD missions; laboratory analysis methods for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and for terrestrial samples used to validate or support space-based observations; determining atomic and composition parameters needed to interpret spaceflight data and sample measurements; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD missions; building integrated Earth system models; and developing applied data systems that translate Earth science research into societal benefits.

What is the focus of the Planetary Atmospheres (PATM) element specifically?

The Planetary Atmospheres element generally expects proposals that align with understanding atmospheres of planetary bodies through approaches such as observational analysis, modeling, laboratory studies, and related techniques that support NASA's planetary science objectives. The specific scientific priorities and requirements are typically provided in the relevant ROSES appendix for that program element.

Where are the detailed requirements and scientific priorities described?

Detailed priorities, requirements, and program-specific instructions are typically laid out in the ROSES appendices for each program element, along with tables listing deadlines and other element-by-element information. Applicants are also directed to monitor NSPIRES for amendments and updates and to consult the ROSES online archive for clarifications and corrections.

How much funding is available?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the nature of the proposed work. 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 larger, more complex projects (such as substantial development of science hardware).

How many awards will NASA make?

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

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

NASA may issue awards using different legal instruments depending on the proposer and the work being funded. These may include grants and cooperative agreements, and in some cases contracts or inter- or intra-agency transfers.

How long can a project last?

The typical project period is 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 broad by organization type, including government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and domestic and foreign organizations.

Can non-U.S. organizations apply or participate?

Domestic and foreign organizations can submit proposals, but NASA generally provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. organizations may participate under NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning they can collaborate but are expected to cover their own costs. Additional rules are referenced in NASA's NRA Guidebook for Proposers.

How do applicants submit proposals?

Submissions must be made electronically. Proposals must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative, and all named investigators and participants (such as co-investigators) must have NSPIRES registrations.

What registrations are required?

All proposers must be properly registered in NASA's NSPIRES system. If submitting through Grants.gov, applicants must also be registered in Grants.gov. In addition, all named investigators and participants must have NSPIRES registrations.

When was this opportunity released?

The ROSES 2012 cycle was released around February 14, 2012. The Planetary Atmospheres entry listed here shows a posted/creation date of March 28, 2012.

Was a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?

Notices of Intent were requested for many ROSES program elements, beginning as early as March 16, 2012. Whether an NOI applied to Planetary Atmospheres would be specified in the relevant ROSES appendix and related tables.

What was the proposal due date for the Planetary Atmospheres (PATM) entry provided?

The Planetary Atmospheres entry listed here shows an original and current closing date of June 22, 2012.

Are there other ROSES 2012 due dates besides June 22, 2012?

Yes. Proposal due dates across ROSES began May 4, 2012 and extended into 2013 for various elements. The specific deadline depends on the program element.

What does the archive date mean for this listing?

The listing provided includes an archive date of July 22, 2012, which indicates when this opportunity entry was archived.

How can applicants stay current on changes or amendments?

Applicants are directed to monitor NSPIRES for amendments and updates and to consult the ROSES appendices and tables, as well as the online archive for clarifications and corrections.

Who should be contacted for questions?

For questions and policy guidance, the announcement points to the ROSES lead contact at the time: Dr. Max Bernstein (Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters). Program-specific questions should be directed to the Program Officers identified in the appendix for each program element.