ROSES 2012 Terrestrial Ecology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2012 Terrestrial Ecology (NNH12ZDA001N)

1) What is ROSES 2012, and where does Terrestrial Ecology fit?

ROSES 2012 stands for Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2012, a NASA Research Announcement under Funding Opportunity Number NNH12ZDA001N. Terrestrial Ecology is one program element within ROSES 2012 and sits within NASA's broader Science Mission Directorate research portfolio.

2) What is the purpose of the Terrestrial Ecology element?

The Terrestrial Ecology element is aimed at research that advances understanding of Earth system processes on land. It typically emphasizes work that uses NASA-relevant observations and data products, field and surface campaigns tied to NASA science needs, and modeling or analysis that strengthens the science return of NASA missions.

3) What kinds of research activities does this opportunity support?

Within ROSES 2012 (including Terrestrial Ecology), NASA indicated interest in a broad range of work, including theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; development of experiment techniques that could be used on future missions; concepts and technologies that enable future missions; and Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA science missions.

4) Does the opportunity support laboratory analysis work?

Yes. ROSES 2012 included laboratory analysis of samples. This could include extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth-observing mission data, as well as efforts to improve parameters needed to interpret measurements.

5) Are applied or decision-support oriented activities included?

Yes. NASA described interest in the development of integrated Earth system models and applied information systems that translate Earth science research outputs into societal or decision-support uses, as long as these efforts are consistent with NASA objectives and NASA data.

6) How broad is the scope of work NASA expected to fund?

The scope was intentionally broad and could vary significantly by program element and by the ambition of the proposed work, ranging from narrowly focused data analysis efforts to large, resource-intensive technology or hardware development activities.

7) What funding levels were described for ROSES 2012 awards?

NASA described that awards could be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts such as data analysis, and could exceed $1 million per year for large, resource-intensive activities such as developing science hardware. Actual levels depend on the specific element and the proposed scope.

8) How much funding was available within individual program elements?

Budgets available within individual program elements were described as ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars total. As a result, some elements might fund only a few projects, while others might support dozens, depending on proposal quality and program priorities.

9) What award mechanisms could NASA use?

Awards could be made through multiple mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument depends on the organization receiving the award and the nature of the work being proposed.

10) What is the typical project duration?

The typical period of performance was stated as four years. Some elements could allow shorter or longer periods, up to a maximum of five years.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was open to a wide range of organization types, including government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and both domestic and foreign organizations.

12) Can non-US organizations participate?

Yes, foreign organizations were included in the stated eligibility. However, NASA emphasized its general policy of providing funding primarily to US institutions and noted that participation by non-US organizations is typically on a "no exchange of funds" basis.

13) What if a non-US proposal includes US personnel who need NASA support?

NASA referenced additional guidance and special instructions for non-US participation in the NASA NRA Guidebook for Proposers, including situations where non-US proposals involve US personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

14) When were proposals due for ROSES 2012?

ROSES 2012 operated on a rolling schedule with multiple due dates by program element. Across ROSES 2012 overall, proposal due dates began May 4, 2012 and extended through March 22, 2013 (depending on the element).

15) Were Notices of Intent (NOIs) requested?

Yes. NASA requested Notices of Intent for most elements, with early NOI timing beginning March 16, 2012.

16) Why do some portal listings show different dates than the overall ROSES schedule?

Individual elements or listings can be surfaced and tracked in grants portals with their own posting and closing dates even though the umbrella ROSES solicitation spans many elements and deadlines. In the summarized Grants.gov listing described here, the posting date is August 16, 2012, the closing date (original and current) is September 18, 2012, and the archive date is October 18, 2012.

17) How were proposals submitted?

Submissions were required electronically. NASA directed applicants to use either NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or Grants.gov, depending on the pathway allowed for a given element.

18) Do applicants need NSPIRES registration even if submitting through Grants.gov?

Yes. NASA stated that organizations had to be registered in NSPIRES. For those submitting through Grants.gov, Grants.gov registration was also required in addition to NSPIRES.

19) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

NASA required that all investigators and participants (including co-investigators) be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission route.

20) Who is allowed to submit the final proposal?

NASA required that the authorized organizational representative be identified to submit the final proposal.

21) Where do applicants find the Terrestrial Ecology scientific topics and specific requirements?

Applicants were directed to the ROSES 2012 appendices for the specific scientific topics, constraints, and program officer contacts associated with each program element, including Terrestrial Ecology.

22) Where are the relevant due dates listed?

NASA referenced ROSES tables that list due dates by program element.

23) Should applicants expect amendments or updates?

Yes. NASA advised proposers to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications for amendments, clarifications, corrections, and newly added program elements through approximately February 2013, when a subsequent ROSES solicitation was anticipated.

24) Who should be contacted for questions?

General policy and procedure questions for ROSES were routed to the Science Mission Directorate research lead contact listed in the announcement. Element-specific questions were to be addressed to the program officers identified in the appendices.

25) Any practical submission advice mentioned by NASA?

NASA encouraged prospective applicants to start registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute access or submission issues, particularly because NSPIRES registration was required for organizations and for all investigators/participants.