ROSES 2013 Advanced Component Technology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2013 Advanced Component Technology (ACT)

1) What is the ROSES 2013 Advanced Component Technology (ACT) opportunity?

Advanced Component Technology (ACT) is a program element within NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013 (ROSES 2013). It is part of a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) issued by NASA Headquarters under Funding Opportunity Number NNH13ZDA001N, inviting proposals for research and technology development that support NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) missions.

2) What is the purpose of this solicitation?

The purpose is to feed and strengthen future and ongoing NASA science missions by funding work that advances the underlying science, instruments, methods, and enabling technologies used across Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

3) Which NASA directorate is tied to this funding?

This opportunity is tied to NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD).

4) What types of activities are within scope?

The scope is broad and includes basic and applied research and technology development that directly supports NASA science objectives. Examples called out include:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data
• Investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets
• Development of experimental techniques suitable for future space missions
• Development of mission concepts
• Development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions (the core theme of ACT)
• Laboratory techniques and analyses for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft
• Laboratory techniques and analyses for terrestrial samples used to support or validate Earth observations
• Work to determine atomic and compositional parameters needed to interpret space-based measurements and returned samples
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting SMD missions
• Integrated Earth system modeling
• Applied systems translating Earth science research data into usable products for societal needs

5) Is ACT limited only to technology development?

No. While ACT emphasizes advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions, ROSES 2013 overall (and the examples provided in the description) also encompass research such as data analysis, theory, modeling, mission concepts, field campaigns, laboratory analyses, and applied systems, as long as the work supports NASA science objectives and fits the targeted program element requirements.

6) How much funding can a project request?

Funding levels vary widely by the nature and scale of the effort. The solicitation notes that awards may range from under $100,000 per year for tightly focused efforts (such as data analysis) to more than $1,000,000 per year for large, resource-intensive activities (such as building or maturing science experiment hardware).

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

Funding is managed at the level of individual program elements within ROSES. Each program element may have anywhere from less than $1 million to several million dollars available. The number of awards supported can range from a handful to several dozen selections depending on program goals and the quality and quantity of proposals received.

8) What kinds of award instruments might NASA use?

NASA may issue awards using multiple instruments depending on the proposing organization and program requirements. The opportunity lists grants and cooperative agreements as eligible funding instruments, and also notes that contracts and inter- or intra-agency transfers may be used in some cases.

9) What is the typical project period of performance?

The typical period of performance is about four years. Some program elements may specify shorter or longer durations, but the upper limit is generally capped at five years.

10) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is described as broad: government or private entities, for-profit or non-profit organizations, and domestic or foreign institutions may submit proposals.

11) Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Non-U.S. organizations can participate, but NASA policy generally restricts direct funding to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. participation is usually under a "no exchange of funds" arrangement, meaning NASA does not provide them funding. The solicitation notes that special instructions apply for situations involving foreign organizations and U.S. personnel requesting NASA support, as described in the NRA guidebook and ROSES appendices.

12) Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit or team on?

No limit is stated. The description indicates there is no stated limit on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements an organization may pursue.

13) How are proposals submitted?

Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative. Submission can occur through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal data system) or through Grants.gov, depending on the program element and proposer preference.

14) Do we need to register in NSPIRES even if we submit through Grants.gov?

Yes. The solicitation emphasizes that every organization intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting via Grants.gov, the organization must be registered there as well, in addition to NSPIRES.

15) Do principal investigators and co-investigators need NSPIRES registration?

Yes. All principal investigators and co-investigators must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted via NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

16) Are there recommendations about registration timing?

Yes. NASA strongly encourages applicants to start registrations and system familiarization well ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute access or validation issues.

17) What are the key dates for the ACT opportunity?

Key dates are set by individual program elements within ROSES and are published in due-date tables and appendices. In the source listing provided here for ROSES 2013 ACT, the posted/creation date is December 19, 2013, the original and current closing date is April 2, 2014, and the archive date is May 2, 2014.

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

Many ROSES program elements request a Notice of Intent (NOI) ahead of the full proposal. Whether an NOI is requested for ACT depends on the specific ACT appendix and the due-date tables referenced by the NRA.

19) Where do applicants find the detailed technical requirements and evaluation expectations?

Applicants are directed to the ROSES appendices for detailed technical requirements, evaluation expectations, and program-specific instructions. The appendices also provide points of contact for each program element (Program Officers).

20) Who is the general contact for ROSES policy and procedural questions?

For general policy and procedural questions about ROSES, the announcement lists the SMD research lead contact as Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (sara@nasa.gov; 202-358-0879).

21) Can the solicitation change after it is posted?

Yes. The opportunity notes that amendments and clarifications may be issued. Applicants are encouraged to monitor NASA web locations associated with ROSES 2013 for updates, including an archive and an RSS feed for changes.

22) What should applicants rely on to confirm the exact deadline for their submission?

Applicants should rely on the specific appendix for ACT and the official ROSES due-date tables to confirm exact deadlines that apply to the targeted program element.