ROSES 2013 Astrobiology Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the "ROSES 2013 Astrobiology, Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology" opportunity?

It is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity listing under the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013 (ROSES 2013)," solicitation number NNH13ZDA001N. This listing highlights astrobiology-related themes, but it sits within the broader ROSES 2013 structure.

2) Which NASA organization is behind this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued through NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as part of ROSES 2013.

3) What kinds of research does ROSES 2013 aim to fund?

ROSES 2013 is designed to fund both basic and applied research, as well as enabling technology development, aligned with NASA Science Mission Directorate priorities. Supported work can contribute to NASA science goals through data analysis, theory, modeling, laboratory studies, field work, and development of future mission concepts and instrumentation.

4) Is this opportunity limited only to astrobiology?

No. While this listing highlights astrobiology-related themes, it is part of the larger ROSES 2013 umbrella that spans Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

5) How broad is the scope of work NASA was looking for?

The scope is intentionally broad. NASA sought proposals that could include (but were not limited to) existing NASA data analysis, theoretical and computational modeling, laboratory studies, field work, development of methods for future missions, early-stage mission concepts, and advanced technology development relevant to SMD missions.

6) Does the solicitation support analysis of existing NASA science data?

Yes. Analysis and interpretation of existing NASA science data is explicitly included as an example area of interest.

7) Are theory and computational/modeling studies allowed?

Yes. Theoretical and computational modeling are explicitly included as possible proposal activities.

8) Can proposals involve laboratory studies?

Yes. Laboratory studies and laboratory techniques are included, including analyses relevant to extraterrestrial samples and terrestrial analog samples.

9) Can proposals include field work and terrestrial analog studies?

Yes. Field work is included, and the solicitation specifically mentions terrestrial analog samples that help interpret or validate remote observations. It also references Earth surface observations and field campaigns that directly support NASA Earth system science.

10) Are suborbital platforms and airborne investigations within scope?

Yes. NASA listed investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable suborbital platforms among the possible activities.

11) Does ROSES 2013 support experimental methods or technology development for future missions?

Yes. It includes development of experimental methods that could be used on future missions and advanced technology development relevant to SMD missions.

12) Are early-stage concepts for future space missions eligible?

Yes. Early-stage concepts for future space missions are explicitly listed as within scope.

13) Can proposals address instrumentation or science experiment hardware?

Yes. The solicitation notes that large activities can include development of science experiment hardware, with budgets potentially exceeding $1 million per year.

14) Does the opportunity include work related to returned extraterrestrial samples?

Yes. It explicitly includes laboratory techniques and analyses for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft.

15) What is meant by determining "atomic and compositional parameters" in the solicitation?

The solicitation called out needs such as determining atomic and compositional parameters required for analyzing space-based measurements and returned samples.

16) Does ROSES 2013 include applied Earth science work?

Yes. For applied Earth science, ROSES 2013 encompassed integrated Earth system modeling and systems that translate research data into societal benefits and usable information products aligned with NASA objectives.

17) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels were flexible and depended on the scale of the proposed work. Typical budgets could be under $100,000 per year for narrow, focused tasks (such as limited data analysis) and could exceed $1 million per year for large activities (such as development of science experiment hardware).

18) How much total funding is available within a program element?

Within each program element, the available funding generally ranged from less than $1 million to several million dollars total.

19) How many proposals might NASA select?

Because program-element funding totals vary and depend on goals and proposal quality/quantity, NASA could select anywhere from a handful to dozens of proposals within an element.

20) What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Awards could be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- or intra-agency transfers. The choice of instrument depends on applicant type and NASA program requirements.

21) What is the typical project period of performance?

The usual performance period was four years. Some elements allowed shorter or longer periods up to a five-year maximum.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad: domestic and foreign entities, government and private organizations, for-profit and nonprofit groups were all permitted to propose.

23) Are there limits on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

No restrictions on the number of submissions were stated in the provided description.

24) Are teaming arrangements allowed?

Yes. The materials indicate there were no restrictions on teaming arrangements.

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

International participation is allowed, but NASA's standard policy generally applies: projects involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, meaning NASA typically would not provide funding to the non-U.S. organization.

26) Where can applicants find detailed rules affecting non-U.S. entities?

Applicants were directed to the NASA NRA Guidebook for detailed rules affecting non-U.S. entities, including situations involving U.S. personnel on non-U.S. proposals where NASA funding is requested, and cases where an NRA is jointly issued with an international partner.

27) How are proposals submitted?

ROSES 2013 was managed through NASA's NSPIRES system. Proposals were accepted electronically either via NSPIRES or through Grants.gov, depending on the pathway chosen by the applicant organization.

28) Do applicants need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. Any organization intending to apply needed to be registered in NSPIRES.

29) If submitting through Grants.gov, is NSPIRES registration still required?

Yes. Organizations submitting through Grants.gov also needed Grants.gov registration in addition to NSPIRES.

30) Who must be registered in NSPIRES (investigators, co-investigators, etc.)?

All investigators and proposal participants (such as co-investigators) were required to be registered in NSPIRES regardless of submission method.

31) What is an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and why does it matter here?

The registrations had to identify the authorized organizational representative responsible for submitting the proposal.

32) Why did NASA recommend starting registration early?

NASA emphasized starting registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute submission problems.

33) What were the key dates for this specific listing?

The listing indicates it was posted April 2, 2013, with a closing date of June 14, 2013, and an archive date of July 14, 2013.

34) Are there additional due dates beyond the ones listed for this specific entry?

Yes. More broadly, ROSES uses program-element-specific due dates and often requests a Notice of Intent (NOI) ahead of proposal submission for many elements. Exact deadlines are provided in ROSES tables and appendix summaries.

35) Where do applicants find detailed requirements for a specific program element?

Applicants were directed to consult the ROSES appendices for detailed requirements of each program element, including scientific expectations, special constraints, and the program officer point of contact.

36) How can applicants stay informed about amendments or clarifications to ROSES 2013?

NASA encouraged monitoring the NSPIRES solicitation page and subscribing to its electronic notification system, since ROSES often receives amendments, clarifications, or corrections after initial release. NASA also maintained a web archive (and RSS feed) to track amendments for ROSES 2013.

37) Who is the general contact for ROSES-wide policies and procedures?

The primary general contact listed for ROSES-wide policies and procedures was Max Bernstein (Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters), with inquiries directed to the SARA email address and the listed NASA Headquarters phone number.

38) Who should applicants contact with program-element-specific questions?

Program-element questions were routed to the program officers named in each appendix's key information section.