ROSES 2013 Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the ROSES 2013 APRA opportunity?

ROSES 2013 Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program (APRA) is a NASA funding opportunity under the larger Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013 (ROSES 2013) solicitation. ROSES 2013 was issued as NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH13ZDA001N by NASA Headquarters under CFDA 43.001 (Science). APRA specifically supports research, analysis, and enabling technology that strengthens NASA's astrophysics goals and improves the scientific return from NASA astrophysics missions and data.

2) How does APRA fit within ROSES 2013?

ROSES 2013 covers multiple Science Mission Directorate (SMD) areas (including Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics). APRA is within the Astrophysics track and focuses on astrophysics-related research and technology that helps interpret current and future mission data and supports NASA astrophysics science objectives.

3) What kinds of projects can APRA fund?

The APRA opportunity is intentionally broad. Supported activities may include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; development of experimental techniques and instrumentation concepts suitable for future SMD missions; maturation of advanced technologies relevant to those missions; and suborbital or airborne investigations such as aircraft campaigns, stratospheric balloon flights, sounding rockets, and potentially commercial reusable suborbital platforms.

4) Is APRA limited to data analysis, or can it support hardware and technology?

APRA can support both. It may fund narrowly focused efforts such as data analysis, as well as larger efforts such as building or advancing science hardware or enabling technologies that contribute to NASA astrophysics objectives.

5) Does APRA include suborbital and airborne work?

Yes. The description explicitly includes suborbital or airborne investigations, including aircraft campaigns, stratospheric balloon flights, sounding rockets, and potentially commercial reusable suborbital platforms.

6) What is the typical funding level for an APRA award?

Funding levels vary widely based on the scale of work. The announcement notes that awards can be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused work (such as data analysis) and can exceed $1 million per year for larger, more complex activities (such as building or advancing science hardware).

7) How much total funding is available?

Funding is allocated by program element, and each element may have anywhere from less than $1 million to several million dollars available. As a result, NASA may select only a handful of proposals in some areas or several dozen in others depending on priorities, proposal pressure, and merit.

8) What award types might NASA use for this opportunity?

NASA indicates it may use multiple award mechanisms depending on the proposer and the nature of the work, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

9) What is the expected project period of performance?

The typical performance period is four years. Some program elements may allow shorter or longer durations, up to a five-year maximum.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and both domestic and foreign institutions. The solicitation also states there is no stated restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

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

Non-U.S. participation is generally limited. The description notes that NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions, and that participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically allowed only on a "no exchange of funds" basis (meaning NASA will not transfer funding to the non-U.S. entity).

13) Where are the rules for foreign participation explained?

The opportunity points applicants to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for specific rules that apply to foreign participation, including cases where a non-U.S. proposal involves U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

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

The provided description states there is no stated restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

15) How are proposals submitted?

Submission is handled electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system. The opportunity also allows submission through Grants.gov, with the note that registration in both systems is required if using Grants.gov.

16) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

An authorized organizational representative must submit the proposal, and all principal investigators and co-investigators must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES directly or via Grants.gov.

17) Does NASA recommend early registration?

Yes. NASA strongly encourages organizations to complete registrations and become familiar with NSPIRES and (if applicable) Grants.gov well ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute submission problems.

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

Many program elements request an electronic Notice of Intent (NOI) ahead of proposal submission. Applicants are directed to consult the ROSES appendices and tables for element-specific instructions and due dates.

19) Are there universal due dates for APRA proposals?

No. The schedule is staged, with multiple deadlines set by program element rather than a single universal due date. Applicants need to use the ROSES appendices and program-element tables to confirm the deadline that applies to their targeted APRA element.

20) What dates are mentioned for ROSES 2013 and APRA?

The narrative description notes ROSES 2013 becoming available around February 14, 2013, with early NOI dates beginning March 16, 2013, and proposal due dates beginning May 4, 2013 (with additional due dates continuing across the ROSES calendar). The source listing information also reflects APRA posting and closing details (posted December 20, 2013; original closing date March 19, 2014; current closing date March 21, 2014). The exact deadline depends on the specific program element and any amendments.

21) Where can applicants find the definitive requirements for a specific APRA element?

NASA directs applicants to the ROSES 2013 appendices. Each program element includes a Summary of Key Information and identifies the relevant Program Officer.

22) How can applicants stay updated on amendments or clarifications?

NASA maintains an amendments and clarifications archive for ROSES 2013 and encourages proposers to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications to stay current on changes.

23) Who should be contacted with general questions about ROSES policies and procedures?

General questions are routed to the ROSES lead contact listed in the announcement: Dr. Max Bernstein. The provided contact email is sara@nasa.gov, and the opportunity also references a NASA Headquarters phone number included in the announcement.