ROSES 2013 Heliophysics Grand Challenges Research | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is ROSES 2013 Heliophysics Grand Challenges Research, Funding Opportunity Number NNH13ZDA001N. It is a specific program element within NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013 (ROSES 2013) announcement, managed by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate.

2) How does this relate to ROSES 2013 overall?

It functions as one element under the ROSES umbrella. ROSES includes multiple program elements, each with its own detailed scope, requirements, and schedule. The element-specific details are provided in the ROSES appendices and the supporting tables referenced by ROSES.

3) What kinds of projects does this solicitation support?

The solicitation is designed to fund basic and applied research, plus technology development, supporting NASA science goals across multiple disciplines. For this specific element, the emphasis is on work aligned with NASA's Heliophysics program and its "grand challenge" research themes.

4) What activities are within the stated scope?

The described scope is intentionally broad and can include:

• Theory, modeling, and data analysis using NASA Science Mission Directorate data sets
• Investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets
• Development of new experimental techniques and instrumentation approaches suitable for future missions
• Early-stage mission concept development
• Advanced technology development intended for infusion into future NASA efforts
• Laboratory and analytical work tied to extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft
• Laboratory work on terrestrial samples used to validate NASA Earth observations
• Determination of key atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret remote-sensing or in situ measurements
• Work supporting Earth surface observations and field campaigns
• Integrated Earth system modeling
• Systems translating Earth science research results into practical applications and information systems aligned with NASA objectives and data products

5) Is the scope limited only to Heliophysics?

The specific opportunity emphasizes alignment with NASA's Heliophysics program and grand-challenge themes, but it sits within a broader ROSES framework that spans a wide spectrum of space and Earth science research and enabling capabilities. Applicants are expected to follow the element-specific scope and requirements described in the relevant ROSES appendix.

6) How much funding is available per project?

Funding levels are highly variable and are intended to match the scale of the proposed work. Smaller, focused efforts (for example, discrete data analysis projects) may be under $100,000 per year, while larger, more complex activities (for example, development of science experiment hardware) may exceed $1,000,000 per year.

7) How much funding is available at the program-element level?

NASA indicates that available funding at the program-element level can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. This generally translates into funding from only a few proposals up to several dozen, depending on element goals and the quality and quantity of submissions.

8) What is the expected project period of performance?

NASA expects most awards to run about four years. Some elements may specify shorter periods, and the stated maximum period of performance is five years.

9) What types of awards or agreements might NASA use?

The government may make awards using multiple instruments depending on the proposer and the work, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly described under the ROSES framework. Many types of organizations may apply, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and both domestic and foreign institutions.

12) Are there limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No restriction is stated on the number of proposals or on teaming arrangements in the provided description.

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

NASA notes an important limitation for non-U.S. participation. NASA policy generally requires that research involving non-U.S. organizations be done on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA funds typically do not flow to foreign institutions. Additional guidance for foreign organizations and collaborations is referenced in NASA's NRA Guidebook for Proposers.

14) Does my institution need to be registered in NSPIRES?

Yes. The listing emphasizes that proposers must be affiliated with an institution registered in NSPIRES, and that every proposing organization must be registered in NSPIRES.

15) If we submit through Grants.gov, do we still need NSPIRES registration?

Yes. Applications may be submitted through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov (depending on the element and the applicant's approach), but all investigators and participants (including co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of which submission portal is used. Organizations using Grants.gov must also be registered in Grants.gov.

16) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

Per the listing, the proposing organization must be registered, and all investigators and participants, including co-investigators, must be registered in NSPIRES.

17) Is an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) required?

Yes. NASA requires that the authorized organizational representative be identified for submission.

18) What are the key dates for this specific posting?

The public listing states the opportunity was posted on July 16, 2013. The original and current closing date is August 15, 2013. The archive date is September 14, 2013.

19) Are due dates the same across all ROSES 2013 program elements?

No. ROSES 2013 describes a staggered schedule of due dates across program elements. Notices of intent are requested for many elements, and proposal due dates vary by appendix as listed in ROSES tables. Applicants are expected to confirm the exact due date and any notice-of-intent requirements for their chosen element in the relevant appendix and due-date tables.

20) Where do we find the detailed requirements for this program element?

The detailed requirements and scope for each ROSES program element are laid out in the ROSES appendices and supporting tables. Applicants are also directed to NASA's amendment archive for updates, clarifications, and corrections.

21) How do we submit an application?

Applications must be submitted electronically, either through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov, depending on the program element and the applicant's approach.

22) Why does NASA recommend starting early?

The solicitation encourages applicants to begin registration and system familiarization early to avoid last-minute submission problems, since NSPIRES (and Grants.gov when used) registration and account setup can be gating steps.

23) Who do we contact with questions about a specific program element?

Program-element questions are routed to the individual program officers named in the ROSES appendices.

24) Who do we contact for general ROSES policy or procedural questions?

General ROSES policy and procedural questions are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters (sara@nasa.gov; 202-358-0879), as provided in the listing.