ROSES 2013 Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2013 Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration (NNH13ZDA001N)

What is "ROSES 2013 Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration"?

It is a NASA Headquarters research solicitation that appears as a focus area within NASA's broader "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013" (ROSES 2013) framework. It invited proposals for research and technology development that would help define, evaluate, and reduce risk for measurement approaches and instrument concepts relevant to potential future Europa exploration missions.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH13ZDA001N. It is often referenced under NASA's larger ROSES 2013 announcement.

Which part of NASA issued this solicitation?

The solicitation is described as a NASA Headquarters research solicitation within the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) ROSES 2013 structure.

What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The opportunity was designed to fund studies and technology maturation work that help NASA define, evaluate, and de-risk measurement approaches and instrument concepts before they are selected for flight missions, specifically pointing toward early instrument concept work relevant to future Europa exploration.

Is this opportunity only about Europa?

No. ROSES 2013 is broad by design and spans many SMD research and technology areas. This particular focus area, "Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration," points proposers toward work that would directly inform potential Europa payload capabilities, measurement priorities, instrument architectures, and readiness steps, but it sits inside a much larger solicitation with many non-Europa topics.

What kinds of work were invited under ROSES 2013 (as described here)?

The described scope includes basic and applied research and technology development across SMD, such as theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; development of new experiment techniques for future space missions; mission and instrument concept development; and advanced technology development enabling future SMD missions.

Does the solicitation include laboratory or sample-related work?

Yes. It includes laboratory and analytical work tied to extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples used to validate or interpret mission observations. It also includes atomic and compositional parameter determinations needed to analyze space-based measurements.

What types of Europa-related outcomes did NASA want proposals to inform?

Based on the description provided, proposals were expected to inform possible payload capabilities, measurement priorities, instrument architectures, and instrument readiness and de-risking steps that support future Europa mission planning.

How much funding could an award be?

Award sizes could vary widely depending on the scope. Smaller, tightly scoped efforts (such as data analysis or modeling studies) might be under $100,000 per year, while larger efforts (such as building and demonstrating science instrument hardware) could exceed $1,000,000 per year.

How much total funding was available?

Total funding available varies by program element and is generally described as ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars. Because it varies by element, NASA could select anywhere from only a few proposals to many dozens depending on objectives and the quality and quantity of submissions.

How many awards would NASA make?

The number of selections could vary significantly by program element and available funding. The description indicates NASA could select anywhere from only a few proposals to many dozens depending on the element's objectives and the quality and quantity of submissions.

What funding mechanisms could NASA use to make awards?

Awards could be made using multiple mechanisms, including a grant, cooperative agreement, contract, or inter/intra-agency transfer. The mechanism would be chosen based on the nature of the work and the proposing organization.

What is the typical performance period?

A typical performance period was about four years. Some elements could allow shorter or longer periods up to a maximum of five years.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as intentionally wide by organizational type, including domestic and foreign organizations, government and private entities, and both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Are teaming arrangements allowed? Is there a limit on the number of proposals?

Yes, teaming arrangements are allowed, and there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements based on the information provided.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Yes, non-U.S. organizations can participate, but NASA emphasized that projects involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis. In practical terms, NASA typically funds U.S. institutions while non-U.S. partners participate using their own support, unless special joint arrangements apply.

Does NASA provide funding directly to non-U.S. institutions?

NASA noted that, in general, it provides funding only to U.S. institutions, with specific guidance for non-U.S. participation referenced in the NASA guidebook for proposers.

What system(s) were used to submit proposals?

The process was fully electronic. Proposals had to be submitted by an authorized organizational representative through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov.

Is NSPIRES registration required?

Yes. Organizations were required to be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether they submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

If submitting through Grants.gov, are there additional registration requirements?

Yes. If submitting via Grants.gov, registration in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov was required, based on the description provided.

Do investigators and key personnel need to be registered in NSPIRES?

Yes. All investigators and key participants had to be registered in NSPIRES.

Who must submit the proposal in the electronic system?

The proposal had to be submitted by an authorized organizational representative.

Did NASA request a Notice of Intent (NOI)?

For many ROSES elements, NASA requested a Notice of Intent (NOI) in advance to help program staff plan review workload. However, an NOI is typically not a binding requirement unless a specific element states otherwise.

What were the key dates for this posting?

The posting lists a Posted Date of May 3, 2013, an application deadline (Current Closing Date) of June 10, 2013, and an Archive Date of July 10, 2013.

Were there multiple deadlines across ROSES 2013?

Yes. ROSES 2013 had multiple due dates across many appendices and program elements, with due dates staggered across the year. Definitive requirements, due dates, and scope for each topic were provided in the ROSES appendices and associated tables.

Where should applicants look for definitive topic requirements and due dates?

The description points to the ROSES appendices and the associated tables in the solicitation as the definitive source for requirements, due dates, and topic scope.

Could NASA issue amendments or clarifications after posting?

Yes. NASA highlighted that amendments and clarifications could be issued and encouraged proposers to monitor NSPIRES and the ROSES 2013 web archive for updates.

Who should applicants contact for topic-specific questions?

For topic-specific guidance, NASA pointed applicants to the program officers listed in each appendix element.

Who should applicants contact for general ROSES policy and procedures questions?

General ROSES policy and procedures questions could be directed to Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA Headquarters, using sara@nasa.gov and the listed phone number referenced in the solicitation.