ROSES 2013 The Science of Terra and Aqua | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is ROSES 2013 The Science of Terra and Aqua (TERAQ)?

ROSES 2013 The Science of Terra and Aqua (Funding Opportunity Number NNH13ZDA001N, also labeled TERAQ) is a NASA Headquarters research solicitation released under Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2013 (ROSES 2013). It is issued as a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) to invite proposals that advance basic and applied research and enabling technology tied to NASA science priorities, including Earth Science (which can include Terra and Aqua data and related science), as well as Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is intended to fund research that uses NASA science data, improves how those data are collected and interpreted, and develops tools, techniques, and technologies that support current and future NASA missions.

3) What types of activities or projects are in scope?

NASA describes a broad scope of eligible activities, including:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data
• Investigations using aircraft, stratospheric balloons, suborbital rockets, and commercial reusable rockets
• Development of experimental techniques and instrument or measurement approaches suitable for future missions
• Early concept work for future space missions
• Development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD mission needs
• Laboratory and analytical work on returned extraterrestrial samples
• Laboratory and analytical work on terrestrial samples that help validate or interpret Earth system observations
• Determination of atomic or compositional parameters needed to analyze space-based data and samples
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA missions
• Integrated Earth system model development
• Projects that translate Earth science research data into societal applications, including applied information systems aligned with SMD objectives and data use

4) Is the scope limited only to Terra and Aqua data?

No. While the opportunity is labeled as The Science of Terra and Aqua and can include Terra and Aqua data and related science, it is released under the broader ROSES 2013 umbrella and invites proposals aligned with NASA SMD priorities that also include Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.

5) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely by program element and the scale of the work proposed. NASA notes that some awards can be under $100,000 per year for focused efforts such as data analysis, while other awards can exceed $1 million per year for larger activities such as hardware or major experimental development.

6) Is there a single total funding pool for this opportunity?

No. NASA indicates that available funding is not a single fixed pool. Each program element within ROSES has its own budget, typically ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars, which influences how many proposals may be selected (from a small handful to several dozen).

7) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. NASA states that no cost sharing or matching is required under this opportunity (CFDA 43.001, Science).

8) What award mechanisms might NASA use?

NASA may issue awards using different mechanisms depending on the proposing organization and the needs of the specific program element. NASA indicates selections may be made as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or through inter- or intra-agency transfers.

9) How long can a project last (period of performance)?

The usual project period is four years. Some program elements may allow shorter or longer durations, with an overall maximum period of performance of five years.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across organizational types. NASA indicates that universities, nonprofits, for-profits, government entities, and other organizations may apply. Both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations are allowed in principle, subject to NASA's standard policy regarding funding.

11) Can non-U.S. organizations receive NASA funding under this opportunity?

NASA's standard policy is that funding generally goes only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. participation is typically handled on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA does not transfer money to the non-U.S. organization.

12) Where can non-U.S. proposers find the detailed rules for participation?

The announcement directs non-U.S. proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules, including situations where non-U.S. proposals involve U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

13) How do applicants submit a proposal?

The application process is electronic and routed through NASA's NSPIRES system. In many cases, proposals may also be submitted via Grants.gov. Regardless of the submission pathway, organizations must meet the stated registration requirements.

14) What registrations are required to apply?

Every proposing organization must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must also be registered there. Submissions must be made by an authorized organizational representative identified through these registrations. In addition, principal investigators and all other participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES.

15) Why does NASA emphasize registering early?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to complete registrations and become familiar with NSPIRES and (if applicable) Grants.gov well ahead of deadlines to avoid administrative delays.

16) What are the key dates mentioned for this opportunity?

The ROSES 2013 solicitation was expected to be available around February 14, 2013 via the NSPIRES solicitations page, with the opportunity posted March 1, 2013. Notices of Intent (NOIs) were requested for many program elements, with early NOI dates beginning around mid-March 2013. Proposal due dates are staggered by program element across the ROSES schedule. For this specific Grants.gov listing, the original and current closing date is May 20, 2013, with an archive date of June 19, 2013.

17) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

NASA indicates that NOIs were requested for many program elements, with early NOI dates beginning around mid-March 2013. Whether an NOI is requested depends on the specific program element, as reflected in the ROSES tables and appendices.

18) Where do applicants find the exact due date for their program element?

Due dates are program-element-specific and are listed in ROSES tables and appendices. Applicants are directed to consult those materials for the applicable schedule.

19) Where are the detailed requirements and evaluation specifics found?

The solicitation states that detailed requirements are in the ROSES appendices for each program element, including what is being asked for, evaluation specifics, and who to contact.

20) How will applicants learn about amendments, updates, or corrections?

Applicants are directed to monitor NSPIRES for amendments and updates and to use NASA's posted web archive and RSS feed for clarifications and corrections.

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

Program officers listed in the relevant ROSES appendices are identified as the main points of contact for element-specific questions.

22) Who is the general policy and procedure contact for ROSES?

The solicitation notes that general policy and procedure questions may be directed to the ROSES lead contact at NASA Headquarters (Max Bernstein), using the SARA email and the phone number listed in the announcement.

23) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The announcement lists CFDA 43.001 (Science).

24) Does NASA specify how many proposals will be selected?

NASA does not provide a single selection number. Instead, selection volume depends on the budget of each program element (typically less than $1 million to several million dollars), which can lead to anywhere from a small handful to several dozen selections per element.