ROSES 2014 Astrophysics Data Analysis | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2014 Astrophysics Data Analysis (ADAP)

1) What is ROSES 2014 ADAP?

ROSES 2014 Astrophysics Data Analysis (ADAP) is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity offered under the broader ROSES 2014 omnibus solicitation (NRA number NNH14ZDA001N). ADAP supports basic and applied research aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), with a strong emphasis on extracting publishable scientific results from NASA astrophysics and related space science data.

2) What is the main goal of ADAP?

The main goal of ADAP is to increase the scientific return from NASA astrophysics missions and archives by funding projects that analyze existing mission data sets, improve analysis methods, and produce new scientific outcomes and interpretations based on those data.

3) What kinds of projects does ADAP typically support?

Within ROSES, ADAP is the element focused on astrophysics data analysis. Typical activities include mining existing observations, improving data analysis pipelines or algorithms, and delivering new science products and interpretations that lead to publishable results.

4) How does ADAP fit within the larger ROSES 2014 solicitation?

ROSES 2014 is intentionally broad and covers many kinds of research and technology across space and Earth sciences. ADAP sits within this larger ecosystem as the program element specifically aimed at astrophysics data analysis, emphasizing the use of existing NASA astrophysics and related space science data.

5) What research activities are included in the overall ROSES 2014 scope?

The solicitation describes a wide range of allowable activities across SMD, including theory and modeling, analysis of SMD science data, work tied to data and investigations from aircraft campaigns, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles, and development of techniques, concepts, and technologies that enable future SMD missions.

6) Does ROSES 2014 include work related to samples and laboratory analysis?

Yes. ROSES 2014 notes laboratory and analytical work connected to extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, terrestrial analog samples used to validate Earth observations, and determination of atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret remote-sensing data or returned samples.

7) Does ROSES 2014 include Earth science work?

Yes. On the Earth science side, ROSES 2014 includes field campaigns, integrated Earth system modeling, and systems that translate research data into applied products and societal benefits.

8) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is NNH14ZDA001N (ADAP).

9) What type of funding opportunity is this categorized as?

This opportunity is categorized as discretionary.

10) What funding instruments are used for awards?

NASA anticipates making awards using several mechanisms depending on the proposer and the nature of the effort. Mechanisms mentioned include grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. For this listing, the funding instruments are identified as grant and cooperative agreement.

11) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science).

12) Is cost sharing required?

No. The listing states that cost sharing is not required.

13) How much funding is available?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the type of work. The solicitation notes that awards can be under $100,000 per year for narrow, focused efforts such as data analysis, and can exceed $1,000,000 per year for large, extensive activities such as developing science experiment hardware. For each individual ROSES program element (including ADAP), NASA expects available funding to range from less than $1 million to several million dollars.

14) How many awards might NASA make under ADAP?

Because the expected funding for a ROSES program element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars, NASA may select anywhere from only a few proposals to several dozen, depending on program priorities and the quality and volume of submissions.

15) What is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years. Some elements may allow shorter or longer durations, with a stated maximum of five years.

16) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad. Government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and domestic and foreign institutions may submit proposals.

17) Are foreign institutions allowed to participate?

Yes, foreign institutions may submit proposals. However, the solicitation emphasizes NASA's general policy of funding U.S. institutions, and participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically allowed only on a "no exchange of funds" basis (meaning NASA does not provide funding to the non-U.S. organization).

18) What does "no exchange of funds" mean for non-U.S. organizations?

"No exchange of funds" means NASA generally does not provide funding to the non-U.S. organization, even if the organization participates in the proposed work.

19) Where are the detailed rules for eligibility and special cases described?

The solicitation points proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules and special cases, including situations involving non-U.S. organizations where NASA support is requested for U.S. personnel.

20) Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

No restriction is stated on the number of proposals. The solicitation also notes that there is no stated restriction on teaming arrangements.

21) How do applicants submit proposals?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative by the due date for the relevant program element. Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES or through Grants.gov, but in both cases the organization must be registered in NSPIRES.

22) Can a proposal be submitted through Grants.gov?

Yes. Proposals can be submitted through Grants.gov, but the organization must be registered in NSPIRES and also registered in Grants.gov if using that portal.

23) Is NSPIRES registration required even if submitting through Grants.gov?

Yes. The solicitation states that in both cases (NSPIRES or Grants.gov), the organization must be registered in NSPIRES.

24) Do principal investigators and co-investigators need to be registered in NSPIRES?

Yes. All principal investigators and other participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of which submission portal is used.

25) Who must submit the proposal?

The proposal must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative.

26) When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on March 17, 2014.

27) What was the closing date for submissions?

The original and current closing date listed is May 16, 2014.

28) When was (or is) the archive date?

The archive date listed is June 15, 2014.

29) Where can applicants find program-specific descriptions and due dates?

Program-specific descriptions, due dates, and any special instructions are located in the ROSES 2014 appendices and in the solicitation tables (Table 2 organized by due date, and Table 3 organized by subject area).

30) Can the ROSES 2014 solicitation change after it is posted?

Yes. NASA highlights that amendments and new program elements could be released through February 2015, and encourages proposers to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications to keep up with changes.

31) How can applicants stay informed about amendments or new program elements?

NASA encourages proposers to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications to stay current on amendments and newly released program elements.

32) Who should be contacted for general policy or procedural questions about ROSES?

For policy and procedural questions about ROSES generally, the point of contact listed is Dr. Max Bernstein (SMD) via sara@nasa.gov.

33) Who should be contacted for ADAP element-specific questions?

Element-specific questions are directed to the relevant program officers named in the ROSES 2014 appendices.

34) What does NASA recommend regarding system registration and preparation?

NASA advises prospective applicants to register and familiarize themselves with NSPIRES (and Grants.gov if applicable) well before deadlines to avoid administrative issues near the due date.