ROSES 2014 Atmospheric Composition Spectral Climate Signal | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ROSES 2014 Atmospheric Composition Spectral Climate Signal (ACSCS)?

Atmospheric Composition Spectral Climate Signal (ACSCS) is a program element within NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2014 omnibus solicitation. It falls under Funding Opportunity Number NNH14ZDA001N and uses the element tag ACSCS. The element is intended to support research aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) objectives, with detailed topic scope and requirements provided in the ROSES appendices and tables.

What is the overall purpose of this opportunity?

The overall purpose is to fund basic and applied research that supports NASA SMD. For ACSCS, this includes research that advances space and Earth science objectives, particularly work that improves the understanding and interpretation of spectral measurements relevant to atmospheric composition and climate signals and that connects directly to NASA science data and missions.

What kinds of research activities does ROSES 2014 generally support (as described here)?

ROSES 2014 is described as intentionally broad. Supported activities can include theory development, modeling, algorithm development, data analysis, and creating or improving observing and analysis capabilities tied to NASA science data and missions.

Does this opportunity support analysis of NASA mission data?

Yes. The description explicitly includes analysis of NASA mission data as an example of the types of efforts that may be proposed.

Are modeling and integrated Earth system modeling approaches allowed?

Yes. Proposed efforts may include development of models and integrated Earth system modeling approaches, as well as research that improves interpretation of spectral measurements relevant to atmospheric composition and climate signals.

Can proposals include algorithm development and data analysis related to spectral measurements?

Yes. The opportunity indicates interest in advancing interpretation of spectral measurements and supports related algorithm and data analysis work that ties to NASA science data and missions.

What platforms or investigation types can be part of proposed work?

The solicitation allows a wide range of platforms and project types, including studies tied to aircraft campaigns, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital or reusable launch vehicle investigations.

Does NASA welcome technology or technique development under this solicitation?

Yes. Beyond data analysis, proposals may target development of experiment techniques and advanced technologies that could be infused into future SMD missions.

Is mission concept work eligible?

Yes. The summary states NASA welcomes mission concept work that helps define future observations or instruments.

Does ROSES 2014 support end-to-end science pipeline work (not just final data interpretation)?

Yes. The description emphasizes end-to-end support for the science pipeline, including work that strengthens earlier steps needed to produce and interpret space-based and Earth science data products.

Are laboratory and analytical techniques for returned extraterrestrial samples included?

Yes. The opportunity description includes laboratory and analytical techniques for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft as part of the broader ROSES 2014 scope described here.

Does it include laboratory work on terrestrial samples related to Earth observations?

Yes. The summary notes laboratory work on terrestrial samples that helps validate or interpret Earth observations.

Are projects that determine atomic/compositional parameters for analyzing space-based data products included?

Yes. The description highlights determination of atomic and compositional parameters needed to analyze space-based data products.

Are Earth surface observations and field campaigns supported?

Yes. The solicitation highlights Earth surface observations and field campaigns that strengthen or ground-truth NASA Earth system measurements.

Is applied research or information product development within scope?

Yes. For applied and societal-impact work, the summary mentions development of systems that translate Earth science research data into usable information products and applied information systems aligned with SMD objectives and data streams.

How much funding is available for a typical project?

Funding can vary widely depending on the work. Smaller focused efforts (such as limited data analysis) may be under $100,000 per year, while larger complex activities (such as developing science experiment hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

How much total funding is available under the program element?

At the program-element level, total funding is described as ranging from less than $1 million to several million dollars. The number of awards can vary significantly depending on proposal quality, program priorities, and how many meritorious submissions are received.

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Awards may be issued as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or as inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument used depends on the proposing organization type and NASA program needs.

What is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years. Some elements may allow shorter or longer terms, up to a maximum of five years.

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is described as expansive: organizations of every type may submit, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions.

Is there a restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No. The summary states there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and will NASA fund them?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but NASA emphasizes that projects involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis. This typically means NASA funding is provided only to U.S. institutions, and non-U.S. participants are expected to contribute without receiving NASA funds unless a joint NRA or special guidance applies.

Where should non-U.S. proposers look for the exact rules on international participation?

The announcement directs non-U.S. proposers to NASA's NRA Guidebook (including Appendix B and other cited sections) for exact rules and special cases, including situations involving U.S. personnel who may require NASA support.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

How do proposals need to be submitted?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative by the applicable due date(s) for the relevant program element.

What submission systems can be used?

Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or via Grants.gov. However, NSPIRES registration is required in all cases.

If submitting through Grants.gov, what additional registrations are required?

Organizations submitting through Grants.gov must also register there and must identify authorized representatives who are permitted to submit.

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

Yes. All investigators and participants, including principal investigators and co-investigators, must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted via NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Why does NASA recommend registering early?

NASA strongly advises completing registrations and becoming familiar with the submission systems well before the deadline to avoid administrative delays.

What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The posted date is March 17, 2014. The original and current closing date is May 1, 2014. The archive date is May 31, 2014.

How is this opportunity categorized?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 43.001 (Science).

Where do applicants find the element-by-element due dates and topics within ROSES?

Because ROSES is an umbrella solicitation, the announcement points proposers to ROSES Table 2 and Table 3. Table 2 is organized by due date, and Table 3 is organized by subject area.

Can ROSES 2014 be amended after the initial release?

Yes. The description notes that amendments and new program elements can be released through February 2015.

Where should applicants monitor for official updates, changes, and clarifications?

Applicants are directed to monitor NSPIRES and/or subscribe to NASA's electronic notification services, and to consult the ROSES amendment archive on NASA's SARA site for official updates.

Who should be contacted for general ROSES policy or procedure questions?

General ROSES solicitation questions are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein (Lead for Research, SMD) via sara@nasa.gov.

Who handles scientific and element-specific questions for ACSCS?

Program-element details are handled by the individual program officers listed in the ROSES appendices and on NASA's program officer directory.

Where are the detailed technical scope, evaluation criteria, and special submission instructions typically found?

The summary explains that these details are typically contained in the corresponding ROSES appendix entry for the element rather than in the short summary text.