ROSES 2014 Earth Science U.S. Participating Investigator | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2014 Earth Science U.S. Participating Investigator (NNH14ZDA001N ESUSPI)

What is ROSES 2014 Earth Science U.S. Participating Investigator (NNH14ZDA001N ESUSPI)?

It is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity under the 2014 Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) omnibus solicitation. It supports basic and applied research that advances NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Earth and space science objectives.

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to fund research and related activities that advance NASA SMD objectives across Earth and space science. The solicitation is intentionally broad and can support traditional research as well as technology development and mission-enabling work that benefits current and future NASA investigations.

What types of activities can be supported under this solicitation?

Examples of supported work include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; investigations using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital platforms; development of experimental techniques and advanced technologies relevant to future missions; and concepts for new space missions.

Does the opportunity support analysis of NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) datasets?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes analyzing SMD science data as an example of supported work.

Are suborbital or platform-based investigations included (aircraft, balloons, ISS, CubeSats, etc.)?

Yes. The solicitation describes investigations using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital platforms as examples of eligible activities.

Can proposals include technology development or mission-enabling work?

Yes. The opportunity is meant to fund not only traditional research but also technology development and mission-enabling work that helps current and future NASA investigations.

Does this solicitation support laboratory and analytical work on samples?

Yes. It covers lab and analytical work on samples, including extraterrestrial materials returned by spacecraft and Earth samples used to validate or interpret observations from Earth system science missions.

Are Earth surface observations and field campaigns supported?

Yes. The solicitation supports Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA missions.

Does the opportunity support Earth system modeling?

Yes. It includes the development of integrated Earth system models.

Is applied research that produces societal benefits and usable information products eligible?

Yes. The solicitation supports applied research systems that translate Earth science data into societal benefits and usable information products.

How much funding is available per project?

Funding levels can vary significantly by program element and project scope. Smaller, focused efforts may be funded at under $100,000 per year, while large, resource-intensive activities can exceed $1 million per year.

How much budget is available at the program-element level?

NASA indicates that available budgets at the program-element level range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. Depending on goals and proposal quality, an element might fund only a handful of proposals or several dozen.

How long are awards expected to last?

NASA expects most awards to run about four years, although some program elements may be shorter or longer. The overall maximum period of performance is five years.

What is the maximum period of performance allowed?

The maximum period of performance stated is five years.

What funding mechanisms might NASA use for awards?

NASA may make awards using grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The mechanism depends on the nature of the proposing organization and any specific program requirements.

What funding instrument types are associated with this opportunity listing?

The listing associates the opportunity with grants and cooperative agreements.

Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing is not required.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is science and technology and other research and development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is open to a wide range of organizations, including government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit institutions, and both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations.

Does NASA fund non-U.S. organizations directly?

NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions. Proposals involving non-U.S. organizations are typically handled under NASA's "no exchange of funds" policy, meaning NASA does not transfer funds to the non-U.S. partner.

Can non-U.S. participants be involved in some cases?

Yes. Non-U.S. participation may be possible under specific conditions described in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers, and some jointly issued solicitations with foreign partners can include special participation rules.

Are teaming arrangements allowed?

Yes. Teaming arrangements are allowed.

Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization may submit?

No restriction is stated on the number of proposals an organization may submit.

How must proposals be submitted?

Proposals must be submitted electronically, and submission must be completed by an authorized organizational representative.

What submission systems can applicants use?

Applicants can submit through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov. However, all proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES.

Do organizations need to register in NSPIRES if they submit via Grants.gov?

Yes. All proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov.

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

Yes. All principal investigators and other named participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the proposal is submitted via NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Does ROSES have a single topic and a single deadline?

No. ROSES is organized into many individual program elements in the solicitation appendices, each with its own scope, point of contact, and due date.

Where can applicants find the list of program elements and their due dates?

The opportunity directs applicants to Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES 2014 solicitation. Table 2 is organized by due date, and Table 3 is organized by subject area.

Can deadlines or program elements change after the initial release?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and new elements may be released through approximately February 2015, and applicants are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications for updates, corrections, or clarifications.

What is the posting date for this opportunity?

The posting date listed is June 19, 2014.

What is the original/current closing date shown in the listing?

The listing shows an original/current closing date of August 28, 2014, while also noting that ROSES includes multiple element-specific deadlines.

Who should be contacted for general policy or procedural questions?

For general policy and procedural questions, the opportunity points to the SMD ROSES contact, Max Bernstein, via sara@nasa.gov.

Who should be contacted for program element-specific questions?

Element-specific questions are directed to the program officers identified within the relevant appendices for each program element.