ROSES 2014 Global Navigation Satellite System Remote Sensing Science Team | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2014 GNSS Remote Sensing Science Team (NASA)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2014 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Remote Sensing Science Team element within NASA Headquarters broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2014 omnibus solicitation (NRA NNH14ZDA001N). It supports basic and applied research that advances NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) goals, with this specific element focused on science and applications enabled by GNSS remote sensing.

2) What is the main purpose of the GNSS Remote Sensing Science Team element?

The purpose is to strengthen the scientific use of GNSS signals as remote sensing measurements. This includes improving theory and modeling, developing or refining retrieval and analysis methods, and building a stronger research foundation that NASA can draw on for current and future Earth-observing efforts.

3) What kinds of work are in scope for this element?

The solicitation is intentionally broad. In the GNSS remote sensing context, proposed work may include efforts that improve scientific use of GNSS signals, advance related theory and modeling, develop or refine retrieval methods, and strengthen analysis approaches used for GNSS-based remote sensing science and applications.

4) Does NASA restrict the types of research activities allowed?

NASA indicates a wide span of allowed research activities, ranging from fundamental studies and data analysis to technology maturation and mission-enabling techniques, as long as the work aligns with SMD objectives and the specific program element requirements described in the ROSES appendices.

5) What are examples of research activities NASA may support under ROSES?

NASA lists examples such as modeling and analysis of SMD data; investigations using aircraft, balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital platforms; development of new experiment techniques suitable for future NASA missions; concept studies for future missions; advanced technology development relevant to SMD missions; and laboratory and field efforts that help validate or interpret observations.

6) Does the opportunity support mission-oriented or technology development work, or only pure science?

It can support both. NASA describes a scope that can include narrowly focused science questions as well as larger, mission-oriented development activities, including advanced technology development and mission-enabling techniques, provided they align with SMD goals and the relevant ROSES program element requirements.

7) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels can vary widely. NASA notes that some awards may be under $100,000 per year for limited efforts such as focused data analysis, while larger and more complex activities (for example, developing science hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

8) How large are the program element budgets overall?

NASA indicates program element budgets can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars total. This enables NASA to select anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals depending on merit and program priorities.

9) What is the typical project period, and is there a maximum length?

The typical project period is four years. Some program elements may be shorter or longer. The maximum period of performance is up to five years.

10) What award types or legal instruments might NASA use?

NASA may issue awards using different legal instruments depending on the nature of the work and the proposing organization. The notice lists grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and interagency or intra-agency transfers.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to many organization types, including government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and domestic or foreign organizations, subject to NASA policies described in the solicitation materials.

13) Can non-US organizations participate?

Non-US organizations may participate with an important constraint: NASA policy generally requires that projects involving non-US organizations be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. In practice, that means NASA typically does not send funding to the non-US entity.

14) Does NASA generally fund foreign institutions directly?

The notice emphasizes that, in general, NASA provides funding only to US institutions. It points proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for the specific rules and exceptions that can apply in international collaborations.

15) How do proposals have to be submitted?

Proposal submission is electronic and must be completed by an authorized organizational representative.

16) Where can proposals be submitted (submission portals)?

Proposers can submit through NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) or through Grants.gov, with registration requirements applying to both approaches.

17) What registration is required to submit?

Every organization intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting via Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES.

18) Do individual investigators need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. All investigators and participants (including principal investigators and co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the team submits via NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

19) Why does NASA recommend starting registration early?

NASA strongly advises starting registration and system familiarization early because these steps can take time, and proposals must meet the due dates associated with the specific ROSES program element.

20) What are the key dates shown for this listing?

The listing shows a posted date of January 8, 2015; a closing date of March 20, 2015 (listed as both the original and current close); and an archive date of April 19, 2015.

21) Are due dates the same for every ROSES program element?

ROSES is a multi-element solicitation, and NASA directs applicants to the ROSES appendices and to Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES 2014 NRA for the precise call text, subject-area placement, and due dates tied to individual program elements.

22) Where should applicants look for the official program element details?

NASA points applicants to the ROSES appendices and to Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES 2014 NRA for the specific program element requirements, placement, and deadlines.

23) Should applicants watch for amendments or updates?

Yes. NASA encourages interested parties to monitor NSPIRES for amendments or new program elements through February 2015 and provides locations for official clarifications and corrections (including a web archive and an RSS feed).

24) Who should be contacted with questions about ROSES policies and procedures?

NASA indicates that general ROSES policy and procedure questions can be directed to the SMD research contact: Max Bernstein, Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate, via sara@nasa.gov.

25) Who should be contacted with questions about this specific program element?

For element-specific questions, NASA directs proposers to contact the program officers named in the ROSES appendices.

26) What is the relationship between this GNSS element and the larger ROSES solicitation?

This GNSS Remote Sensing Science Team opportunity sits within the larger ROSES 2014 omnibus solicitation framework. That means proposers should use the ROSES appendices and tables to understand the element-specific requirements and then ensure the proposed work aligns with NASA SMD objectives and the GNSS-focused emphasis of this element.

27) What should a competitive proposal generally aim to demonstrate (based on the notice)?

Based on the notice description, proposals should be aimed at improving the scientific use of GNSS signals for remote sensing, advancing theory/modeling, developing or refining retrieval and analysis methods, and strengthening the GNSS remote sensing research foundation that NASA can leverage for current and future Earth-observing efforts, while staying within the element requirements described in the ROSES appendices.