ROSES 2014 Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is ROSES 2014 Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science (RRNES)?

RRNES is a NASA Headquarters solicitation under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) umbrella. It is a discretionary, competitive research announcement from NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) intended to fund both basic and applied research that advances NASA science and technology objectives across Earth science and related space science areas.

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NNH14ZDA001N. The opportunity is often referred to as RRNES within ROSES.

3) What types of work does this opportunity support?

The scope is intentionally broad and can support a wide range of activities, from fast-turnaround investigations that respond to emerging scientific needs to larger projects that develop new capabilities or technologies relevant to future NASA missions.

4) Does NASA fund both basic and applied research under this opportunity?

Yes. The solicitation is intended to fund both basic and applied research aligned with NASA SMD science and technology objectives.

5) What kinds of science research activities are included in scope?

NASA invites proposals for theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data, including projects that make new use of existing mission datasets.

6) What kinds of platforms and mission-related investigations are included?

The solicitation includes investigations using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles. It also supports development of experimental techniques that could be flown on future missions.

7) Does the opportunity support early mission concepts and technology advancement?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly supports early concept development for future SMD space missions and the advancement of technologies that enable or enhance NASA mission science return.

8) Are laboratory and field-based activities eligible?

Yes. The scope includes laboratory and field-based support to NASA observations, including sample collection and analysis when it helps validate or interpret Earth system science mission observations.

9) Does this opportunity include work on returned samples?

Yes. The solicitation includes techniques and laboratory analyses of extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft.

10) Does NASA mention specific needs around compositional or atomic parameters?

Yes. NASA calls out the need for determining atomic and compositional parameters required to analyze space-based data and returned samples.

11) What Earth science topics are specifically mentioned?

In Earth science, the solicitation covers Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and efforts that translate Earth science research data into societal benefit through applied information systems and decision-support tools aligned with SMD objectives and datasets.

12) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely by the nature of the work and the specific ROSES program element. Awards can be under $100,000 per year for focused efforts such as limited data analysis, and can exceed $1,000,000 per year for large, extensive activities such as development of science experiment hardware.

13) How much funding is available per program element?

For each program element, the total funds available generally range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, the number of selections can vary from only a few proposals to several dozen, depending on program goals and the quality and volume of submissions.

14) Is this a competitive opportunity?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary, competitive research announcement.

15) What funding instruments might NASA use to make awards?

NASA indicates that awards may be issued using different instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument depends on the proposing organization and the requirements of the specific program element.

16) What is the typical period of performance?

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

17) Who is eligible to apply?

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

18) Can an organization submit more than one proposal?

There is no stated restriction on the number of proposals an organization can submit, and there is no stated restriction on teaming arrangements.

19) Are foreign organizations allowed to participate, and can they receive NASA funding?

Foreign organizations may submit proposals, but NASA notes a key constraint: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA typically does not provide funding directly to non-U.S. entities. NASA funding is primarily provided to U.S. institutions, and non-U.S. participation must follow the NASA Guidebook for Proposers and any special instructions in the relevant program element.

20) Where do applicants find the specific topics, requirements, and deadlines?

ROSES is implemented through many individual program elements, each with its own goals, requirements, and due dates. The detailed list of what is being solicited is contained in the ROSES Appendices. Titles, links, and deadlines for individual calls are organized in Table 2 (by due date) and Table 3 (by subject area).

21) Do all program elements share the same due date?

No. While the umbrella opportunity shows an overall closing date window, individual program elements within ROSES can have different due dates within that window.

22) What are the posted dates for the umbrella opportunity?

The opportunity was posted March 17, 2014. The original and current closing date shown for the umbrella opportunity is March 31, 2015, and the archive date is April 30, 2015.

23) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The posted opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

24) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science).

25) How do applicants submit proposals?

Submission is electronic and must be completed by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Proposals may be submitted through NSPIRES or via Grants.gov, but all organizations intending to apply must be registered in NSPIRES.

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

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

27) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

The registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who can submit proposals on the institution's behalf. All principal investigators and other proposal participants (such as co-investigators) must also be registered in NSPIRES, regardless of which submission portal is used.

28) What does NASA recommend regarding registration timing?

NASA emphasizes starting registration and system familiarization well ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute issues.

29) How can applicants stay informed about amendments or newly added program elements?

NASA advises applicants to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications for amendments and newly added program elements, since ROSES is typically updated through formal amendments over the life of the solicitation. For ROSES 2014, amendments and updates were expected through February 2015, with a web archive and RSS feed maintained for clarifications and corrections.

30) Who should applicants contact for general policy or procedural questions?

General policy and procedural questions are directed to the SMD research contact listed: Max Bernstein (Lead for Research, Science Mission Directorate), reachable via sara@nasa.gov.

31) Who answers technical questions about specific program elements?

Technical questions about specific program elements are typically handled by the program officers identified within each relevant ROSES Appendix section.