ROSES 2014 Severe Storm Research | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA ROSES 2014 Severe Storm Research (NNH14ZDA001N)

1) What is the NASA ROSES 2014 Severe Storm Research opportunity?

It is a research funding opportunity under NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2014 NASA Research Announcement (NRA), NRA number NNH14ZDA001N. This particular focus area emphasized work relevant to severe storms within NASA's Earth science portfolio, while still sitting inside the broader Science Mission Directorate (SMD) research umbrella.

2) Which NASA organization sponsored and managed this opportunity?

The opportunity was part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) ROSES 2014 announcement and funded basic and applied research aligned with SMD priorities, with emphasis here on severe-storm-relevant Earth science research.

3) What kinds of research were supported (science scope)?

The scope was intentionally wide and included theory, modeling, and data analysis using NASA science datasets, along with new measurement approaches and technology that could enable future missions. It covered interpreting satellite and airborne observations of the Earth system, improving integrated Earth system models, conducting field campaigns that support NASA missions, and developing applications that translate Earth science data into practical, societal-use information systems.

4) Is this opportunity limited only to severe storms?

The emphasis described is on work relevant to severe storms within Earth science, but it was also part of a broader ROSES 2014 SMD research umbrella that welcomed a wide range of Earth science proposals. Exact topic fit and boundaries were organized by ROSES program elements (appendices) rather than a single narrow description.

5) What types of projects or activities could be proposed?

Proposals could range from relatively contained efforts (for example, targeted data analysis or modeling studies) to larger, more complex activities such as developing science instrumentation or experiment hardware. The call described potential platforms including aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital/reusable launch vehicles.

6) Did the opportunity support technology and hardware development, or only research studies?

It supported both. In addition to scientific investigations and analyses, the opportunity allowed more ambitious efforts such as instrumentation or experiment hardware development for a variety of platforms, as well as new measurement approaches and technology that could enable future missions.

7) Were laboratory techniques and sample analysis included in the scope?

Yes. The opportunity allowed work tied to laboratory techniques and sample analysis, including extraterrestrial samples and terrestrial analogs used to validate Earth-observing mission results. It also included determination of atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret space-based measurements.

8) What is meant by “applications” in this opportunity?

The description includes developing applications that translate Earth science data into practical, societal-use information systems, indicating interest in taking NASA Earth science data and converting it into usable products or systems for real-world decision-making and benefit.

9) How much funding could an award receive?

Funding levels were flexible and depended on the program element and the ambition of the proposed work. Typical budgets ranged from under $100,000 per year for narrow, focused studies to over $1 million per year for large-scale efforts such as hardware development or extensive investigations.

10) How much total funding was available, and how many awards might be made?

The amount of funding available varied by program element and generally ranged from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, NASA could fund anywhere from just a few to several dozen awards depending on proposal quality, program priorities, and the number of meritorious submissions.

11) What types of award instruments could NASA use?

NASA anticipated using multiple award instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument used would be selected based on the nature of the proposing organization and any programmatic requirements.

12) What was the typical period of performance?

The period of performance was typically four years. Some elements could be shorter or longer, with an overall maximum of five years.

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.

14) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science).

15) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad across organization types. Universities, non-profits, for-profits, government entities, and other institutions could apply.

16) Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to participate?

Non-U.S. participation was governed by NASA policy. The description notes that NASA generally funds U.S. institutions, and investigations involving non-U.S. organizations were subject to a “no exchange of funds” policy, with additional guidance referenced in NASA's NRA guidebook. Joint opportunities with non-U.S. partners could include special rules, and proposals involving U.S. personnel requesting NASA support under a non-U.S. lead had specific instructions.

17) Are there restrictions on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

The information provided states there was no stated restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

18) How were proposals submitted?

Submission was electronic and had to be completed by an authorized organizational representative. Proposers could submit through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov, but organizations needed to be registered in NSPIRES in all cases. If submitting through Grants.gov, registration in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov was required.

19) Do all investigators need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. All investigators and participants, including principal investigators and co-investigators, needed NSPIRES registration regardless of whether the organization submitted via NSPIRES or via Grants.gov.

20) Why did NASA emphasize starting registrations early?

NASA emphasized beginning registrations early to avoid delays and to become familiar with submission systems and required data entries.

21) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date was December 8, 2014. The original and current closing date was March 3, 2015. The archive date was April 2, 2015.

22) Where were the specific topics, contacts, and deadlines listed?

Because ROSES includes many distinct program elements, specific topics, program contacts, and deadlines were organized in the ROSES appendices and in the published tables: Table 2 (organized by due date) and Table 3 (organized by subject area).

23) How could applicants stay informed about amendments or updates?

NASA directed proposers to monitor NSPIRES for amendments and to use NASA's notifications and amendment archives for updates through February 2015.

24) Who should be contacted for questions?

For general policy and procedural questions, the announcement identified the SMD research lead contact via the SARA email address (at the time). For questions specific to a given program element, applicants were directed to the program officers listed for that element.