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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2014 SIMPLEX (NASA)

What is this funding opportunity?

ROSES 2014 Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEX) is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity issued under the broader ROSES 2014 omnibus solicitation (NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences), Funding Opportunity Number NNH14ZDA001N.

Is SIMPLEX a standalone solicitation or part of something larger?

SIMPLEX sits inside ROSES, meaning it is one program element within a much larger annual NASA solicitation. ROSES spans multiple areas across space science and Earth science, including research, technology development, mission concept development, and data and methods development.

What NASA organization is sponsoring this opportunity?

This call supports the goals of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD).

What types of work are within the scope of ROSES 2014 as described here?

The scope described is intentionally broad and includes both research and mission-enabling activities. Examples mentioned include theory, modeling, analysis of existing SMD science data, mission concept development, technology advancement relevant to SMD missions, development of experimental techniques suitable for future missions, and improvements to laboratory techniques for analyzing extraterrestrial and terrestrial analog samples.

Does this opportunity support data analysis and modeling work?

Yes. NASA indicates proposals may include theory, modeling, and analysis of existing SMD science data.

Does the scope include developing hardware or experimental techniques?

Yes. The description includes development of experimental techniques suitable for future SMD missions, and notes that building science experiment hardware can be part of the activities supported.

What platforms or mission-enabling activities are explicitly mentioned?

The notice mentions work using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles.

Are future mission concepts eligible topics?

Yes. The described scope explicitly includes developing concepts for future SMD space missions.

Are laboratory studies and sample analysis method improvements included?

Yes. NASA includes improving laboratory techniques for analyzing extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial analog samples used to validate or interpret Earth system observations.

Are Earth science-related activities covered in the description?

Yes. The broader ROSES scope described here includes conducting Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD missions, developing integrated Earth system models, and building applied information systems that translate Earth science research data into societal uses.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the type of work proposed. NASA notes smaller, tightly focused efforts (such as data analysis) may be funded at under $100,000 per year, while more extensive activities (such as building science experiment hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

Is there a single total funding pool for all of ROSES 2014?

No. The notice states that total funding is not provided as one single pool for all of ROSES. Each program element (including SIMPLEX and many others) has its own budget.

What is the typical budget range for a ROSES program element?

Each element typically ranges from less than $1 million to several million dollars, depending on the program element.

How many awards might NASA make?

The notice does not provide a fixed number. It indicates that, depending on the element budget range, NASA may select only a handful of proposals or potentially several dozen, based on program objectives and proposal quality/merit.

What award instruments might NASA use?

NASA indicates it may use grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or interagency/intraagency transfers, depending on the proposer and the nature of the work.

How long is the period of performance?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly open by organization type: domestic and foreign entities; government or private; for-profit or nonprofit. The notice also states there is no stated limit on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate only on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA funds are not transferred to the non-U.S. entity, unless a specific jointly issued NRA element provides different instructions.

Does NASA typically fund non-U.S. institutions directly?

In general, NASA funding is provided only to U.S. institutions. The notice flags policy constraints for non-U.S. participation and allows non-U.S. participation primarily under the "no exchange of funds" approach unless otherwise specified for a jointly issued element.

What if a non-U.S. organization proposes work involving U.S. personnel and requests NASA support for them?

The notice indicates additional special guidance applies in that situation and directs proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers.

How are proposals submitted?

Submission is fully electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative. Proposals can be submitted through NASA's NSPIRES system or via Grants.gov.

Do applicants need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. Any organization intending to submit must be registered in NSPIRES. NSPIRES registration must identify authorized representative(s) who are allowed to submit.

If submitting via Grants.gov, are there additional registration requirements?

Yes. If using Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in Grants.gov as well.

Do individual team members need NSPIRES accounts?

Yes. All principal investigators and other participants (including co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether the final proposal is submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Who must submit the proposal in the electronic system?

The proposal must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative, as identified in the organization's NSPIRES registration.

Where do applicants find due dates and element-specific details?

NASA directs applicants to the ROSES 2014 appendices for element-specific details and to Tables 2 and 3 for names, links, subject areas, and due dates. Table 2 is organized by due date and Table 3 is organized by topic area.

Can deadlines or program elements change over time within ROSES?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and new program elements may be released over time (through about February 2015 for this ROSES cycle). Applicants are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications and check the ROSES amendment archive for clarifications and corrections.

Who can applicants contact with questions?

The notice directs proposers to the specific Program Officers listed for each element, or to the general ROSES point of contact (Max Bernstein, SMD Lead for Research) for policy and procedure questions.

Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 43.001 (Science).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

What are the key dates shown in the listing?

The record indicates an original closing date of January 13, 2015 and a current closing date of April 10, 2015. It also shows an archive date of May 10, 2015, reflecting that the solicitation timeline shifted in the provided listing.