ROSES 2014 WFIRST Preparatory Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2014 WFIRST Preparatory Science (NNH14ZDA001N)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

ROSES 2014 WFIRST Preparatory Science (Funding Opportunity Number NNH14ZDA001N) is a program element within NASA Headquarters' annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitation under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). It funds basic and applied research that strengthens NASA science and helps prepare for current and future missions, with this specific element focused on preparatory science for WFIRST (a mission concept that later evolved into the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope).

2) What is the purpose of ROSES and this WFIRST preparatory element?

The overall purpose of ROSES is to fund research that improves the scientific return of NASA missions. For the WFIRST preparatory science element, the emphasis is on work that helps make future WFIRST/Roman observations more useful, more interpretable, and more scientifically productive. The solicitation is broad by design and can include theory, modeling, data analysis, and the development of methods and tools that support mission science.

3) What types of activities and research does NASA support under ROSES 2014?

ROSES 2014 supports a wide range of space and Earth science research and enabling technology. Examples described in the opportunity include:

• Analysis of existing SMD science data
• Development and use of models and simulations
• Investigations using aircraft, balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital platforms
• Maturation of experiment techniques suited to future spaceflight
• Early development of concepts for future missions
• Advancement of technologies relevant to SMD objectives
• Laboratory and analytical work connected to samples (extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth observations)
• Determining fundamental atomic or compositional parameters needed to analyze NASA data
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns that complement NASA missions
• Improving integrated Earth system models
• Creating applied systems that translate Earth science research outputs into societal or operational uses

4) Is the solicitation narrowly focused on WFIRST only?

ROSES is an umbrella solicitation with many individual program elements and subject areas. This specific posting highlights WFIRST preparatory science, but NASA also directs applicants to the ROSES 2014 appendices and online Tables 2 and 3 for the broader set of calls, due dates, and topics across ROSES 2014.

5) How much funding is available, and how large can an award be?

Funding levels are flexible and scale with the scope of the proposed work. NASA indicates awards can range from relatively small efforts (under $100,000 per year) for narrowly focused work such as targeted data analysis, to very large efforts (over $1 million per year) for extensive activities such as developing science experiment hardware.

6) How much funding is expected within each ROSES 2014 program element?

Within each specific program element offered under ROSES 2014, NASA expects available funding to range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. The number of awards could vary widely (from a handful to several dozen) depending on the element's goals and the quality and quantity of proposals received.

7) What award mechanisms might NASA use?

NASA may make awards as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- and intra-agency transfers. The mechanism depends on the proposer and the nature of the work.

8) What is the typical project period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years. Some elements may allow shorter projects, and some may allow projects up to a maximum of five years.

9) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad. Domestic and foreign organizations may submit proposals, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit institutions. The opportunity also states there is no restriction on the number of proposals an organization can submit or how teams are formed.

10) Are there special rules for non-U.S. organizations or international partners?

Yes. NASA notes a key policy constraint: projects involving non-U.S. organizations must generally be conducted with "no exchange of funds." In practice, this means NASA typically does not provide funding to the non-U.S. partner, and those partners participate using their own resources unless a specific jointly issued solicitation provides different rules. Non-U.S. proposers are directed to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed requirements and special cases.

11) Can an organization submit more than one proposal?

Yes. The opportunity states there is no restriction on the number of proposals an organization can submit.

12) Are there restrictions on team formation (e.g., required partners)?

No specific teaming restrictions are stated. The solicitation indicates broad flexibility in how teams are formed.

13) How do proposals have to be submitted?

All proposals must be submitted electronically, and submissions must be made by an authorized official of the proposing organization.

14) Where can applicants submit their proposal (which systems)?

Applicants can submit proposals through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

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

Yes. Organizational registration in NSPIRES is required in all cases. If using Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov.

16) Who needs to be registered in NSPIRES?

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

17) Does NASA provide advice about timing for registrations and submissions?

Yes. NASA encourages prospective applicants to start registration and system familiarization early to avoid issues near the deadline.

18) What are the key dates listed for this specific posting?

• Posted Date: May 2, 2014
• Proposal Deadline (Current Closing Date): July 11, 2014
• Archive Date: August 10, 2014

19) Where do applicants find the specific topics, due dates, and subject areas under ROSES 2014?

NASA directs applicants to the ROSES 2014 appendices and the online Tables 2 and 3, which list the individual calls, due dates, and subject areas across the ROSES umbrella solicitation.

20) Can requirements or program elements change after the posting date?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and new elements could be added through February 2015. Applicants are advised to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications for updates and clarifications.

21) Who should applicants contact with questions about a specific program element?

Applicants should contact the program officers identified for each program element in the ROSES appendices and on NASA's program officer list.

22) Who handles general questions about ROSES policies and procedures?

General questions about ROSES policies and procedures are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein (Lead for Research, SMD) via sara@nasa.gov.