ROSES 2015: Carbon Monitoring System | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2015: Carbon Monitoring System (NNH15ZDA001N)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) focus area under NASA's ROSES 2015 (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences) omnibus solicitation. NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is seeking proposals for basic and applied research that advance NASA space and Earth science objectives, including work aligned with CMS.

What is the goal of the Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) focus area?

The CMS-related goal described here is to support research and technology efforts that improve the understanding, measurement, modeling, and practical use of Earth system information, including carbon-related observations and applications, while leveraging NASA data and mission capabilities.

What types of projects or activities are in scope?

The scope is intentionally broad and may include theory development, numerical modeling, and analysis of NASA science data. It can also include investigations using airborne platforms, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital or reusable launch vehicles.

Does NASA support technology development or mission concept maturation under this solicitation?

Yes. The solicitation invites projects that develop experimental methods for future missions, mature concepts for future space missions, and advance technologies relevant to NASA science missions.

Are laboratory studies and sample analysis allowed?

Yes. The scope includes laboratory techniques and analysis for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, and terrestrial samples that can validate or interpret Earth-observing mission data. It also includes determining atomic and compositional parameters needed to analyze observations and returned samples.

Are Earth surface observations and field campaigns supported?

Yes. The opportunity includes Earth surface observations and field campaigns that strengthen the science return of NASA SMD missions.

Does the opportunity include work on Earth system models and applied information systems?

Yes. The solicitation highlights integrated Earth system model development and applied information systems that translate Earth science research data into societally useful products and decision support, which is described as particularly relevant to CMS-style monitoring and reporting needs.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels can vary widely by ROSES program element. NASA notes that awards may be relatively small (for example, under $100,000 per year for focused efforts like data analysis) or exceed $1,000,000 per year for larger-scale activities such as developing science instrument or experiment hardware.

How much total funding is available, and how many awards might be made?

Within each ROSES program element, NASA indicates available funds may range from under a million dollars to several million dollars total. As a result, the number of selected proposals could range from only a few to several dozen, depending on program priorities and the quality and relevance of submissions.

What is the typical project period of performance?

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

What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Depending on the nature of the project and the proposing organization, NASA may issue awards as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- or intra-agency transfers.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad: organizations of virtually every type may apply, including domestic and foreign entities, government and private organizations, for-profit and nonprofit institutions.

Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit or on teaming arrangements?

No limit is stated here. The provided information indicates there is no stated limit on the number of proposals or the teaming arrangements an organization may pursue.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate, and can they receive NASA funding?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but NASA policy requires that projects involving non-U.S. organizations be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. This means NASA generally will not transfer funds to non-U.S. partners.

How do applicants submit proposals?

Applications must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational official. Proposers can submit through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or Grants.gov, depending on the program element requirements.

Do we need to register in NSPIRES even if we plan to submit through Grants.gov?

Yes. All organizations must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting through Grants.gov, organizations must also be registered in Grants.gov in addition to NSPIRES.

Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

Registration must identify authorized organizational representatives who can submit proposals. In addition, all principal investigators and other participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES, regardless of whether the submission route is NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

Why does NASA recommend registering early?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to complete registrations and become familiar with the electronic systems well before deadlines to avoid last-minute submission problems.

Where can we find the detailed requirements, evaluation criteria, and due dates?

Because ROSES is organized by program element, detailed requirements, evaluation criteria, and due dates are provided in the ROSES appendices rather than in a single short call text. NASA points applicants to Tables 2 and 3 of the ROSES NRA for the list of individual calls, links, and due dates.

Should applicants watch for amendments or newly added program elements?

Yes. NASA encourages monitoring NSPIRES for amendments or newly added program elements through February 2016, when a subsequent ROSES release was planned.

Where can we find official clarifications, amendments, corrections, and FAQs?

NASA maintains an online archive for ROSES 2015 along with a FAQ page for clarifications, amendments, and corrections.

Who should we contact with program-specific questions?

Program-specific questions should be directed to the relevant Program Officers listed for each ROSES program element.

Who should we contact with general ROSES policy or procedural questions?

General ROSES policy and procedural questions are directed to the SMD research contact, Max Bernstein, via sara@nasa.gov.

What are the posted and closing dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on January 8, 2016. The listed closing date for this CMS-related ROSES 2015 opportunity is March 29, 2016.

Is this a single stand-alone call, or part of a larger solicitation?

It is part of NASA's larger ROSES annual omnibus solicitation. The opportunity references ROSES program elements in the appendices, which contain the element-specific instructions and schedules.