ROSES 2015 Cryospheric Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2015 Cryospheric Science (NNH15ZDA001N CRYO)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

ROSES 2015 Cryospheric Science (Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZDA001N CRYO) is a program element within NASA Headquarters' broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2015 omnibus solicitation. It is intended to fund basic and applied research that supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), with a specific emphasis on cryospheric science for this element.

2) What scientific areas count as "cryospheric science" under this opportunity?

The focus includes Earth's snow, ice, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and related processes. Proposals are expected to advance understanding of these components of the cryosphere, particularly where the work strengthens the scientific return of NASA Earth-observing missions and other SMD science investments.

3) What types of research activities are supported?

The solicitation is intentionally broad and welcomes a wide range of work, including theory, data analysis, and numerical modeling. It also supports field observations and campaigns when they help interpret, validate, or extend NASA mission measurements.

4) Are field campaigns and observations allowed, or is this only for data analysis/modeling?

Field observations and campaigns are explicitly within scope when they contribute to interpreting, validating, or extending measurements from NASA missions. The opportunity supports both analytical and more hands-on observational work.

5) Does the opportunity support Earth system modeling and applied information systems?

Yes. It covers development of integrated Earth system models and applied information systems that translate Earth science data into usable products for societal needs, as long as they align with NASA SMD objectives.

6) Does ROSES 2015 include technology development or mission-enabling work?

Under the ROSES umbrella, NASA also includes development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions; development and maturation of experiment techniques for future missions; and development of mission concepts. (This posting describes ROSES as including these areas.)

7) What observation platforms are mentioned as relevant?

The notice mentions investigations using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station (ISS), CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles, reflecting NASA's interest in both traditional and newer, lower-cost approaches to collecting observations and testing capabilities.

8) How much funding can a project request?

Funding levels are described as highly variable and tied to the scope of the work. Smaller targeted data analysis efforts can be funded at under $100,000 per year, while large and complex efforts (for example, development of science hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

9) How many awards will NASA make?

The amount available within a given ROSES program element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, NASA may select only a few proposals or may select several dozen, depending on merit, program priorities, and the volume and quality of submissions.

10) What kinds of award instruments can NASA use?

The solicitation states awards can be made using different instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The specific mechanism depends on the proposing organization and the nature of the work. For this particular posting, the identified instrument types are grant and cooperative agreement.

11) What is the typical project period (period of performance)?

The typical period of performance is four years. Some elements may be shorter or longer, up to a five-year maximum.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

13) Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

Eligibility is described as broad: organizations of many types may submit, including U.S. and non-U.S. entities; government and private organizations; for-profit and non-profit institutions. The solicitation also indicates there is no stated limit on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

14) Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Participation by non-U.S. organizations is typically permitted only on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning the non-U.S. participant supports its own costs. The notice also points proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules affecting non-U.S. involvement, including cases where a non-U.S. institution proposes work that includes U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

15) Does NASA fund non-U.S. institutions directly?

The solicitation emphasizes NASA's standard policy constraints: in general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. involvement is generally handled without an exchange of funds, subject to the detailed rules in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers.

16) How do we submit an application?

Applications must be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov. Regardless of the pathway, the organization must be registered in NSPIRES.

17) If we submit through Grants.gov, do we still need NSPIRES?

Yes. If submitting via Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES, and NASA states that in all cases the organization must be registered in NSPIRES.

18) Who is allowed to submit the proposal in the system?

The submission must be made by an authorized organizational representative.

19) Do principal investigators and co-investigators need NSPIRES accounts?

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

20) When should we start registrations and system setup?

NASA advises prospective applicants to start registrations and system familiarization well ahead of the due dates because the online systems require entry of organizational and personnel information before submission.

21) What are the key dates for this posting?

The posted date is March 10, 2015. The original closing date is June 17, 2015, and the revised (current) closing date is July 29, 2015. The archive date is August 28, 2015.

22) What is the CFDA number and activity category?

The CFDA number listed is 43.001 (Science). The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

23) Where do we find the specific scientific topics and element-by-element due dates?

The specific scientific topics, program element descriptions, and element-by-element due dates are provided in the ROSES 2015 appendices and associated tables.

24) How will updates or amendments be communicated?

Updates and amendments have historically been distributed through NSPIRES and NASA's ROSES web pages, including an archive and an RSS feed for changes, plus a FAQ page.

25) Who do we contact for questions about the program element or proposal fit?

NASA directs applicants to the program officers listed for each program element in the ROSES appendices for questions and program guidance.

26) Is there a general contact for ROSES policies and procedures?

Yes. The notice lists a general contact for ROSES policies and procedures through SMD research leadership: Dr. Max Bernstein, reachable via sara@nasa.gov.

27) What is NASA mainly looking for from cryospheric proposals?

Proposals are expected to advance understanding of the cryosphere (snow, ice, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and related processes), with an emphasis on strengthening the scientific return of NASA Earth-observing missions and other SMD science investments.