ROSES 2015: Early Career Fellowship Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ROSES 2015 Early Career Fellowship Program (NASA SMD)

1) What is the ROSES 2015 Early Career Fellowship Program?

It is a program element within NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2015 solicitation, issued by NASA Headquarters under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). It falls under Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZDA001N and invites proposals for basic and applied research and related technologies that advance NASA science.

2) Is this a standalone grant or part of a larger solicitation?

It is part of the larger ROSES 2015 umbrella solicitation. ROSES is organized into multiple program elements described in appendices, and each element has its own scope and due date.

3) What kinds of research topics does ROSES 2015 cover?

The topics are intentionally broad across space and Earth science disciplines. The solicitation can include theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; investigations using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles; and development of experimental methods and instrument techniques intended to feed into future SMD missions.

4) Are technology development and instrumentation projects allowed?

Yes. ROSES 2015 includes development of supporting technologies, experimental methods, and instrument techniques relevant to NASA science missions, including efforts that can lead toward future SMD mission capabilities.

5) Does ROSES 2015 include early-stage mission concept work?

Yes. The solicitation includes early-stage mission and investigation concept development, as well as advanced technologies relevant to NASA science missions.

6) Are sample analysis and laboratory method proposals in scope?

Yes. ROSES 2015 encompasses laboratory and analytical methods for studying extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth observations.

7) What Earth science activities are included?

The Earth science side includes field campaigns and surface observations supporting SMD missions, integrated Earth system modeling, and systems that translate Earth science research outputs into societal applications (including applied information systems tied to NASA objectives and data products).

8) How much funding is available?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the nature and scale of the effort. Smaller focused projects (such as discrete data analysis) may be under $100,000 per year, while larger complex activities (such as development of science experiment hardware) can exceed $1 million per year.

9) Does each program element have the same budget?

No. NASA notes that the amount available within any specific program element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars. As a result, some elements may support only a few awards, while others could support several dozen, depending on program goals and the quality and quantity of submitted proposals.

10) What types of award instruments might NASA use?

Awards may be issued using different legal instruments depending on the applicant organization and the nature of the work. The solicitation notes that instruments can include grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

11) Is this opportunity discretionary?

Yes. The posting identifies the opportunity as discretionary.

12) What is the typical project period?

The typical project period is four years. However, some program elements may specify shorter durations or allow longer periods up to a maximum of five years.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. Organizations of all types may apply, including domestic and foreign entities, government and private organizations, and both for-profit and nonprofit applicants.

14) Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to participate?

Yes, foreign entities may apply and participate, but NASA states a key constraint for international participation: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations must be conducted with no exchange of funds. In practice, NASA funding generally cannot be transferred to non-U.S. partners even if they participate scientifically.

15) Are teaming arrangements permitted?

Yes. Teaming arrangements are permitted under ROSES 2015.

16) Is there a limit on the number of proposals an organization can submit?

The posting states there is no stated limit on the number of proposals.

17) How and where do applicants submit proposals?

Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative by the due date associated with the relevant program element. Submissions can be made through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

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

Yes. All proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission route. Applicants using Grants.gov must also be registered there.

19) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

The registration process must identify the authorized organizational representative(s). In addition, all principal investigators and other named participants (including co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES.

20) How do I find the due date for the Early Career Fellowship Program?

ROSES 2015 uses appendices for program-element details (including scope and due dates). Applicants are directed to consult the ROSES 2015 appendices and use the tables in the NRA (Tables 2 and 3) to locate program names, links, and due dates.

21) Can ROSES 2015 deadlines or requirements change after posting?

Yes. NASA emphasizes that ROSES is frequently updated via amendments and clarifications. Applicants are advised to monitor the NSPIRES portal and the ROSES 2015 web archive (including its RSS feed) for changes.

22) Through what timeframe should applicants monitor updates for ROSES 2015?

The posting recommends monitoring for changes through February 2016, when a subsequent ROSES solicitation was planned.

23) Where can applicants get official help or ask questions?

Help is available through ROSES FAQs online, through the program officers listed for each program element, and for general policy and procedural questions through the SMD research contact, Max Bernstein, at sara@nasa.gov.

24) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The posting lists CFDA 43.001.

25) What are the key dates shown in the posting?

The opportunity was created and posted on November 23, 2015, and it lists a closing date of March 31, 2016. Separate program elements under ROSES 2015 may have their own specific due dates, as described in the appendices.

26) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is NNH15ZDA001N.

27) What practical step does NASA recommend to avoid submission problems?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to complete registrations and become familiar with NSPIRES and (if applicable) Grants.gov well in advance of deadlines to avoid last-minute administrative issues.