ROSES 2015 Heliophysics Guest Investigator | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2015 Heliophysics Guest Investigator (HGI)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

ROSES 2015 Heliophysics Guest Investigator (HGI) is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity offered under NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2015 omnibus solicitation (NRA number NNH15ZDA001N). It supports basic and applied research aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), with HGI serving as a heliophysics-focused guest investigator program element within the broader ROSES framework.

2) What does "ROSES" mean in this context?

ROSES is an omnibus (umbrella) NASA solicitation that covers many research and technology program elements across space science and Earth science. HGI is one element within ROSES 2015, and the detailed rules for HGI are provided through the ROSES appendices and the specific program element text.

3) What types of work are generally supported under this call?

The scope is intentionally broad and includes theory, modeling, and data analysis using SMD science data. It is designed to support investigators who can use NASA mission data and related resources to produce new scientific results, improve analysis methods, and advance concepts and technologies that strengthen current and future NASA missions, including heliophysics studies typical of a guest investigator program.

4) Is this opportunity limited only to heliophysics research?

HGI is heliophysics-focused as a program element, but it sits under the larger ROSES umbrella that describes a wide range of NASA-funded research and technology. The overall ROSES description includes many topic areas; the specific expectations and boundaries for HGI are defined in the ROSES appendices and the HGI program element language.

5) What kinds of investigations and platforms are mentioned as in scope?

The ROSES scope description includes investigations tied to aircraft, balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles. It also includes the development of experiment techniques suitable for future missions.

6) Does ROSES allow technology or capability development, not just science analysis?

Yes. The broader ROSES scope allows technology- and capability-oriented work such as developing concepts for future SMD missions, advancing mission-relevant technologies, and improving laboratory and analytical techniques.

7) What other topic areas are described under the broader ROSES umbrella?

The ROSES umbrella description includes sample analysis (extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft and terrestrial samples used to validate Earth observations), determination of atomic and composition parameters needed to interpret data, Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions, integrated Earth system modeling, and applied information systems that translate research data into societal benefit. Not all of these are specific to heliophysics, but they represent the broader menu of work NASA may fund through ROSES.

8) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels can vary widely depending on the proposed work. Smaller awards may be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts (for example, targeted data analysis). Larger projects can exceed $1 million per year when they involve extensive activities such as developing science experiment hardware or major technology efforts.

9) How much total funding does NASA expect to have available?

NASA notes that the amount available for awards depends on the specific program element and can range from less than $1 million total to several million dollars total.

10) How many awards might NASA make?

Because available funding and the number of submissions can vary by program element, NASA indicates it may select anywhere from a few proposals to several dozen, depending on the goals of the element and the quality and volume of submissions.

11) What is the typical performance period for awards?

The usual performance period is about four years, though some elements may specify shorter or longer timelines. The maximum performance period is generally capped at five years.

12) What funding mechanisms might NASA use?

Awards may be made using different mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The mechanism depends on the nature of the proposing organization and any program-specific requirements.

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.

14) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broadly open by organizational type. Domestic or foreign organizations, government or private entities, and for-profit or nonprofit organizations can submit. The solicitation information provided indicates there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

15) Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to participate, and will NASA fund them?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but NASA generally funds only U.S. institutions. Participation by non-U.S. organizations is governed by NASA's policy of "no exchange of funds," meaning foreign institutions typically participate without NASA transferring funding to them. Non-U.S. proposers and mixed teams are directed to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers and any special instructions in the program element language.

16) How do teams with both U.S. and non-U.S. participants handle funding and participation rules?

The information provided indicates that mixed teams involving U.S. personnel supported by NASA, and non-U.S. organizations, should consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers and any special instructions included in the program element language, consistent with the "no exchange of funds" policy.

17) How are proposals submitted?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative by the due date applicable to the specific program element.

18) What submission systems can be used?

Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov. However, registration in NSPIRES is required for any organization intending to apply. Organizations using Grants.gov must be registered in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov.

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

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

20) Why does NASA recommend registering early?

NASA strongly encourages applicants to register and familiarize themselves with the submission systems well ahead of deadlines to reduce the risk of last-minute submission problems.

21) Where do I find the exact HGI requirements and due dates?

Because ROSES is an umbrella solicitation with many program elements, the exact requirements, due dates, and points of contact for HGI are provided in the ROSES appendices and in the tables listing calls and deadlines.

22) What are the posted dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on February 27, 2015. The original closing date was July 10, 2015, and the current closing date is July 31, 2015. An archive date of August 30, 2015 is also provided.

23) Can the solicitation change after posting?

Yes. NASA indicates that amendments and new program elements could be released through February 2016. Applicants are encouraged to monitor NSPIRES and NASA's ROSES 2015 web pages, including the amendments archive and FAQ pages, for updates, clarifications, and corrections.

24) Who should be contacted for general policy or procedural questions?

For general policy and procedural questions, the solicitation points to the SMD research contact (Max Bernstein) via the SARA email address: sara@nasa.gov.

25) Who should be contacted for program-element-specific questions (like HGI details)?

Program-element-specific questions are directed to the program officers listed in the ROSES appendices.