ROSES 2015 In Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the "ROSES 2015 In Space Validation of Earth Science Technologies" opportunity?

It is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity under NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) umbrella solicitation (NRA number NNH15ZDA001N). This particular element focuses on maturing, testing, and validating Earth science technologies and related methods in relevant environments, including space-based and suborbital platforms, to reduce risk and improve readiness for future Earth-observing missions.

2) Which NASA organization runs this opportunity?

The opportunity is run by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and is structured within the broader ROSES framework.

3) What is the main purpose of this call within ROSES?

Within the broader ROSES portfolio (which can range from foundational science analysis to hardware development), this call emphasizes technology validation, including in-space and suborbital validation, to advance NASA science goals and enable future Earth system science missions with reduced technical and operational risk.

4) What kinds of activities may NASA support under this opportunity?

NASA indicates the scope can include a wide range of basic and applied research activities, such as:

• Theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data
• Development of experimental techniques that could be used on later SMD missions
• Early mission concept work
• Development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD priorities
• Laboratory and analytical capabilities (including methods to analyze extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, and terrestrial samples that support interpretation/validation of Earth observations)
• Determining key atomic and compositional parameters needed to analyze measurements
• Earth surface observations and field campaigns in support of SMD missions
• Building integrated Earth system models
• Creating applied information systems that translate Earth science data into societal benefits

5) What kinds of flight or test platforms are mentioned as relevant?

NASA notes that investigations may be flown on aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station (ISS), CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles, in addition to other relevant environments that support technology maturation and validation.

6) Is this opportunity limited to hardware development?

No. While large, complex projects can include building and validating science experiment hardware, the described scope also includes modeling, theory, data analysis, laboratory methods, field campaigns, and applied information systems, as well as early mission concept activities.

7) How much funding is available?

Funding size can vary widely depending on what is proposed and which ROSES program element it falls under. NASA describes awards that can be under $100,000 per year for focused efforts (such as data analysis) and can exceed $1,000,000 per year for large, complex work (such as building and validating science experiment hardware).

8) How is the total funding organized within ROSES?

NASA organizes available funding by individual "program elements" within ROSES. Each element may have anywhere from less than $1 million to several million dollars available. This can allow NASA to select anywhere from a handful to several dozen proposals depending on objectives and the quality and volume of submissions.

9) What is the expected period of performance?

The expected period of performance is typically four years. Some ROSES elements may be shorter or longer, with an overall maximum period of performance of five years.

10) What types of awards or funding instruments might NASA use?

NASA states that selections may result in different legal and administrative instruments depending on the project and organization, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or inter- and intra-agency transfers. For this listing, the funding instrument types specifically identified include grants and cooperative agreements.

11) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad. Domestic and foreign organizations, government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and universities may submit proposals.

12) Are there limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No stated limit is described on the number of proposals an organization can submit or on teaming configurations.

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

Yes, but NASA highlights a key policy constraint: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. In practice, this means NASA typically does not provide funding to non-U.S. organizations, even if they participate.

14) Where are the detailed rules for non-U.S. participation described?

The solicitation points proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for the detailed rules, including special cases (for example, when U.S. personnel request NASA support in connection with a non-U.S. proposal, or when a program is jointly issued with a non-U.S. partner).

15) How do proposals have to be submitted?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative.

16) What submission systems can be used?

Proposals can be submitted through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or via Grants.gov. NASA notes that in either case the organization must be registered in NSPIRES, and if using Grants.gov, it must be registered there as well.

17) Do principal investigators and team members need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. All principal investigators and other named participants must have NSPIRES registrations regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

18) Why does NASA recommend starting registration early?

NASA strongly encourages early registration to avoid administrative delays close to the deadline, especially because registration must identify authorized representatives who can submit proposals and participants must have NSPIRES accounts.

19) What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date is March 2, 2015. The closing date is May 29, 2015. The archive date is June 28, 2015.

20) Are there element-specific due dates or requirements?

Yes. NASA indicates that program details, including specific program elements, their individual due dates, and any element-specific requirements, are provided in ROSES appendices and referenced tables.

21) Can NASA issue amendments or clarifications after the posting?

Yes. NASA notes that amendments and clarifications could be issued through February 2016, with updates available through NSPIRES notifications and via the ROSES 2015 web archive and FAQ pages.

22) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided information.

23) What is the CFDA number and activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science). The activity category is science and technology and other research and development.

24) Who should be contacted for general policy and procedure questions?

NASA directs general policy and procedure questions to the SMD research leadership contact: Max Bernstein at sara@nasa.gov.

25) Who should be contacted for technical questions about a specific program element?

Technical questions are handled by the specific program officers listed in the ROSES appendices and on NASA's program officer list.

26) What is the overarching theme NASA is trying to support here?

The central theme is advancing and validating Earth science technologies and associated methods so they can transition into future NASA Earth system science missions with reduced technical and operational risk.