ROSES 2015: K2 Guest Observer Cycle 4 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2015: K2 Guest Observer Cycle 4 (K2GO4)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is ROSES 2015: K2 Guest Observer Cycle 4, identified as element K2GO4 under Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZDA001N. It sits within NASA's broader ROSES (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences) omnibus solicitation managed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD).

Which NASA office is running this opportunity?

The posting lists NASA Headquarters (NASA-HQ) as the agency.

What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The assistance listing is CFDA 43.001.

What does "ROSES" mean in practical terms for applicants?

ROSES is NASA SMD's annual umbrella solicitation that covers a wide range of research and technology activities tied to NASA science. Individual "program elements" (like K2GO4) live under that umbrella, each with its own detailed requirements described in ROSES appendices and summarized in solicitation tables.

What is K2GO4 focused on?

K2GO4 focuses on supporting investigations connected to the K2 mission guest observer program during Cycle 4.

What kinds of research does this solicitation support?

The solicitation is designed to fund both basic and applied research that strengthens NASA's science return. The description highlights activities such as analyzing mission data, advancing modeling and theory, and developing or refining techniques and technologies that enable future science.

Is the scope limited only to K2 data analysis?

The ROSES umbrella is broad and covers most of SMD's supporting research needs across space science and Earth science. Within that broad ROSES context, K2GO4 is identified as the element aimed at K2 guest observer Cycle 4 investigations.

What types of activities are considered in-scope under ROSES (as described here)?

The description emphasizes eligible work such as theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; investigations using platforms including aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles; development of experiment techniques suitable for future missions; early concepts for future missions; and advanced technologies relevant to NASA science.

Does ROSES also include laboratory or sample analysis work?

Yes. The scope includes laboratory and analytical work on extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth system observations. It also includes efforts to determine atomic or compositional parameters needed to interpret space-based data and returned samples.

Does the scope include Earth science and applied uses of Earth observations?

Yes. The scope explicitly includes Earth surface observations and field campaigns supporting NASA missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and applied systems that translate Earth science data into societal or decision-support uses.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels and project sizes can vary widely by program element and the work proposed. The solicitation notes that awards can be under $100,000 per year for tightly focused efforts (such as data analysis) and can exceed $1 million per year for large, complex activities (such as building or developing science experiment hardware).

How large is the overall funding pool for a ROSES program element?

For any given program element within ROSES, the total pool may range from less than $1 million to several million dollars.

How many awards might NASA make under a given element?

The solicitation indicates NASA may select anywhere from only a few proposals to several dozen, depending on program goals and the quality and quantity of submissions received.

What is the expected project period?

NASA expects most awards to run about four years.

What is the maximum period of performance allowed?

The stated maximum period of performance is five years.

Are shorter or longer projects allowed?

Some ROSES elements may allow shorter or longer periods, but the maximum stated period of performance is five years.

What kinds of award instruments can NASA use?

Depending on the applicant organization and element requirements, NASA may issue awards as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or as inter- or intra-agency transfers.

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is intentionally open. Organizations of every type may submit, including domestic and foreign entities, government and private organizations, for-profit and nonprofit institutions.

Are there limits on how many proposals an organization can submit?

No limit is stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements an organization can pursue.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Yes, but NASA allows participation by non-U.S. organizations only on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, meaning NASA generally does not transfer award money to foreign entities. Collaborations may still be possible, but funding must be handled accordingly.

How do applicants submit proposals?

Submission is electronic and must be made by an authorized organizational representative. Proposals can be submitted through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

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

Yes. All proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of submission pathway.

What additional registrations are needed if submitting through Grants.gov?

If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered in Grants.gov as well, in addition to NSPIRES.

Do principal investigators and co-investigators need NSPIRES accounts?

Yes. The solicitation states that all principal investigators and other participants (including co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission pathway.

Why does NASA recommend starting registrations early?

Because registration and system familiarization can take time, applicants are encouraged to start early so organizational details and user accounts are in place well ahead of the due date.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date listed is December 18, 2015.

What is the closing date for this posting?

The closing date listed is February 5, 2016.

Where are the detailed program element requirements and due dates found?

Detailed requirements, program descriptions, and exact due dates for each ROSES program element are provided in the ROSES appendices and summarized in the solicitation tables (Tables 2 and 3).

Can the ROSES solicitation change after it is posted?

Yes. NASA indicates that amendments and new elements may be released up through February 2016.

Where should applicants check for updates, clarifications, and official FAQs?

Applicants are directed to monitor NSPIRES and the ROSES 2015 web archive for updates, clarifications, and FAQs.

Who should be contacted for general ROSES policies and procedures?

For general ROSES policies and procedures, the listed contact is Max Bernstein at sara@nasa.gov.

Who should be contacted for element-specific questions (such as K2GO4)?

Element-specific questions are routed to the program officers identified in the ROSES appendices and the SARA program officer list.

What is the opportunity category?

The opportunity category is listed as discretionary.

Does the posting specify eligible applicants in a single line?

The eligible applicant field points back to the full text for details, and the full text describes eligibility as intentionally open across organization types, with the no-exchange-of-funds condition for non-U.S. organizations.