ROSES 2015 KORUS AQ An International Cooperative Air Quality Field Study in Korea | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2015 KORUS-AQ (Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZDA001N)

What is ROSES 2015 KORUS-AQ (NNH15ZDA001N)?

ROSES 2015 KORUS AQ is a NASA Headquarters research solicitation under NASA's annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) omnibus announcement. The highlighted element focuses on KORUS-AQ, an international cooperative air quality field study in Korea.

Which NASA organization is sponsoring this opportunity?

This is a NASA Headquarters solicitation aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), which supports Earth and space science through basic research, applied research, and technology development.

What is KORUS-AQ in the context of this solicitation?

KORUS-AQ is described as an international cooperative air quality field study in Korea. Within ROSES, it fits under Earth surface observations and field campaigns, with an emphasis on strengthening the scientific return of NASA missions and campaigns.

What is NASA trying to achieve with proposals under this element?

NASA is seeking proposals that strengthen the scientific return of SMD missions and campaigns by improving how observations are collected, analyzed, modeled, validated, and translated into useful information.

What research topics and activities are within scope?

The scope is intentionally broad and includes theory, modeling, and analysis of NASA science data; planning and execution of observational investigations; development of experimental techniques and measurement approaches that may support future missions; concept studies for new missions; and advanced technologies relevant to SMD objectives.

What types of platforms or systems can be involved in observational investigations?

The solicitation mentions observational investigations using platforms such as aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital systems.

Does the opportunity support Earth science field campaigns and Earth system modeling?

Yes. On the Earth science side, it explicitly supports Earth surface observations and field campaigns (including KORUS-AQ), development of integrated Earth system models, and applied information systems that translate research data into products with societal value.

What are examples of "applied information systems" mentioned in the description?

The description gives examples such as decision support tools or applications that use Earth observations to create products with societal value.

How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely. Some awards may be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts such as data analysis. Larger efforts can exceed $1 million per year, particularly for substantial field activities or development of science hardware.

How much total funding may be available for a ROSES program element?

The listing states that the amount available for any given ROSES program element can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars overall.

How many proposals might NASA fund under a program element?

Because total element funding can range from under $1 million to several million dollars, NASA may fund only a few proposals or potentially several dozen, depending on the element's objectives and the quality and quantity of proposals received.

What is the typical project period for awards?

NASA expects most awards to run about four years.

Is there a maximum performance period?

Yes. While some program elements may specify shorter or longer periods, the stated maximum performance period is five years.

What award mechanisms might NASA use?

Awards may be issued through several mechanisms, including grants and cooperative agreements, and in some cases contracts or interagency/intra-agency transfers. The specific instrument depends on the proposing organization and the nature of the work.

What is the CFDA number and funding type?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science) and is categorized as discretionary funding.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad across organizational types, including government, private sector, for-profit, nonprofit, domestic, and foreign organizations.

Are there restrictions on the number of submissions or teaming arrangements?

No. NASA does not impose restrictions on the number of submissions or teaming arrangements.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Non-U.S. organizations may participate, but the key practical limitation described is NASA's funding policy: in general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions, and non-U.S. participation is typically allowed only on a "no exchange of funds" basis.

Where can non-U.S. proposers find the detailed rules about funding and participation?

Non-U.S. proposers are directed to specific sections of NASA's Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules, including cases where a foreign-led proposal involves U.S. personnel for whom NASA funding is requested.

How must proposals be submitted?

All proposals must be submitted electronically, and submissions must be made by an authorized organizational representative.

What submission systems can be used?

Applicants can submit through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

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

Yes. Registration in NSPIRES is required for all proposing organizations, and Grants.gov users must be registered in both NSPIRES and Grants.gov.

Do principal investigators and co-investigators need to register in NSPIRES?

Yes. All principal investigators and other participants (such as co-investigators) must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of which submission portal is used.

Why does NASA encourage early registration and system familiarization?

NASA strongly encourages teams to start registrations and become familiar with the systems well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute access or validation problems.

When was this opportunity posted?

The listing states the opportunity was posted on March 5, 2015.

What was the closing date?

The closing date shown in the listing is May 15, 2015.

What was the archive date?

The archive date shown in the listing is June 14, 2015.

Where are the most detailed requirements and element-specific instructions found?

Because ROSES is an omnibus solicitation, detailed requirements, element-specific topics, due dates, and points of contact are provided in the ROSES appendices and in the tables that list individual calls.

Where should applicants look for amendments or updates?

Prospective applicants are directed to NSPIRES for ongoing amendments through early 2016, as well as to an online archive and FAQ pages for clarifications and updates.

Who is the general contact for ROSES policy and procedural questions?

For general policy and procedural questions related to ROSES, the announcement directs inquiries to the SMD research contact: Dr. Max Bernstein (via the SARA email address referenced in the announcement).