ROSES 2015 Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is "ROSES 2015 Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science (RRNES)"?

ROSES 2015 Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science (Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZDA001N, RRNES) is a NASA Headquarters solicitation released under NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) umbrella. It is a broad research announcement from NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) that invites research proposals across Earth and space science topics intended to strengthen NASA science and technology.

2) Is this opportunity only for rapid-response or novel Earth science work?

Not exactly. While the title highlights rapid response and novel Earth science research, the solicitation is part of the larger ROSES 2015 framework. The specific scientific focus areas, requirements, and due dates are defined in the program elements contained in the appendices.

3) Where do I find the specific research topics and requirements?

The solicitation directs applicants to the appendices for the individual program elements. Those appendices contain the exact scientific focus areas, any element-specific requirements, and due dates. It also points to Tables 2 and 3 for program element names, links, and due dates.

4) What kinds of activities can be proposed under this solicitation?

The scope is intentionally broad and can include supporting research and development that feeds NASA missions and the use of NASA data. Examples mentioned include theory and modeling; analysis and interpretation of NASA SMD science data; investigations using aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and other suborbital reusable launch vehicles; and development of experiment techniques and concepts that could be used on future SMD missions.

5) Does the solicitation include technology development or hardware work?

Yes. It includes development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD objectives, development of laboratory techniques and measurements needed to analyze spacecraft data or returned samples, and larger efforts such as building or advancing science experiment hardware (with potentially higher annual funding levels depending on the program element).

6) Are Earth science applications and decision-support tools within scope?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly mentions applied research and information systems that translate Earth science data into societal benefit, such as decision support tools, applied data products, or systems that help users operationalize research results.

7) Does this include Earth system model development?

Yes. The Earth science side explicitly mentions integrated Earth system model development as within the scope of the opportunity.

8) What funding levels are available?

Funding levels can vary widely depending on the work proposed and the specific program element. The announcement notes that awards can be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts (for example, targeted data analysis) and can exceed $1 million per year for larger efforts (for example, building or advancing science experiment hardware). For individual ROSES 2015 program elements, total funds available can range from less than $1 million to several million dollars.

9) How many awards will NASA make?

The solicitation indicates that the number of awards depends on the specific program element's total funding, goals, and the quality and quantity of submissions. Some elements may support only a few awards, while others may fund several dozen.

10) What is the typical period of performance?

NASA expects most awards to run about four years. Some program elements may specify different timelines, but the stated maximum period of performance is five years.

11) What funding instruments might NASA use (grant vs. contract vs. other)?

This solicitation is not limited to a single funding mechanism. Selections may be made as grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or as inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument used depends on the nature of the proposed work, the proposing organization, and any program-specific requirements.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad: organizations of every type may propose, including government and private entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and both domestic and foreign organizations.

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

Yes, foreign organizations may propose and participate. However, NASA emphasizes a key constraint: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations are generally conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, meaning NASA typically does not transfer funds to non-U.S. partners.

14) If a non-U.S. organization is involved, can NASA fund U.S. personnel on the project?

The notice points non-U.S. proposers to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed instructions, including cases where a non-U.S. proposal involves U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested, or where a solicitation is jointly issued with a non-U.S. organization and includes special rules.

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

No restriction is stated on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement specifies there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

17) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number identified in the notice is 43.001 (Science).

18) How do we submit a proposal?

Submission is electronic only, and proposals must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Applicants can submit through NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system) or through Grants.gov.

19) Do we need to register in NSPIRES if we plan to submit through Grants.gov?

Yes. All organizations intending to apply must be registered in NSPIRES. If submitting via Grants.gov, registration in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES is required.

20) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

The solicitation states that the registration process must identify the authorized organizational representatives who are permitted to submit proposals. It also requires that all principal investigators and other participants (such as co-investigators) be registered in NSPIRES regardless of whether submission is through NSPIRES or Grants.gov.

21) Why does NASA emphasize early registration?

Registrations and account setup can take time. The solicitation encourages teams to get into the systems early, learn the structure, and enter required organizational and investigator information well before the relevant due date.

22) Is there a single deadline for ROSES 2015 RRNES?

No. ROSES 2015 operates through multiple program elements, each with its own scope and due date. Applicants are directed to the appendices and to Tables 2 and 3 for the due dates tied to specific elements.

23) What are the overall posting and closing dates mentioned in the notice?

The overall opportunity was posted March 2, 2015, with an original and current closing date of March 31, 2016, and an archive date of April 30, 2016.

24) Can NASA add amendments or new program elements after the opportunity is posted?

Yes. NASA indicates that amendments, clarifications, and new program elements could be released through February 2016, and it encourages proposers to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe to notifications to stay current.

25) Where can applicants find updates, amendments, and corrections?

The notice references resources including a web archive and an RSS feed for amendments and corrections, and an FAQ page for ROSES 2015. It also encourages monitoring NSPIRES and subscribing to notifications.

26) Who should we contact for program-specific questions?

For program-specific questions, investigators are directed to contact the program officers listed for each element in the appendices and via NASA's program officer list.

27) Who should we contact for general ROSES policies and procedures questions?

General questions about ROSES policies and procedures are directed to Dr. Max Bernstein, Lead for Research in SMD, via sara@nasa.gov.