ROSES 2015 Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Team | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES 2015 Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Team Opportunity

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the ROSES 2015 Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Team call, which sits within NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2015 omnibus solicitation (NRA number NNH15ZDA001N). It seeks proposals for basic and applied research that strengthens NASA science missions and the use of NASA science data, including work relevant to the SWOT mission and related science team activities.

What is ROSES 2015?

ROSES 2015 is an umbrella (omnibus) NASA solicitation that covers many different program elements across space and Earth sciences. The high-level ROSES overview is broad, while detailed scopes and requirements for each element (including SWOT Science Team) are provided in ROSES appendices and program-element summaries.

What kinds of research does NASA want to fund under this call?

NASA is looking for research that advances NASA space and Earth science objectives and strengthens NASA science missions and data use. The solicitation is intentionally wide-ranging and can support fundamental theory and modeling through technology development and mission-enabling research, as long as the work supports NASA science goals and is relevant to the program element.

Is the solicitation limited to SWOT-only topics?

The opportunity is relevant to the SWOT mission and SWOT science team activities, but it is also part of the broader ROSES 2015 solicitation. Exact scientific scope and requirements are defined in the specific ROSES appendices and program-element summaries rather than only in the high-level overview.

What types of activities are allowable or encouraged?

ROSES 2015 can support a broad range of activities, including:

• Analysis of NASA science data
• Development and improvement of models (including integrated Earth system models)
• Research using aircraft or suborbital platforms (balloons, sounding rockets, ISS, CubeSats, reusable suborbital vehicles)
• New measurement approaches and experiment techniques for future missions
• Advanced technology development tied to NASA mission needs
• Laboratory analysis of returned extraterrestrial samples and terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth-observing measurements
• Field campaigns and Earth surface observations that complement NASA Earth system science missions
• Applied systems that translate Earth science results into practical societal uses

Does NASA fund both basic and applied research here?

Yes. NASA is seeking proposals for both basic and applied research, provided the work strengthens NASA science missions and data use and advances NASA's space and Earth science objectives.

What is the typical funding amount?

Funding varies widely based on project scope. NASA notes that smaller, focused projects (such as targeted data analysis) may be funded at under 100,000 USD per year, while large, complex efforts (such as science hardware development or extensive activities) can exceed 1 million USD per year.

How much funding is available within a specific program element?

The amount available within any specific ROSES program element can range from less than one million to several million dollars. As a result, NASA may select only a few proposals in some elements or several dozen in others, depending on objectives and the quality and volume of submissions.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.

What award types might NASA use?

Awards may be issued under different mechanisms depending on the applicant and the nature of the work, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers.

How long can a project last?

The typical project period is four years. Some program elements may allow shorter periods, or may extend up to a maximum of five years.

Where do I find the exact requirements for the SWOT Science Team element?

Because ROSES is an umbrella solicitation, the precise requirements and scientific scope for the SWOT Science Team and other elements are laid out in the ROSES appendices and the program-element summaries. The solicitation also advises consulting ROSES tables for element-by-element due dates, descriptions, and points of contact.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad in principle. Many organization types may apply, including government and private entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and domestic and foreign institutions. NASA also notes its general practice of funding primarily US institutions.

Can non-US organizations participate?

Yes, non-US organizations may participate, but NASA policy requires collaborations involving non-US organizations to be conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA does not send funding to the non-US organization.

Where can I find the rules for non-US participation?

The solicitation points applicants to the NASA Guidebook for Proposers for detailed rules governing non-US participation, including special instructions when non-US proposals involve US personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

How do I submit a proposal?

Proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative. NASA allows submission through NSPIRES or Grants.gov, but all proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES.

Can I submit through Grants.gov instead of NSPIRES?

Yes, NASA allows submissions via Grants.gov. However, organizations that choose to submit through Grants.gov must be registered in both Grants.gov and NSPIRES, and all proposing organizations must be registered in NSPIRES regardless of the submission route.

Do investigators need to be registered anywhere?

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

Who is allowed to submit the application on behalf of an organization?

Submission must be made by an authorized organizational representative.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date is March 10, 2015. The proposal closing date is May 15, 2015. The opportunity was later archived on June 14, 2015.

Are there different due dates for different ROSES elements?

Yes. The solicitation advises proposers to consult the ROSES tables and appendices for element-by-element due dates, descriptions, and points of contact.

Should applicants expect amendments or updates to the solicitation?

Yes. The solicitation advises monitoring NSPIRES and the ROSES 2015 web pages for amendments, clarifications, corrections, and newly added program elements through February 2016 (when a subsequent ROSES release was anticipated).

What is NASA's recommendation regarding registrations and system setup?

NASA recommends starting registrations and becoming familiar with the electronic systems well ahead of deadlines to avoid administrative issues close to the due date.

Who do I contact for general solicitation policy and procedure questions?

For general solicitation policy and procedure questions, the listed contact is Dr. Max Bernstein at NASA's Science Mission Directorate (sara@nasa.gov).

Does this opportunity support mission-enabling research and technology development?

Yes. The ROSES 2015 solicitation can support mission-enabling research, advanced technology development tied to NASA mission needs, and development of new measurement approaches and experiment techniques that could be used on future missions.

Does this opportunity support field campaigns and applied systems?

Yes. The solicitation includes field campaigns and Earth surface observations that complement NASA Earth system science missions, as well as development of applied systems that translate Earth science results into practical societal uses.