ROSES 2015 Topical Workshops, Symposia, and Conferences | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - ROSES 2015 Topical Workshops, Symposia, and Conferences (TWSC)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

ROSES 2015 Topical Workshops, Symposia, and Conferences (Funding Opportunity Number NNH15ZDA001N, TWSC) is part of NASA Headquarters' annual Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitation managed by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). It sits within the broader ROSES framework, which includes many different program elements described in the solicitation appendices.

2) What is the overall purpose of ROSES?

The overarching purpose is to fund basic and applied research, plus supporting research and technology, that advances NASA's space science and Earth science objectives.

3) Is this opportunity only for workshops, symposia, and conferences?

This listing is labeled for topical workshops, symposia, and conferences, but it is part of the broader ROSES umbrella solicitation that spans many program elements. Each program element can have its own focus, requirements, and due dates, as described in the solicitation appendices.

4) What types of work are within scope under ROSES?

The scope is broad across space and Earth sciences. It includes theory development, modeling, and analysis of NASA SMD mission data, as well as supporting research and technology that advances SMD mission objectives.

5) Does NASA fund work involving flight or space-based platforms?

Yes. The solicitation scope includes investigation and technology work tied to platforms such as aircraft, scientific balloons, sounding rockets, the International Space Station, CubeSats, and suborbital reusable launch vehicles.

6) Does the scope include technology development for future missions?

Yes. NASA highlights interest in work that matures experimental techniques for future missions, develops concepts for future space missions, and advances technologies relevant to SMD missions.

7) Are laboratory and measurement activities included?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes techniques and lab analysis for extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret observations from Earth system science missions, and determination of key atomic and compositional parameters needed to analyze space-based data or returned samples.

8) What Earth science activities are included?

For Earth science, the scope extends to Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and creation of systems that translate Earth science research data into societal applications, including applied information systems built around SMD objectives and datasets.

9) How much funding is available per award?

Funding levels vary widely depending on what is proposed and which program element it falls under. NASA indicates awards can be under $100,000 per year for narrowly focused efforts such as data analysis, and can exceed $1 million per year for larger, more complex activities like building or developing science experiment hardware.

10) Is there one fixed funding pool for the entire ROSES solicitation?

No. The amount of money available is not fixed across the entire solicitation. Each program element has its own funding pool, ranging from less than one million dollars to several million dollars. Selection volume can vary by area based on priorities and the number of high-quality submissions.

11) How long are awards expected to last?

NASA expects most awards to run about four years. Some program elements may specify shorter or longer periods, with an overall maximum typically capped at five years.

12) What funding instruments might NASA use?

NASA may fund projects through different legal instruments, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter-agency or intra-agency transfers. The instrument used can depend on the nature of the work and the type of proposing organization, including whether NASA anticipates substantial involvement (more typical of a cooperative agreement).

13) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad. Domestic and foreign entities, government and private organizations, for-profit and non-profit groups may submit. NASA does not restrict the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

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

International participation is subject to an important constraint: investigations involving non-U.S. organizations must generally be conducted on a "no exchange of funds" basis, meaning NASA funds are typically not provided to non-U.S. institutions.

15) Does NASA generally fund non-U.S. institutions?

In general, NASA provides funding only to U.S. institutions. Non-U.S. proposers are directed to consult the NASA Guidebook for Proposers (especially Appendix B and other cited sections) for detailed rules, special cases, and scenarios such as proposals involving U.S. personnel for whom NASA support is requested.

16) Are cost sharing or matching funds required?

No. The solicitation indicates that cost sharing or matching is not required.

17) How must proposals be submitted?

All proposals must be submitted electronically by an authorized organizational representative, and NASA requires registrations in advance.

18) What registration systems are required?

Every organization intending to propose must be registered in NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system). If submitting through Grants.gov, the organization must be registered with Grants.gov as well, but NSPIRES registration is still required.

19) Do principal investigators and co-investigators need NSPIRES accounts?

Yes. All principal investigators and other named participants (such as co-investigators) must have NSPIRES registrations, regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES directly or routed through Grants.gov.

20) Why does NASA recommend starting early?

NASA encourages applicants to start early so they can learn the submission system workflows and ensure required organizational and personnel data are in place before deadlines.

21) What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The posted date is February 27, 2015. The closing date is March 31, 2016, with an archive date of April 30, 2016.

22) Do all ROSES deadlines match the closing date shown for this listing?

No. ROSES is an umbrella solicitation with many individual program elements that often have different due dates. Applicants are directed to the solicitation appendices and to Tables 2 and 3 for the names, links, and due dates of individual calls.

23) Where should applicants look for program element details and due dates?

NASA points applicants to the solicitation appendices for program descriptions and to Tables 2 and 3 for the names, links, and due dates of individual program elements.

24) Should applicants expect amendments or new program elements during the open period?

Yes. NASA advises prospective proposers to monitor NSPIRES for new program elements and amendments through February 2016, and references an amendments archive and an FAQ page.

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

Questions about specific program elements should be directed to the program officers listed in each program element's summary information and on NASA's program officer list webpage.

26) Who should be contacted for general ROSES policy or procedure questions?

General policy and procedure questions for the ROSES NRA can be directed to Dr. Max Bernstein (Lead for Research, SMD) via sara@nasa.gov.

27) What CFDA number is associated with this solicitation?

The solicitation is listed under CFDA 43.001 (Science).

28) What kinds of activities does this program support?

The opportunity supports science and technology and other research and development activities, as described under the ROSES solicitation framework and its program elements.