ROSES 2016: Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ROSES 2016 and how does the Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program (CSESP) fit into it?

ROSES 2016 is NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences solicitation, issued by NASA Headquarters under the omnibus funding opportunity number NNH16ZDA001N. The Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program (CSESP) is one program element within this larger ROSES portfolio, which includes many different space and Earth science research and technology topics competed each year.

What is the overall purpose of the ROSES solicitation?

The overall purpose of the ROSES NASA Research Announcement (NRA) is to fund basic and applied research that supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). The solicitation is designed to support both scientific discovery and the tools, methods, and applied pathways that help NASA SMD missions produce usable knowledge.

What types of projects can be supported under ROSES (including CSESP)?

The opportunity is intentionally broad and can support both research and enabling technology. Examples of eligible work described include theory development, modeling, analysis of NASA science data, development of new experiment techniques for potential future SMD missions, concept studies for future missions, and technology advancement relevant to NASA science objectives.

Does the solicitation support laboratory work and sample-related research?

Yes. The solicitation includes laboratory and analytical work related to samples. This can include extraterrestrial materials returned by spacecraft as well as terrestrial samples used to validate or interpret Earth-observing measurements.

What kinds of Earth science activities are explicitly mentioned?

On the Earth science side, the solicitation explicitly calls out surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions, development of integrated Earth system models, and creation of systems that translate Earth science results and datasets into practical applications and information systems that serve societal needs.

Is NASA interested only in research, or also in applications and information systems?

NASA signals interest in both. In addition to scientific research, the solicitation highlights interest in tools, methods, and applied pathways, including systems that translate Earth science results and datasets into practical applications and information systems serving societal needs.

How much funding is available for projects?

Funding levels vary widely depending on the scope and complexity of the proposed work. Smaller, focused efforts (such as data analysis) may be under $100,000 per year, while large, resource-intensive activities (such as specialized science hardware development) can exceed $1 million per year.

How are budgets managed within ROSES?

Funding availability is managed at the level of individual program elements within ROSES. Each element typically has its own budget that can range from under $1 million to several million dollars, which affects how many proposals may be selected within that element.

How many awards might be made?

It depends on the program element, program goals, and the quality and number of submissions. NASA may select only a handful of proposals in some elements or several dozen in others.

What award mechanisms can NASA use for ROSES selections?

NASA notes that awards may be issued through multiple mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and inter- or intra-agency transfers. The instrument used depends on the nature of the work, the proposing organization type, and specific program requirements.

How long is the typical performance period?

Performance periods are generally three years. However, some program elements allow up to five years, and others may require shorter durations. Applicants are expected to follow the specific rules and constraints for the appendix element they are targeting.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as open and flexible. Organizations of essentially every type can apply, including domestic and foreign entities; government and private organizations; for-profit and nonprofit institutions; and teams using any teaming arrangement NASA allows.

Can non-U.S. organizations participate?

Yes, non-U.S. organizations can be involved. However, projects involving non-U.S. organizations must be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, meaning NASA does not transfer funding to the non-U.S. partner even if they participate in the investigation.

What does "no-exchange-of-funds basis" mean in this context?

It means NASA funding is not transferred to the non-U.S. organization. The non-U.S. partner may participate, but NASA does not provide them funds as part of the award.

How do applicants submit proposals?

Submission is electronic and must be completed by an authorized organizational representative. Proposals can be submitted through NASA's NSPIRES system or via Grants.gov, but NASA requires NSPIRES registration in all cases.

If submitting through Grants.gov, is NSPIRES still required?

Yes. Even when submitting via Grants.gov, NASA requires NSPIRES registration. Organizations submitting through Grants.gov must also be registered there.

Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

NSPIRES registration is required for the submitting organization and for individual project personnel, including principal investigators (PIs) and co-investigators (Co-Is), regardless of whether the proposal is submitted through NSPIRES directly or via Grants.gov.

Who is allowed to submit the proposal?

The proposal must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative. Registration must clearly identify the authorized officials who can submit on the organization's behalf.

Why does NASA encourage early registration and system familiarization?

NASA encourages applicants to begin registration and become familiar with NSPIRES (and Grants.gov if applicable) well ahead of the due date to avoid administrative delays that could prevent timely submission.

Where are the most important technical requirements and evaluation details found?

Because ROSES is an umbrella solicitation with many separate program elements, NASA states that the most important technical details, element-specific requirements, and evaluation information are contained in the ROSES appendices for the specific element being targeted.

How do applicants find element names, due dates, and links to program elements?

NASA provides consolidated tables referenced as Tables 2 and 3 in the ROSES document. These tables list the names of individual calls, their due dates, and links to the relevant program elements.

What is the closing date shown for this specific posting?

The closing date shown for this specific posting is July 21, 2016.

Can ROSES 2016 be amended or updated after release?

Yes. NASA emphasizes that amendments and new elements may be released during the ROSES cycle (noted as through about February 2017 for ROSES 2016). Applicants are directed to monitor NSPIRES or subscribe for notifications and to consult the ROSES 2016 web archive and FAQ page for clarifications, corrections, and updates.

Who should applicants contact with questions?

Program-element questions are routed to the specific Program Officers listed in the appendices. General ROSES policy and procedure questions are directed to the SMD research contact, identified here as Max Bernstein via sara@nasa.gov.

What is the main takeaway for the ROSES 2016 Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program listing?

It is presented as a doorway into NASA-funded Earth system science work that can blend research, technology development, data analysis, modeling, field observations, and applied information systems, with flexible award sizes and broad organizational eligibility, provided applicants follow the element-specific rules and complete the required registrations and electronic submission steps by the stated deadlines.