ROSES08 NASA Energy and Water Cycle Study Water Quality | Apply Online

FAQs: ROSES08 NASA Energy and Water Cycle Study - Water Quality

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the "ROSES08 NASA Energy and Water Cycle Study - Water Quality" program element within NASA's broader Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2008 (ROSES 2008) solicitation. ROSES 2008 was issued as NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH08ZDA001N.

2) What is the focus of the Water Quality program element?

The Water Quality element focuses on topics connected to the energy and water cycle, with particular emphasis on water quality research. It supports work that improves understanding of Earth systems using approaches such as space-based observations, field data, modeling, and applications that translate science results into usable information.

3) What kinds of activities are supported under ROSES 2008 (and relevant to Water Quality)?

ROSES 2008 is intentionally broad and can support a range of basic and applied research and related technology development aligned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). For Water Quality, examples mentioned or implied include analysis and interpretation of NASA and partner datasets, development or improvement of models, linking remote sensing observations to in situ conditions in aquatic environments, and development of applied systems that use Earth science results to address societal needs.

4) What research approaches are explicitly called out in the solicitation?

The announcement highlights activities such as theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support NASA missions; laboratory analysis of terrestrial samples to verify or support Earth-observing mission results; development of integrated Earth system models; and development of applied information systems.

5) What types of water bodies or environments could be included in a Water Quality proposal?

The opportunity references aquatic environments including rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, and other aquatic environments where satellite and in situ measurements can be connected to observed or inferred water conditions.

6) Does the opportunity list specific water quality parameters to study?

No specific parameters are listed in the provided text. The framing indicates support for studies that connect observations and processes to indicators of water conditions, with examples given such as sediments, nutrients, algal blooms, turbidity, dissolved organic matter, and temperature, among other variables that can be observed directly or inferred using satellite and in situ measurements.

7) Can proposals include remote sensing and in situ data together?

Yes. The description specifically emphasizes research that ties remote sensing observations to conditions measured in rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, and other aquatic environments, which implies integrating satellite observations with field or in situ measurements.

8) Are technology development activities allowed, or is this only for analysis and science research?

Technology development is allowed. NASA indicates ROSES can fund efforts ranging from analytical studies to development-oriented work that supports current or future missions, including advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions.

9) What kinds of technology or mission-related work does ROSES allow?

The solicitation explicitly includes aircraft, balloon, and suborbital rocket investigations; creation of experiment techniques suitable for future space missions; development of concepts for future missions; and development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions.

10) Can projects include decision-support or applied information systems for water management?

Yes. The announcement highlights development of systems that apply Earth science research to societal needs, and it notes development of applied information systems as an area within ROSES. For Water Quality, the description notes proposals could include decision-support or information systems that help agencies or communities use NASA-derived data for water management.

11) What funding instruments are used?

The opportunity uses grant and cooperative agreement funding instruments.

12) Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?

Yes. The listing categorizes the opportunity as discretionary.

13) Is cost sharing required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing requirement.

14) How large can awards be?

Award sizes can vary widely. The announcement notes awards can range from under 100,000 dollars per year for smaller, focused efforts (such as data analysis) to more than 1 million dollars per year for extensive activities (such as developing science experiment hardware).

15) How much total funding is available for a program element?

The announcement states that the amount available for each individual program element can range from less than one million to several million dollars total, allowing NASA to select from a small handful to several dozen projects depending on objectives and proposal quality.

16) What is the typical period of performance?

The typical period of performance is four years, though some elements may specify different durations.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open. NASA states that participation is open to all categories of organizations, both domestic and foreign, including universities, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other government agencies.

18) Are there limits on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements?

No. NASA notes there is no restriction on the number of proposals or teaming arrangements.

19) Can non-US organizations participate?

Non-US organizations may collaborate, but NASA's policy generally requires that such collaborations be conducted with no exchange of funds to the non-US participants. In other words, NASA will not directly pay foreign organizations even if they contribute to the work.

20) How are applications submitted?

Applications are submitted electronically. The solicitation emphasizes early registration and preparation to avoid administrative issues.

21) What systems do applicants need to use (NSPIRES and/or Grants.gov)?

Organizations must be registered in NSPIRES (NASA's proposal system). If applying through Grants.gov, they must be registered there as well. The announcement encourages applicants to learn and access the systems well before deadlines.

22) Who must be registered in NSPIRES?

All principal investigators and co-investigators must be registered in NSPIRES, and submissions must be made by an authorized organizational representative.

23) Where can applicants find the ROSES 2008 solicitation?

The ROSES 2008 solicitation was made available through the NSPIRES solicitations page, with availability noted as around February 15, 2008.

24) Are Notices of Intent (NOIs) required?

The text indicates Notices of Intent are requested for many ROSES elements, with an early date cited as March 14, 2008. The provided information does not explicitly confirm whether an NOI is required for this specific Water Quality element, only that NOIs are requested for many elements.

25) What are the key dates for this Water Quality listing?

The specific listing for the Water Quality element shows a posted date of May 28, 2008 and a closing date of August 19, 2008, with an archive date of September 18, 2008.

26) How do ROSES 2008 proposal due dates work across the full solicitation?

The text notes that proposal due dates for program elements begin May 9, 2008 and extend through March 27, 2009 across the full ROSES suite. Individual elements can have their own specific posted and closing dates.

27) How do applicants find the correct application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants are directed to search in Grants.gov using the ROSES-related funding opportunity number format tied to NNH08ZDA001N, then select the specific program element associated with Water Quality to download the appropriate application package.

28) What should applicants do to confirm technical fit and element-specific guidance?

The solicitation directs applicants to consult the program officers listed within each program element's "Summary of Key Information" for technical fit and element-specific guidance.

29) Who handles general policy and procedure questions?

General policy and procedure questions are directed to Dr. Yvonne Pendleton at NASA Headquarters, as noted in the solicitation (with contact details provided in the notice).

30) What larger NASA program is this element part of?

This Water Quality element is part of ROSES 2008, NASA's larger portfolio used to fund research supporting NASA Earth and space science goals, including efforts that use space-based observations, field data, modeling, and applications to improve understanding of Earth systems.