ROSES 2025: A.7 Water Quality Applications

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through its Science Mission Directorate (SMD), offers the "Water Quality Applications" opportunity under the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) omnibus solicitation. As part of Appendix A, which focuses on Earth Science, this program aims to support applied research that leverages NASA’s remote sensing data and capabilities to enhance water quality management and decision-making. The overarching goal is to improve the ability of governmental, nonprofit, and academic stakeholders to address critical issues such as harmful algal blooms, sedimentation, and nutrient loading, among others. This opportunity is part of NASA’s broader commitment to using space-based observations to address environmental and public health challenges on Earth. Although the solicitation does not list a specific funding amount or cap, awards are generally issued as cooperative agreements or grants, with periods of performance typically lasting up to three years. Funding is provided through CFDA 43.001, which covers science-related activities. NASA specifies that most extramural research awards will be in the form of grants rather than contracts, given the nature of the research being solicited. The application process includes a mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI), which must have been submitted by August 19, 2025. Only proposers who submitted a NOI by this deadline are eligible to submit a full proposal. The proposal deadline was updated to December 16, 2025, due to a temporary lapse in government funding. Proposals must be submitted via the NSPIRES system, and applicants should consult Tables 2 or 3 in the ROSES 2025 summary to access the full call text. Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions registered with NSPIRES. While international organizations may apply under a no-exchange-of-funds policy, NASA funding is generally limited to U.S.-based entities. Specific provisions apply to proposals involving federal facilities or foreign collaborations, and applicants are advised to consult the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) for detailed instructions. Applications will be evaluated based on their scientific and technical merit, relevance to NASA's Earth science goals, and feasibility. A clarified requirement includes the need for end-user involvement, ensuring that proposed solutions are aligned with practical, stakeholder-driven needs. Additionally, proposals that intend to use NASA’s high-end computing facilities must include specific cost considerations in their budgets. For more details, applicants can contact Erin Urquhart from NASA’s Earth Science Division at erin.urquhart.jephson@nasa.gov or 202.909.9823. Supporting documents, FAQs, and ROSES due date calendars are available on the NSPIRES portal and NASA's SARA page. Proposals that meet eligibility and compliance criteria will be considered for award decisions, typically announced several months after submission. Based on the annual nature of ROSES solicitations, a future opportunity in this category is anticipated in Fall 2026.

Include end-user involvement and budget correctly if using NASA high-end computing