ROSES 2024: A.60 Earth Action: Ecological Conservation

The NASA Earth Science Division (ESD) is seeking proposals for projects that apply Earth observations to enhance decision-making in ecological conservation and management. This funding opportunity supports projects that integrate NASA Earth observations, in situ biological observations, and ecological models to develop decision-support tools. Proposals must clearly define a conservation decision-making need and demonstrate how the project will improve decision-making processes. Funded activities must involve end users who have a direct role in conservation decision-making and a commitment to sustain project outcomes beyond the funding period. The program funds projects across various ecological conservation areas, including invasive species management, protected area management, fisheries and wildlife management, habitat restoration, ecosystem services, biodiversity protection, and rewilding. Projects may focus on terrestrial, freshwater, marine, or airborne biomes. International collaborations must involve an established public or private organization with an international mandate, and compliance with NASA’s Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual is required. The program encourages multidisciplinary, multi-organizational, and multisectoral teams with expertise in conservation, management, and policymaking. Two types of proposals are solicited: Feasibility Activities (Subelement 1) and Decisional Activities (Subelement 2). Feasibility Activities focus on early-stage research, concept development, and prototype application, beginning at Application Readiness Level (ARL) 2-4 and reaching at least ARL 5. Approximately 25% of selected proposals will fall into this category. Decisional Activities must start at ARL 5 or higher and achieve ARL 9, meaning the developed products must be operationally deployed and in sustained use by the end user. These proposals will make up about 75% of selected projects. Proposals must include an end user participation plan, a statement of end user decision-making need, and a sustainable transfer plan to ensure long-term adoption of project products. Submissions must also include an Application Readiness Level assessment, a description of NASA Earth observations and in situ biological observations used, and a budget justification. The program strongly encourages projects to leverage underutilized NASA instruments such as EMIT, GEDI, ECOSTRESS, PACE, SWOT, and PREFIRE. The proposal submission deadline is March 14, 2025, with notices of intent requested by February 14, 2025. Virtual information sessions for potential applicants are scheduled for November 15, 2024, and January 13, 2025. Selected projects may receive up to four years of funding, with an annual total budget of $3 million allocated across 10 to 20 awards. Cost-sharing requirements for end users have been removed, but end users must demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and supporting project outcomes. Evaluation criteria include intrinsic merit, relevance to NASA’s Earth Science Division goals, and cost. Successful proposals will show clear evidence of end-user need, innovative use of NASA Earth observations, and a feasible plan for transitioning project outcomes to operational use. Proposals will be submitted electronically via NSPIRES, and applicants using Grants.gov must contact NASA at least 30 days before the deadline. For further details, applicants can contact Keith Gaddis or Woody Turner at NASA’s Earth Science Division.