NSPIRES Guide: How to Submit a NASA Proposal
NASA research solicitations, many bundled under ROSES, are submitted through NSPIRES, with a Grants.gov option for some elements. NASA's separate notice-of-intent and proposal deadlines, and its team confirmation step, trip up first-time applicants.
Here is the path from solicitation to submission. To sign in, go to NSPIRES directly.
Register and affiliate
- The PI and every co-investigator create NSPIRES accounts.
- Each account must be affiliated with the right organization; your organization's registration contact confirms the affiliation.
- Fix affiliations before the proposal is locked, since changes after that are difficult.
Read ROSES and the program element
- ROSES is an omnibus solicitation: each program element has its own due dates and requirements.
- Where a ROSES element differs from NASA's Guidebook for Proposers, the ROSES text wins.
- ROSES is amended throughout the year, so work from the current element text.
- ROSES proposals typically require a redacted budget with salary, fringe, and indirect costs removed, in addition to the full budget.
Notices of intent and Step-1 proposals
Many elements ask for a notice of intent (NOI) weeks before the proposal. Some use a two-step process instead, where a short Step-1 proposal replaces the NOI and determines whether you can submit a Step-2 proposal. Calendar both dates.
Build and submit
- Follow the program element for structure, page limits, and any data management plan requirement.
- Prepare the budget and justification, applying your F&A rate.
- Make sure every team member has confirmed their participation in NSPIRES.
- Have your sponsored programs office submit in NSPIRES, or Grants.gov where the element allows it, and confirm the submission status.
Common pitfalls
- Missing the notice of intent, which many ROSES elements require before the proposal.
- Not registering the organization and team members in NSPIRES early enough.
- Working from last year's element text. ROSES is amended throughout the year.
Register and affiliate the whole team early, track each element's notice-of-intent and proposal dates separately, and get team confirmations in before submission.
Frequently asked questions
What is NSPIRES?
NASA's proposal submission system, used for ROSES and other solicitations, where both the organization and individual team members must be registered.
Does every ROSES element have the same deadline?
No. ROSES is an omnibus solicitation, and each program element carries its own notice-of-intent and proposal due dates.
Can I submit through Grants.gov instead?
Some elements allow Grants.gov submission, but many require NSPIRES. The element text specifies which system to use.
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