What's Happening?
NASA has issued Amendment 8 to its Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2025, mandating that Earth Science proposals requesting computing allocation on the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS) must include specific costs. This amendment highlights the importance of high-end computing, networking, and storage for Earth system science, which are critical for NASA's funded investigators. The amendment specifies a cost of $0.09 per Service Billing Unit (SBU) for computing resources, applicable to all open and future program elements in Appendix A (Earth Science).
Why It's Important?
This amendment is crucial for researchers seeking NASA funding, as it ensures transparency and accountability in budgeting for computational resources. High-end computing is essential for processing large datasets and conducting complex simulations in Earth science research. By requiring cost inclusion, NASA aims to optimize resource allocation and support efficient project management. This move could impact the planning and execution of Earth science projects, influencing the scope and scale of research conducted under NASA's programs.
What's Next?
Researchers planning to submit proposals to NASA's Earth Science programs will need to adjust their budgets to comply with the new cost requirements. This may involve reassessing project scopes or seeking additional funding sources to cover computing expenses. NASA will likely continue to refine its guidelines to ensure effective use of its computational resources, potentially leading to further amendments or updates in the future.
