SARA : Service and Advice for Research and Analysis
Welcome to the SARA webpage! We are here to provide information about the Data Analysis, Research, and Technology Development programs in NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). These programs (which we shall hereafter simply refer to as "R&A") are composed of projects being performed by scientists, engineers and educators from NASA centers, universities, non-profits, other government labs, and for profit corporations all across the United States of America. We solicit proposals for projects covering a very wide range of subjects and they are evaluated by peer review. If you want to learn what opportunities exist, what projects were funded recently, or what student programs are available, you've come to the right place."
The Research and Analysis (R&A) Program
Broadly defined, R&A covers the concept studies that provide the science basis for a mission, the necessary technology and techniques for implementing the mission, the calibration, validation, and analysis of data as a mission is underway, and the analysis of archived data after a mission ends. The ultimate goal is to create new knowledge as we explore the Universe, and to use that knowledge for the benefit of all humankind. A full description of all of the different calls for proposals, from Astrophysics, Heliophysics and Earth Science and Planetary Science can all be found in our omnibus solicitation, called Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science 2008 (ROSES 2008).
A year or so ago it was appreciated that there was a need for someone to focus specifically on the operation and balance of the SMD's Data Analysis, Research, and Technology Development programs. Having a person devoted to this role provides the Associate Administrator for SMD with an independent overview across all science divisions concerning the balance of programs and the areas in need of support. The first to hold this position and the one who established "SARA" was Dr. Yvonne Pendleton. Dr. Max Bernstein, formerly of the NASA Ames Research Center, now plays this role as SMD's Lead for Research. As a research scientist himself, Dr. Bernstein brings to the position a clear understanding of the needs of the community plus a strong desire to augment the science return from NASA's mission enabling research and data analysis. Frequently heard in townhall meetings these days is the SMD philosophy that science does not result from the launch of a mission or the collection of data. Science only occurs through the analysis and understanding of that data. Therefore, healthy mission science teams and data analysis programs must accompany every successful mission. The SARA position will support healthy mission science and data programs across the Science Mission Directorate. In general, restoring the health of NASA's R&(D)A programs is a very high SMD priority.
SARA works with the Division Directors and Paul Hertz, the Chief Scientist, to balance the research programs across the Science Mission Directorate.
For more information on the activities within the Divisions, including the Flight Programs, please visit the SMD home page. For information pertaining to the Science Mission Directorate's organization and leadership, please view our organizational chart.
How to Navigate this website efficiently
This web site serves as a resource for current information about the R&A program as well as a forum for dialogue with the scientific community. Your input will be of great value as we streamline procedures. Please send us suggestions. In addition there will be regular progress updates in the form of a letter from SARA. If you want to meet in person, check the Events Calendar link or visit the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters when your travels take you to Washington, D.C.
Research program specific questions should be directed to the relevant program officer and that information can be found on the Program Officers List. However, if your question is of a more general nature or remains unresolved on a timescale that seems too long to you, please do not hesitate to contact SARA via the contact page. There you will also find an email sign-up form to alert you to updates to this site.
A table of programs and their status can be found at Grant Stats; this page is being developed so some divisions may have more information listed initially than others. Keep watching.
Any grievance brought to SARA will be kept strictly confidential. We need your input to know the areas to repair, so speak freely. At the same time, please include any positive experiences you have had with people or procedures as we smooth out the rough spots. Your ideas and experiences are extremely valuable to this process. In fact, they will inform future improvements!
We have created a "how to" page to simplify your life. Topics currently include "How to become a reviewer, How to submit proposals via Grants.gov, etc." Useful links and pdf files can be found in the library. Please suggest topics to be added to each of these pages. Your insight will help us help others.