26 June 2020
NASA will be soliciting Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP) proposals under both ROSES 2020 and ROSES 2021. This reverses a decision (announced on April 3, 2020) that ADAP proposals would not be solicited under ROSES 2021.
Over the past four months, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all of our lives and research plans. Throughout this period, NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has actively followed the challenges faced by the scientific community and has attempted to respond in ways that are designed to assist the community during this difficult time. The rationale for cancelling the ADAP 2021 solicitation was to reduce the burden of deferred work that everyone — both within NASA and across the community — will face as we return to a new normal in our personal and professional lives.
Since then, NASA has received extensive feedback from the community, including input from a recent community survey and advice from the Astrophysics Advisory Committee, that any benefits of cancelling ADAP 2021 are outweighed by negative impacts. This feedback points out that women and early-career scientists may be disparately impacted by the burdens of school closing and widespread lockdowns. Canceling the ADAP 2021 solicitation and selecting twice as many proposals under ADAP 2020 would have the effect of imprinting this disparate impact on two years of ADAP awards rather than only one. As stated, this negative impact outweighs the anticipated benefits.
NASA is reversing the decision to cancel the ADAP 2021 solicitation. Proposals for the ADAP will be solicited, as usual, under Appendix D.2 of ROSES 2021. We are trying to do our best during this unprecedented situation. We can and will learn as we go.
Questions regarding ADAP may be directed to Doug Hudgins at douglas.m.hudgins@nasa.gov.