For information, here are the questions and answers from the recent drop-in session. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Q: Do US funds need to match UK funds for each proposal?
A: US researchers should include what they think is necessary for their role in the project. NASA will distribute its total funds across the call to best suit its aims. It does not have specific allocations for each project in each call.

Q: Is it required to have a US lead for each proposal, as well as a UK lead?
A: Although this is stated in the call this is currently being discussed.

Q: When will projects need to start?
A: UK projects will need to start in January 2027. US projects will hopefully start at a similar time.

Q: What is the mechanism for selecting proposals?
A: Following submission of a Notification of Intent, a single proposal will be submitted to NERC. All proposals will be assessed by the same review panel including representation from EXPORTS. UK leads of recommended projects will hear in the usual way through NERC. The US researchers in recommended projects will be asked by NASA to complete a formal application on NSPIRES. This is for information and will not be reviewed a second time. NASA will then liaise with the US researchers on funding details.

Q: Can people involved in projects change after the submission of the Notification of Intent?
A: Yes, but not the lead PI. We would also appreciate it if you let us know of any changes that do happen please - it helps speed up the assembly of the review panel.

Q: Do projects have to use BIO-Carbon or EXPORTS data?
A: It is strongly encouraged, but making use of data from other projects such as APERO, OceanICU etc is also encouraged.

Q: Can international collaborators not from the US be involved in proposals?
A: Yes, like any other NERC project, international collaborators are welcome, but subject to the usual conditions.