Research opportunities in HAWC suborbital, science, and application development activities (ROHSSA)

Research opportunities in HAWC suborbital, science, and application development activities (ROHSSA) is sponsored by Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Supports research and development activities in priority areas of the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission.

Research opportunities in HAWC suborbital, science, and application development activities (ROHSSA) | Canadian Space Agency Research opportunities in HAWC suborbital, science, and application development activities (ROHSSA) Notice of intent — stage 1 Complete applications — stage 2 Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Appendix a: evaluation criteria definition, scale rating, and scores Appendix b: eligible activities definition Appendix c: objectives and priorities Note: To optimize the available budget, the following information is subject to change between award cycles and may be updated.

All announcement of opportunity ( AO ) updates relevant to a given award cycle will take place at least eight (8) weeks prior to the deadline for applications under the cycle.

2025 Application and Award Cycle 1 Application deadline: Closed July 21, 2025 , at 16:00 (ET) 2025 Application and Award Cycle 2 Application deadline: Closed October 21, 2025 , at 16:00 ( ET ) 2026 Application and Award Cycle 3 Notice of intent deadline: September 1, 2026 , at 16:00 ( ET ) Full application deadline: October 6, 2026 , at 16:00 ( ET ) Approximate project start and end dates: April 2027 to March 2030 Funding from the CSA for this cycle: up to $810,000 toward eligible costs Estimated number of projects awarded: 0 for Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting ground-based and/or airborne data collection (Stream 1).

2 for Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting model development and/or data analysis (Stream 2). 1 for Advancing applications enabled by HAWC for a healthy and climate-resilient Canada (Stream 3).

2027 Application and Award Cycle 4 Notice of intent deadline: August 31, 2027 , at 16:00 ( ET ) Full application deadline: October 5, 2027 , at 16:00 ( ET ) Approximate project start and end dates: April 2028 to March 2031 Funding from the CSA for this cycle: up to $810,000 toward eligible costs Estimated number of projects awarded: 0 for Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting ground-based and/or airborne data collection (Stream 1).

2 for Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting model development and/or data analysis (Stream 2). 1 for Advancing applications enabled by HAWC for a healthy and climate-resilient Canada (Stream 3).

Summary of key information Eligible Recipients: Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions Grants or Contributions: Grants Maximum Amount per Project: $270,000 Maximum Amount per year per Project: $90,000 Estimated Total Amount of the AO : $540,000 A Lead Researcher may lead only one (1) grant at a time per ROHSSA Stream Maximum Timeframe of the Project: Three (3) years The Canadian Space Agency ( CSA ) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for the Canadian space science community to pursue research and development activities in priority areas of the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission.

HAWC is a Canadian-led mission that will fill the gaps in information needed for near-term predictions of weather, air pollutants/aerosols and surface hydrology, and in long-term climate projections.

With this Announcement of Opportunity ( AO ), the CSA solicits proposals for projects that will contribute to the following objectives: Advance primary HAWC science objectives; Advance applications enabled by HAWC for a healthy and climate-resilient Canada.

This AO is consistent with the terms and conditions of the CSA Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology - Research Component. Applicants are asked to read the following AO thoroughly before submitting their applications.

This AO was prepared to help applicants complete the application process, and outlines key elements, including mandatory criteria for eligibility, details on eligible projects and the selection process. In the event of any discrepancies between this AO and the individual funding agreements governing a project, the latter document(s) will take precedence.

The objective of this AO is to support science and applications development activities related to the HAWC initiative.

More specifically, through this AO , the CSA seeks to: Advance HAWC science and applications through research, development, and the integration of atmospheric observations, modelling, and advanced analytics, including artificial intelligence; Increase Canadian participation and leadership in the HAWC initiative, strengthening national expertise and collaboration in Earth observation, atmospheric monitoring, and climate research; Enhance Earth system modelling capacity and the use of CSA -supported data, including improving the integration, accessibility, and operational use of atmospheric and environmental datasets; Develop applications that strengthen civil preparedness, resilience, and critical infrastructure protection, including capabilities for anticipating, responding to, and recovering from environmental disruptions, with potential applicability across civilian and/or security contexts; Improve environmental intelligence and situational awareness in northern, remote, and Arctic regions, aligning with Government of Canada and allied priorities, including monitoring extreme events, air quality variability, and evolving environmental conditions affecting communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure.

Projects selected from this CSA competition must have as their objective to increase scientific knowledge that will contribute to the objectives of the HAWC initiative and enable the development of applications. 3. 3 Links to CSA Priorities 3.

4 Links to the Class G&C Program Objectives 3. 5 Research and Development ( R&D ) Definition To be eligible, the applicant must be a recognized Canadian university or post-secondary institution. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) maintains a directory of recognized schools in Canada.

The researcher leading these projects must: Hold a PhD obtained from a recognized institution. Hold a permanent, term, or contract position at the applicant institution for the duration of the funding agreement. The position may be paid or unpaid.

This includes Adjunct Faculty that may be employed by industry. The signature of the Duly Authorized Representative on the Application Form is sufficient evidence that the Applicant believes that the Lead Researcher will hold a position at the applicant institution for the duration of the funding agreement. Note: A Lead Researcher may lead only one (1) grant at a time per ROHSSA Stream.

These are the sole conditions that must be satisfied at the time of application. To be eligible for CSA funding, projects must consist of one or more of the following: Research activities of interest to Canada related to space science and technology disciplines and their applications; End project phases such as analyses of space data and the transformation of that data into useful information.

Projects must also meet funding limits specific to the targeted Stream (see section 7. 1 ). All development phases necessary for a project are eligible.

Any logical breakdown or combination of these phases can constitute a funded project under this AO . However, breaking down a project into numerous phases submitted as distinct proposals to obtain more than the maximum grant or contribution under this AO is not allowed. Furthermore, the completion of a funded phase does not automatically guarantee future funding of the remaining phases.

To be eligible, the activities outlined in the project must also align with one of the following Streams: Stream 1: Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting ground-based and/or airborne data collection. Stream 2: Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting model development and/or data analysis. Stream 3: Advancing applications enabled by HAWC for a healthy and climate-resilient Canada.

Detailed definitions of eligible activities under each Stream can be found in Appendix B . 3. 3 Links to CSA Priorities To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to at least one of the primary HAWC science objectives (Stream 1 and Stream 2) or enabled applications (Stream 3).

Detailed descriptions of these priorities can be found in Appendix C . 3.

4 Links to the Class G&C Program Objectives To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to the achievement of at least one of the following objectives: To support the development of science and technology relevant to the priorities of the CSA ; To foster the continuing development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada in areas relevant to the priorities of the CSA ; To support information gathering, studies and research related to space.

3. 5 Research and Development ( R&D ) Definition Eligible projects supported under this AO must comply with the following definition for basic R&D : “Any pre-commercial science and technology activities that are carried out to resolve unknowns regarding the feasibility of (i) space concepts or (ii) applications in the space sector.

” The following due diligence process will be applied to determine whether projects are compliant with this definition: Are the scientific unknowns to be answered clearly stated? Is there a description of how the expected results will be obtained (methodology)? Are the working hypotheses used to solve the scientific unknowns clearly stated?

Is it clearly demonstrated that the proposed solution consists of more than routine analysis, engineering or current operations? Basic R&D activities supported under this AO shall be undertaken in Canada unless it is essential to the success of the project. 4 Notice of intent — stage 1 4.

1 Service Standards — Notice of Intent The objective of this mandatory stage is to verify the eligibility of the applicant and the project before receiving a full proposal. An applicant who has presented a project summary that meets the eligibility criteria will receive the necessary documentation to submit a full proposal.

In this first stage, the project submitted shall include: Documents necessary to verify eligibility of the applicant according to the criteria set out in Section 3. 1 of this AO . This includes: Proof of incorporation or registration and a copy of the document(s) confirming the legal name of the applicant; a copy of the PhD diploma of the lead researcher; the signature of the Duly Authorized Representative on the Notice of Intent.

A description of the project (approximately one page, to a maximum of 1000 words) that allows the CSA to assess the project's eligibility under the criteria listed in Sections 3. 2 , 3. 3 , 3.

4 and 3. 5 of this AO . The planned budget request, including third party funding.

This is for planning purposes and is not binding. Submission is done by first completing an account creation request at the electronic proposal portal . Upon account creation, the CSA will send an email with instructions on how to connect to the CSA secure filer system to allow you to upload documents securely.

Please note that Google Chrome is the browser of choice for submissions. Applicants are encouraged to create their account several days before the submission deadline , in order to address any technical difficulties that could arise. Documents must be received at the CSA no later than the notice of intent deadline indicated at the top of this announcement.

4. 1 Service Standards — Notice of Intent Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions about their project. Applicants whose projects meet the eligibility criteria will receive the necessary documentation to submit a full proposal.

Acknowledgement: The CSA 's goal is to acknowledge receipt of proposals within 2 weeks of receiving the request. The acknowledgment will be accompanied by the necessary documentation to submit a full proposal or a letter stating that the project is not eligible. 5 Complete applications — stage 2 5.

1 Required Documentation 5. 2 Service Standards — Complete Applications 5.

1 Required Documentation The application must include the following: A completed original application form signed by the duly authorized representative, which includes; Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form (refer to the Applicant Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act section included in the application form), which is integrated in the application form; For organizations in Quebec, M-30 Supporting Documentation form completed and signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the M-30 form for organizations in Quebec), which is integrated in the application form; 1 copy of the proposal (up to a maximum of 10 pages); Letters from co-researchers and other funding contributors confirming their contributions (if applicable); In the scenario where a collaboration with non-funding federal department is planned, a letter from the director general of the collaborating department must be provided.

The letter must include a description of the roles and responsibilities of the parties, and an estimate of costs to be incurred by the federal department, including salaries. Any other documentation supporting the activities proposed within the project. The application must be prepared as a single PDF-formatted file containing all of the above requested documents with all security features disabled.

Please order the document with the application form and proposal first. The proposal and supporting documents must be included in the file as searchable PDF-formatted documents (PDF/A-1a or PDF/A-2a formats preferred). If there are any accessibility issues with the submitted PDF file, all consequences reside with the applicant.

Any missing supporting document or any incoherence between the requested documents and the information provided within the documents may lead to the rejection of the proposal on that sole basis. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application complies with all relevant federal, provincial and territorial legislation and municipal bylaws.

Submission is done by using the same account created for submitting the NoI, and documents shared through the same secure portal. Please note that Google Chrome is the browser of choice for submissions. Applicants are encouraged to create their account several days before the submission deadline , in order to address any technical difficulties that could arise.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload their applications well before the submission deadline. Full proposals must be received at CSA no later than the closing date and time indicated at the top of this AO page. Applications sent by email or as email attachments will not be accepted.

Incomplete applications shall not be considered. Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the “Frequently Asked Questions” of this AO ( Section 10 ). 5.

2 Service Standards — Complete Applications Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions regarding their application. Selected applications will be announced on the CSA website. The CSA has set the following service standards for processing times, acknowledgement of receipt, funding decisions and payment procedures.

Acknowledgement: The CSA 's goal is to acknowledge receipt of proposals within 2 weeks of receiving a completed application package. Decision: The CSA 's goal is to respond to the proposal within 16 weeks of the AO cycle's closing date and to send a grant agreement for signature within 4 weeks after formal approval of the proposal.

Payment: The CSA 's goal is to issue payment within 4 weeks of the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the grant agreement. Compliance with these service standards is a shared responsibility. Applicants must submit all required documentation in a timely fashion.

Service standards may vary by Announcement of Opportunity. Represents an eligible recipient as defined in Section 3. 1 ; Represents an eligible project as defined in Sections 3.

2 , 3. 3 , 3. 4 ; Meets the basic R&D definition in Section 3.

5 ; and Meets program funding provisions as defined in Section 7. 1 . Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria.

These are further described in Appendix A . The minimum overall score required to be considered for funding is 60 points. Only applications that have passed the eligibility assessment listed in Section 6.

1 will be given further consideration. Once the eligibility criteria are confirmed, evaluators will assess the screened applications according to the criteria listed in Section 6. 2 .

Evaluators shall be experts in the fields relevant to the applications and may include representatives of Canada and other countries, and representatives of other government and non-government agencies and organizations. If applicable, a multidisciplinary evaluation committee will be formed when applications from several different disciplines are competing in order to provide a uniform final score and ranking of proposals.

Before a final decision is made, the CSA 's Program Manager responsible for this AO may seek input and advice from other organizations, including (but not limited to) federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government agencies and organizations.

The results obtained in this AO could take into account certain factors in the final decision to grant funding, such as, but not limited to, the representativeness of the four designated groups (woman, Indigenous person, disabled person or member of a visible minority), regional distribution, academic level, distribution between universities and post-secondary educational institutions, etc. Please visit the Employment Equity site for a complete definition of each group.

The maximum annual funding per grant agreement to an eligible recipient under Streams 2 and 3 is $90,000 per year, up to a total of $270,000. This information is summarized in the table below: Maximum annual funding per grant agreement 1. Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting ground-based and/or airborne data collection 2.

Advancing primary HAWC science objectives by conducting model development and/or data analysis 3. Advancing applications enabled by HAWC for a healthy and climate-resilient Canada The CSA reserves the right to reject any proposals or reduce the amount of the grants or the contributions at its entire discretion. The number of projects under this AO will depend on funding availability.

Submitted proposals should plan to be completed within a maximum period of three (3) years. An applicant (university or post-secondary institution) may be funded for more than one (1) project under this AO provided each project has a different Lead Researcher or targets different Streams. A researcher can only be the Lead Researcher for one (1) active grant per Stream under this AO at any given time.

A Lead Researcher with an active grant under one of this AO 's Streams may submit a new proposal to a different Stream under this AO . A Lead Researcher with an active grant under one of this AO 's Streams may also submit a new proposal to the same AO Stream in the final year of their existing grant so long as their existing grant will conclude prior to the commencement of the proposed work.

Approved proposals will be eligible for a total amount of government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) of up to 100% of total project costs. To determine the amount of funding to be allocated, consideration will be given to the availability of CSA funds, the total cost of the project, and the other confirmed sources of funds provided by other stakeholders and the applicant.

Applicants must identify all sources of funding in their applications and confirm this information in a funding agreement if the project is selected for funding. Upon completion of a project, the recipient must also disclose all sources of funding. Eligible costs are direct expenses that are associated with the delivery of the approved project and that are required to achieve the expected results of the project.

Expenses will be covered subject to the applicant signing a funding agreement, in the form of a grant, with the CSA . Eligible costs for grants under this AO are the following: Accommodation and meal allowances (The authorized allowances are $600 / day for all destinations. They include accommodation, meals, incidentals, and local transportation.

Allowances are also applicable for the day of departure and arrival); Acquisition, development and printing of materials; Acquisition or rental of equipment; Aircraft and watercraft charter services; Consultant services (not to exceed 30% of eligible costs); Costs related to obtaining security clearance; Laboratory analysis services; Marketing and printing services; Overhead (administrative) costs (not to exceed 10% of eligible costs for Stream 1 and 15% for Stream 2 and Stream 3); Participation fees at conferences, committees and events; PST , HST and GST net of any rebate to which the recipient is entitled and the reimbursement of any taxes for goods and services acquired in a foreign country net of any rebate or reimbursement received in the foreign country; Publication and communication services; Travel (Eligible expenses include round-trip economy class air tickets or the cost of another, more economical mode of transportation.

The rates payable in cents per kilometre for the use of privately owned vehicles must follow Treasury Board rates , Appendix B. Travel expenses shall be in direct relation to the project (ex. Field work, project meetings).

Proponent must indicate the number of trips and the number of days for each trip, the cost, destination, and purpose of each journey, together with the basis of these costs); and 8. 4 Intellectual Property 8. 5 Organizations in Quebec 8.

6 Performance Measurement 8. 7 Open Access Publications The CSA and each successful applicant (the recipient) will sign a funding agreement. This is a condition for any payment made by the CSA with respect to the approved project.

For grant agreements, payments will be made in a lump sum or instalments as described in the signed agreement. Grant funding agreements will include a clause stipulating the recipient's obligation to confirm—once a year in the case of multi-year agreements—their eligibility for the G&C Program - Research Component and inform the CSA in writing of any changes to the conditions used in determining their eligibility for this component.

The recipient of a funding agreement shall keep proper records of all documentation related to the funded project, for the duration of the project and for six (6) years after the completion date of the project, in the event of an audit. This documentation shall be available upon request.

In the funding agreement, the recipient will certify that any current or former public office holder or public servant it employs complies with the provisions of the relevant Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders and the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector respectively. 8.

4 Intellectual Property All intellectual property developed by the recipient in the course of the project shall vest in the recipient. 8. 5 Organizations in Quebec An organization in Quebec whose operations are partially or fully funded by the province of Quebec may be subject to the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif , CQLR c M-30.

Under Sections 3. 11 and 3. 12 of this Act, certain entities/organizations, as defined in the meaning of the Act, such as municipal bodies, school bodies, or public agencies, must obtain authorization from the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes ( SQRC ), as indicated by the Act, before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada, its departments or agencies, or a federal public agency.

Consequently, any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining such authorization before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada. Quebec applicants must complete, sign and include the M-30 Supporting Documentation form with their application. 8.

6 Performance Measurement The CSA will ask the recipients to report on certain aspects of their projects such as: Knowledge production (including publications) Intellectual property (including patents) Project's research team (including highly qualified personnel supported) 8.

7 Open Access Publications In the event that publications result from the project, the CSA wishes to promote the dissemination of findings that result from the projects it funds as quickly and to the greatest number of people as possible.

Improved access to scientific results not only allows scientists to use a broader range of resources and knowledge, but also improves research collaboration and coordination, strengthens citizen engagement and supports the economy. Thus, the CSA promotes the use of open access publication and archiving by recipients in order to facilitate the widest dissemination of findings that results from its funded projects.

Thus, recipients are invited to publish, in a timely matter, their articles by using one of the following methods: Accessible online repository (institutional or disciplinary) so that the publication is freely accessible. Journal offering open access to articles. It should be noted that these two methods are not mutually exclusive and that recipients are encouraged to use both.

Finally, the CSA wishes to receive, as a courtesy, a copy of the publications (if not freely accessible) or the hyperlink (if freely accessible) and its digital object identifier ( DOI ). These will be used to improve accessibility by including them in the CSA publications directory. 9 Privacy notice statement The CSA manages and protects the information provided by the applicant under the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act .

By submitting your personal information, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Privacy Statement, which explains how the information about the applicant will be processed. The information is collected under the CSA Class Grants and Contributions Program in Support of Awareness, Research and Learning - Research Component ( ASC PPU 045) and Awareness and Learning Component (ASC PPU 040).

This information will be used for administration and application evaluation purposes. Personal information (such as name, contact information and biographical information) will be kept for 6 years and destroyed. According to the Privacy Act, any individual may, upon request, (1) have access to his or her personal data and (2) request correction of the incorrect information.

Applicants should also note that information relating to the Funding Agreement could be disclosed publicly in accordance with the laws, policies and directives of the Government of Canada. For additional information regarding this statement, please contact: Office of Access to Information and Privacy Email: aiprp-atip@asc-csa. gc.

ca 10 Frequently asked questions (FAQ) It is the responsibility of the applicants to obtain clarification of the requirements contained herein, if necessary, before submitting an application. For any questions related to the AO , applicants shall use the following email address: AVENIR-HAWC-science@asc-csa. gc.

ca . Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this AO . The CSA will respond to questions received before 17:00 ET , 10 business days prior to the closing date of any given cycle.

Question 1: Who is my Duly Authorized Representative? Answer 1: Ask your office of research to find out who the Duly Authorize Representative is at your institution. Question 2: Can a proposal requesting less funding than the maximum eligible amount per agreement be submitted?

Answer 2: Yes. There is no minimum threshold on the budget. The budget should be aligned with the scope of the proposal.

Question 3: In the spirit of collaboration, can multiple institutions organize themselves to submit separate proposals that fit within the total AO envelope? Answer 3: Yes. All proposals will be evaluated individually.

Each proposal must respect the eligibility criteria and must include separate, nonoverlapping activities and costs. Question 4: Are transport fees related to the transport of instruments required during a field campaign considered eligibles expenses? Answer 4: : Yes.

Data acquisition includes the cost to acquire data, including satellite imagery data and data portal subscription fees, required to perform the project commensurate with project scope. It also includes ancillary costs not covered elsewhere to acquire (collect) data in the field. Question 5: What constitute "consultant services"?

Answer 5: The nature of services to be acquired shall be set out in the proposal estimates and the consultant must perform specific tasks only (not for the project as a whole). The amount eligible for a consultant shall be the actual contract amount. The CSA reserves the right to approve only a portion of the consultant fees submitted.

Question 6: Are student stipends eligible under “Salaries and benefits”? Answer 6: Stipends or financial compensation for certain fees paid to students for their contribution to a project, are eligible costs that must be claimed under the heading " bursaries ". Question 7: Can a proposal include transfer of funds between partner institutions or reimbursement of expenses incurred by partner institutions?

Answer 7: No. All eligible expenses for a project must be incurred and paid by the recipient with which the CSA has a grant agreement. For example, if support from other institutions is required for field work detailed in the proposal, travel expenses for these external participants must be paid for directly by the recipient in order to be eligible expenses.

It is not allowed for the recipient to reimburse another participant for expenses incurred by the latter. Question 8: Is this Announcement of Opportunity open to any airborne campaigns? Answer 8: No. This announcement of opportunity is ONLY open to projects that will contribute to advance primary High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission's science objectives.

For other projects, please check CSA 's Opportunities page . Question 9: Can a proposal submitted for this announcement of opportunity also be submitted for the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) opportunity?

Answer 9: For this cycle, HAWC -related projects can only be funded through this announcement of opportunity and will not be eligible for the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) funding. Question 10: Can a government researcher be included as a co-investigator in the application? Answer 10: yes, a government researcher can be included as a co-investigator in the application.

However, no funding transfer is authorized to any other entity outside of the Applicant. A government researcher can apply as a Principal Investigator if they are affiliated to an eligible institution (the applicant), i.e. , they are Adjunct Faculty. Question 11: How should the NoI documents be transferred, and where should the Duly Authorized Representative (DAR) sign?

How will I know my documents have been received? Answer 11: The NoI documents should be transferred through the PIE-ISEP platform, with the link received by email after the account creation. It is suggested to merge all documents in a single pdf file, and have the DAR sign this document, wherever is most visible and practical.

A confirmation email will be sent after CSA receives the documents, and a confirmation of eligibility will follow. Question 12: Will CSA provide PONEX data to applicants who request it? Answer 12: No, CSA will not provide data.

It is up to the applicants to establish collaborations ensuring they have access to PONEX data. 11 Appendix a: evaluation criteria definition, scale rating, and scores 11. 1.

1 Priority Alignment 11. 2. 1 Development of Highly Qualified Personnel ( HQP ) 11.

2. 2 Application of Results 11. 3.

1 Methodology Feasibility 11. 3. 2 Schedule Feasibility 11.

3. 3 Risk and mitigation Each criterion will be rated on a letter scale from A to D, with A being the highest score. A numerical weight is associated