Atmosphere Cluster
NSF funds fundamental research on atmospheric and geospace processes, including chemistry, dynamics, clouds, weather, climate, air quality, and the water cycle, open to eligible U.S. institutions through standard NSF proposals.
⚑ Proposals may be submitted any time, but some related AGS/FARE opportunities have specific target dates or deadlines. · Facilities and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) applies when using AGS-supported FARE facilities/instrumentation. · NSF broader impacts expected: education, outreach, dissemination, open science, workforce development, and broadening participation are encouraged. · PAPPG compliance required; noncompliant proposals are returned without review.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topics: climate_weather, environment, water_resources (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds basic research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 15 none | deep-tech content; no commercialization signal |
Description
The Atmosphere Cluster (AC)in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)supportsfundamental studies of atmospheric processes from the Earth’s surface to thestratosphere, and from timescales of nanoseconds to millennia. Core areas of research include the chemical, physical, and dynamical processes in the atmosphere thatimpactclouds, weather, climate, air quality, and the water cycle.Research methods include modeling, collecting observations, conducting experiments in the laboratory and field, and advancing analytical measurement techniques.
General research topics that are supported by the AC include, andare not limited to:
Chemical processes and mechanisms that explain how atmospheric gases and aerosols form, react,transformand interact with the surrounding environment.
Processesand dynamics that governclimateand hydroclimate,includingtheir mean state, variability, response to external forcingandtheir role inthe establishment ofaglobal energy and water balance; coupled atmosphere-ocean interactions, land-atmosphere interactions and interactionsamongclouds, atmosphericcirculationand climate.
Observational and modeling studies of past climate and its drivers and studies that developand synthesizepaleoclimate proxies and records.
Physics and dynamics of atmospheric motions on all scales,from the planetary to the microscale, including the general circulation of the troposphere and stratosphere, planetary waves, synoptic and mesoscale systems, convection, gravity waves,turbulenceand planetary boundary layer dynamics.
Physical meteorology including aerosol, cloud, and precipitation physics and atmospheric electricity.
Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology includingthe processes,predictabilityand future changes insevere and hazardous weather.
Proposals to theACare welcome at any time. However, the following solicitation in support of specific atmospheric science and community efforts has a target date or deadline. Please refer tothe solicitation documents for further details:
The Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) solicitation describes therequirements for the submission of proposals that will make use of AGS-supported facilities and instrumentation managed by the Facilities for Atmospheric Reseach and Education (FARE) program.
AGS encouragesand inspiresscientific leadersbyinvesting inthe atmospheric and geospace sciences, enhancing educational opportunities and experiencesand supporting faculty and researchersat all career stages.The Division expects that proposers will integrate education,outreachand dissemination activities into their research plans in compliance with NSF Broader ImpactsMerit Reviewcriteria.
AGS invites proposals that include plans for workforce development, educational and outreach activities, open science initiatives,and efforts to broaden participation and encourage diverse talent in the atmosphere andgeospacesciences. Furthermore, AGS encourages proposals from all institutions, including Minority Serving Institutions, Emerging ResearchInstitutionsand institutions inEstablished Programto Stimulate Competitive Research(EPSCoR)jurisdictions.
The Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide ( PAPPG )providesthe instructions forsubmittingproposals toAGS.Additionally, Chapter II.F of the PAPPG defines “Other Types of Proposals,” including community-building proposals such as Conference, Travel or Planning Proposals and special categories of proposals, such as Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER).Proposals that are not compliant with the PAPPG will be returned without review.
The following sections highlight specific NSF-, GEO-or AGS-wide solicitations that may be relevant to the AGS Community. Please be aware that solicitations arefrequentlyupdated, so make sure that you are looking at the most recent version.
Career Development
AGS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (AGS-PRF) : The AGS-PRF program supports researchers (also known as Fellows) for up to 24 months at the institution of their choice. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential and provide them with research experience that will broaden perspectives,facilitateinterdisciplinaryinteractionsandestablishthem in leadership positions within theAGScommunity.
Faculty Early Career Development Program(CAREER) :The CAREER program supportsearly career (assistant professor-level) faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances for their department or organization. Awards are 5 years long and must integrate research and education.
Mid-Career Advancement (MCA) :The MCA program providesopportunities for scientists and engineers at the associate professor rank (or equivalent) to substantively enhance and advance their research program through synergistic partnerships.
Capacity Development
EMpowering BRoader Academic Capacity and Education (EMBRACE) :The EMBRACE program supportsresearch and educational efforts at "non-R1" institutions, including non-R1 minority serving institutions (MSIs), two-year colleges (2YCs), primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), and emerging research(ERIs)and master's level institutions.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU - EiR) :The HBCU-EiR– program supports research at public and private historically Black colleges and universities to strengthen researchcapacityand promote engagement with NSF.
Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (RUI and ROA) : RUIawardssupport PUI faculty in research that engages them in their professional field(s), buildscapacityfor research at their home institution, and supportsthe integration of research and undergraduate education. ROAawards similarly support PUI faculty research, but these awards typically allow faculty to work as visiting scientists at research-intensive organizations where they collaborate with other NSF-supported investigators.
Instrumentation and Facilities
Major Research Instrumentation :The MRI program supports requests for up to $4 million from NSF for the development or acquisition of multi-user research instruments that are critical to the advancement of science and engineering.
Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 :The MSRI-1 program supports the design and implementation of research infrastructure — including equipment, cyberinfrastructure, large-scaledatasetsand personnel — whose total project costs exceed the NSF Major Research Instrumentation programlimitbut are under $20 million.
Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-2 :The MSRI-2 program supports the implementation of research infrastructure — including equipment, cyberinfrastructure, large-scaledatasetsand personnel — whose total project costs fall between $20 million and $100 million.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: U.S. National Science Foundation <grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.