Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (AGS-PRF) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (AGS-PRF)

1) What is the AGS-PRF fellowship?

The Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (AGS-PRF) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity run through the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS). It is designed to support highly qualified early-career scientists as they launch independent research careers by providing time, resources, and a structured professional development component.

2) What is the main purpose of this fellowship?

The fellowship is intended to help promising new investigators pursue a self-directed research program within AGS-supported scientific areas. It also aims to broaden fellows' perspectives, encourage interdisciplinary relationships, expand professional networks, and help position fellows for future leadership in the atmospheric and geospace sciences community.

3) How long does the AGS-PRF provide support?

The fellowship provides support for up to 24 months.

4) Is AGS-PRF a grant to an institution or an award to an individual?

AGS-PRF awards are made to individuals rather than to institutions. The fellow submits the proposal directly to NSF, identifies the host institution(s), and names one or more scientific mentor(s). Once awarded, the fellowship is administered by the fellow, reinforcing the program's emphasis on early-career independence.

5) What scientific areas are eligible under AGS-PRF?

Research supported under AGS-PRF must address questions within AGS disciplinary scope. The opportunity lists the following areas:

• Atmospheric science: Atmospheric Chemistry (ATC), Climate and Large-Scale Dynamics (CLD), Paleoclimate (PC), Physical and Dynamic Meteorology (PDM)
• Geospace science: Aeronomy (AER), Magnetospheric Physics (MAG), Solar Terrestrial (ST), Space Weather Research (SWR)

6) What must an applicant propose as part of the application?

Applicants are expected to propose both:

• A research plan that clearly aligns with one or more AGS-supported disciplinary areas; and
• A professional development plan that reflects the program's emphasis on career formation in addition to scientific accomplishment.

7) Is the fellowship portable? Can I choose my host institution?

Yes. A key feature of AGS-PRF is portability. The fellowship can be taken to a U.S. host institution of the fellow's choice, as long as the host meets the program definition of an eligible host institution.

8) Who is eligible to apply in terms of citizenship or residency?

Eligibility is limited and strictly enforced. At the time the proposal is submitted, applicants must be:

• U.S. citizens, or
• U.S. nationals, or
• Legally admitted permanent residents (green card holders).

9) Who is eligible to apply in terms of career stage?

At submission, an applicant must meet one of the following conditions:

• They are currently a graduate student; or
• They earned a PhD in a scientific or engineering field no more than two years before submission; or
• If more than two years have passed since the PhD was conferred, they must have accumulated less than the equivalent of 18 months of full-time employment.

10) What happens if an application does not meet eligibility requirements?

The solicitation states eligibility is enforced strictly. Proposals that do not meet the requirements may be returned without review.

11) If my PhD was conferred more than two years ago, what extra requirement is mentioned?

If more than two years have passed since the PhD was conferred, the applicant must have accumulated less than the equivalent of 18 months of full-time employment. The solicitation also requires the proposer to include specific confirming language in the biographical sketch to affirm eligibility under this employment-time criterion.

12) Does NSF encourage fellows to move to a new institution?

Yes. The program encourages fellows to expand their professional networks by carrying out the fellowship at an institution that is new to them.

13) Can I hold the fellowship at the same institution where I earned my PhD or at my current institution?

Yes, but only if additional conditions are met. The solicitation indicates this is allowed only when specific requirements are satisfied to preserve the fellowship's networking and broadening aims.

14) What additional conditions apply if I stay at the same institution as my PhD or my current institution?

If the fellowship is held at the same institution where the applicant earned their PhD or at their current institution, the solicitation requires that the applicant:

• Has already been at that institution for at least 12 months by the time the proposal is submitted;
• Provides a strong justification explaining why staying benefits their research and professional development; and
• Identifies two scientific mentors:
  • One mentor at the host institution; and
  • A second mentor at a different institution and/or department who is a new collaborator for the proposer.

15) How many mentors are required for the fellowship?

The applicant names one or more scientific mentor(s). However, if the fellow proposes to stay at the same institution where they earned their PhD or at their current institution, they must identify two scientific mentors (one at the host institution and a second at a different institution and/or department who is a new collaborator).

16) Are there restrictions on what types of organizations can serve as host institutions?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly states that national centers, facilities, or institutes funded by other federal agencies cannot serve as host institutions for this fellowship.

17) Which federally funded national centers/facilities are specifically mentioned as ineligible hosts?

The opportunity notes that national centers, facilities, or institutes funded by other federal agencies such as NASA, NOAA, EPA, or the U.S. Department of Energy cannot serve as host institutions for AGS-PRF.

18) What should I do if I am unsure about eligibility or host institution rules?

Applicants who are unsure about any eligibility detail are strongly encouraged to contact the cognizant NSF Program Officer listed in the solicitation, since an eligibility mistake can prevent the application from reaching peer review.

19) How long does the NSF review process typically take?

The opportunity describes NSF review as typically taking about three to six months.

20) When must an awardee begin the fellowship after receiving an award notification?

Awardees must begin the fellowship within six months of being notified of an award.

21) Can I submit if I have not completed my PhD yet?

Yes. The solicitation indicates that applicants may submit before completing the PhD. However, if the applicant has not yet completed the PhD at submission, they must provide certification that the PhD has been awarded before the fellowship can start.

22) What does submission of a proposal certify?

The solicitation emphasizes that submission acts as a certification that all eligibility requirements are met.

23) Are there legal consequences for providing false information?

Yes. The solicitation notes that willfully providing false information is a criminal offense under federal law (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).

24) What is the overall takeaway of AGS-PRF?

AGS-PRF is a portable, individual-based NSF postdoctoral fellowship supporting up to two years of independent research and structured professional development in core atmospheric and geospace science areas, aimed at accelerating the transition of outstanding early-career researchers into established, connected, and leadership-ready scientists.