Collaboration in Mathematical Geosciences | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NSF Collaboration in Mathematical Geosciences (CMG) program?

The NSF Collaboration in Mathematical Geosciences (CMG) program (Funding Opportunity Number 09-520) supports research and education activities at the intersection of the mathematical sciences (including mathematics and statistics) and the geosciences. It is designed to fund projects where the collaboration is genuinely integrated, with the research questions, methods, and outcomes co-developed across disciplines.

What is the main purpose or goal of CMG?

CMG aims to advance geoscience research through mathematical and statistical innovation, while also strengthening cross-disciplinary education. Proposals are expected to contribute to training students and researchers to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries and to help build shared tools, methods, and language between the mathematical sciences and the geosciences.

What kinds of projects are considered a good fit for CMG?

Projects are a strong fit when they sit directly at the overlap of math/statistics and geosciences and rely on an essentially collaborative team. NSF emphasizes that the work should not be split into parallel tracks; instead, it should reflect an integrated approach where both disciplines shape the core research.

What are the three main research themes supported by CMG?

CMG highlights three broad research themes: (1) mathematical and statistical modeling of complex geosystems, (2) understanding and quantifying uncertainty in geosystems, and (3) analysis of large or complex geoscience data sets.

What does CMG mean by "mathematical and statistical modeling of complex geosystems"?

This theme includes developing new equations, numerical methods, or computational frameworks to represent complicated Earth systems and processes that are difficult to capture with standard models.

What does CMG mean by "understanding and quantifying uncertainty in geosystems"?

This theme focuses on approaches that explain how uncertainty enters predictions or reconstructions (for example, through data limitations, model structure, parameter choices, or chaotic dynamics) and how uncertainty can be measured, propagated, reduced, or better characterized.

What does CMG mean by "analysis of large or complex geoscience data sets"?

This theme supports mathematical and statistical approaches for extracting meaning from high-volume, high-dimensional, noisy, or heterogeneous geoscience data. Examples named in the opportunity description include advanced statistics, machine learning, inverse methods, data assimilation, and dimensionality reduction.

Is collaboration required, or is it optional?

Collaboration is a defining requirement of CMG. Projects must be essentially collaborative rather than loosely coordinated.

Who must be included on a CMG proposing team?

Each proposing team must include at least one mathematical or statistical scientist and at least one geoscientist. NSF expects the collaboration to be integrated, meaning both areas inform the research design and outcomes.

Does CMG prefer certain application areas within geosciences?

The solicitation signals a preference for proposals that connect to global change and sustainability. Topics encouraged include climate, Earth system change, environmental resilience, water and energy systems, hazards, ecosystems, cryosphere dynamics, and other sustainability-relevant areas, as long as the work remains firmly grounded in mathematical-geoscience collaboration.

Is CMG strictly a research program, or does it also support education?

CMG supports both research and education. In addition to research advances, proposals are expected to strengthen cross-disciplinary education and help train participants to operate across traditional field boundaries.

What type of funding opportunity is CMG?

CMG is a discretionary grant program in the science and technology research and development category.

How much funding was NSF expecting to provide through CMG?

NSF anticipated making about 28 awards from an estimated total funding amount of $12,000,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required for CMG proposals?

No. The opportunity listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open broadly to applicant types), subject to any additional clarifications provided in the full solicitation (NSF Publication 09-520).

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences), 47.050 (Geosciences), and 47.078 (Polar Programs). This reflects the program's cross-cutting scope, including work that may extend into polar and cryospheric research areas when appropriate.

When was this opportunity posted?

The source listing shows the opportunity was posted on December 9, 2008.

What were the proposal submission windows listed for CMG?

The listing includes two proposal submission windows: February 24, 2009 to March 10, 2009, and January 8, 2010 to January 22, 2010.

What is the closing date shown for this opportunity?

The current closing date shown is January 22, 2010, due by 5 p.m. local time of the proposer.

Where can applicants find the official, complete solicitation details?

NSF directs applicants to the official solicitation document, NSF Publication 09-520, for full details.

Who should be contacted for grants.gov access issues related to this opportunity?

For access issues, the provided support contact is NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.