Cooperative Studies Of The Earths Deep Interior | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF EAR CSEDI (Cooperative Studies of the Earth's Deep Interior)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity offered through the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) for the community-driven program Cooperative Studies of the Earth's Deep Interior (CSEDI). It solicits investigator-initiated proposals focused on advancing basic scientific understanding of the Earth's deep interior.

2) What is the main goal of the CSEDI program?

The central aim is to improve fundamental understanding of the composition, structure, dynamics, and evolution of the Earth's deep interior (especially the mantle and core) and to connect deep-Earth processes to observable effects at or near the Earth's surface over geologic time.

3) Which parts of the Earth are emphasized in this program?

The program especially emphasizes research on the Earth's mantle and core, including the processes and interactions that shape these regions and how those deep processes relate to surface or near-surface observations.

4) What kinds of research approaches are allowed?

The scientific scope is intentionally flexible. Proposals may include field-based observations, laboratory measurements and experiments, computational modeling, or any combination of these. NSF indicates observational, theoretical, and experimental approaches are all appropriate.

5) What are examples of project topics that fit CSEDI?

Examples described in the opportunity include seismological imaging and interpretation, high-pressure mineral physics experiments relevant to mantle and core conditions, and geodynamic simulations to test hypotheses about convection, core-mantle boundary processes, plume generation, and coupling between interior dynamics and surface phenomena.

6) Does NSF require projects to be interdisciplinary?

Yes. A defining requirement is multidisciplinary collaboration. NSF signals that competitive submissions should integrate expertise across multiple geoscience and related disciplines and bring together multiple lines of evidence or research communities, rather than staying within a single specialty.

7) Is the program limited to a narrow scientific scope?

No. The scope is described as broad and intentionally flexible. The emphasis is on fundamental questions about how the Earth's deep interior works and how it shapes the planet over geologic time, including how deep interior processes influence Earth system evolution overall.

8) What types of funding mechanisms might NSF use for awards?

Funding may be provided through standard grants and, where appropriate, through cooperative agreements. The opportunity also notes that funding can support both research activities and research infrastructure.

9) How many awards does NSF expect to make, and what is the estimated total funding?

The announcement indicates an expectation of about 10 awards with an estimated total funding level of about $2,000,000 across the competition.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for applicants in the provided opportunity information.

11) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is classified as science and technology and other research and development.

12) What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program falls under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations that fit the categories described in the solicitation. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. universities and colleges (including two-year and four-year institutions, including community colleges) applying on behalf of their faculty, as well as certain U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations associated with educational or research activities.

14) Are international collaborations allowed?

Yes. While eligibility emphasizes U.S. institutions for award-making authority, the solicitation explicitly supports international work and collaborations, which can be important for global datasets, shared instrumentation, or complementary expertise.

15) Can proposals include infrastructure support, or only research tasks?

The opportunity states that funding can support both research activities and research infrastructure.

16) Does NSF mention co-funding opportunities with other agencies?

Yes. EAR indicates it will consider co-funding with other agencies, which may be relevant for projects that overlap with neighboring mission areas or require larger, coordinated support.

17) What are the deadlines mentioned for this opportunity?

The provided record includes an original closing date of September 26, 2011, a recurring target of the fourth Monday in September annually thereafter, and a later listed current closing date of September 28, 2015. The record also lists an archive date of October 28, 2015, reflecting the historical posting and lifecycle of this specific funding announcement.

18) What is the publication and funding opportunity identification for this announcement?

The information references NSF Publication 11-548 and Funding Opportunity Number 11-548.

19) What should applicants do if they have trouble accessing the electronic announcement or encounter submission-related technical issues?

For access issues with the electronic announcement, the listed point of contact is NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, indicating technical submission or access problems should be directed through the standard federal grants support channel.

20) What makes a submission more competitive according to the description?

Based on the provided description, competitive submissions are expected to be collaborative and interdisciplinary, integrating multiple approaches (observational, theoretical, experimental) or multiple research communities to address fundamental deep-Earth questions and their connections to surface or near-surface effects.