Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 595
Apply for 12 595
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Critical Zone Observatory National Office" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050 Geosciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 15, 2014 and posted on Aug 9, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Currently funded but no longer receiving proposals.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $350,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- PI Limit Organizations and individuals involved in CZO awards will not be eligible to serve as the CZO National Office awardee.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity titled "Critical Zone Observatory National Office" (NSF Publication 12-595; Funding Opportunity Number 12-595) sought proposals to create a single, centralized National Office for the Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) network. The basic purpose of the award was to strengthen and streamline the way the different CZOs work together by providing an organized hub that could coordinate network-wide activities and serve as a clear point of contact for the broader research community and the public. Rather than funding additional field science at a particular observatory, this solicitation focused on building shared infrastructure in the form of leadership, coordination, communication, and outreach support for the entire CZO program.
The CZO National Office (CZO NO) was expected to carry two core responsibilities. First, it would coordinate the CZO network, helping align and integrate research and educational efforts across the observatories. This coordination role implies facilitating collaboration among sites, supporting cross-site synthesis, encouraging consistent practices where appropriate, and generally making it easier for the network to function as a cohesive program rather than a collection of separate projects. Second, it would disseminate information to multiple audiences, meaning it would actively communicate CZO discoveries, available datasets, and research opportunities beyond the immediate CZO teams. A major emphasis was on helping the broader scientific community find, understand, and use CZO-produced data and results, while also improving the network's visibility and accessibility to educators, students, and public audiences.
The award mechanism was a cooperative agreement, which typically signals that NSF anticipated substantial involvement or partnership in guiding or coordinating activities during the project period compared with a standard grant. The activity category was "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences). NSF anticipated making one award, with an estimated total funding level of $350,000 and an award floor of $350,000, and the opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
Eligibility was limited in a specific way designed to prevent conflicts of interest or duplicated roles: organizations and individuals involved in existing CZO awards were not eligible to serve as the CZO National Office awardee. The listing indicated "Others" as eligible applicants, with further clarification intended to be provided in the solicitation's additional eligibility text. In practice, this means NSF was looking for an entity positioned to act as an impartial network coordinator and communications hub, rather than one already leading a CZO site award.
Timing and status details indicate this was a time-limited solicitation that is now closed. The opportunity was posted on August 9, 2012, with a full proposal deadline of July 16, 2013. It is listed as "currently funded but no longer receiving proposals," and it was archived on April 15, 2014. For applicants at the time, NSF provided standard support contacts for accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, including NSF's Grants.gov support email (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NSF funding opportunity "Critical Zone Observatory National Office"?
This NSF funding opportunity (NSF Publication 12-595; Funding Opportunity Number 12-595) invited proposals to establish a single, centralized National Office for the Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) network. The intent was to create an organized hub that could coordinate network-wide activities and serve as a clear point of contact for researchers, educators, and the public.
What problem was the CZO National Office meant to address?
The CZO National Office was meant to strengthen and streamline how multiple CZOs work together. Rather than operating as a set of separate projects, the network was expected to benefit from centralized leadership, coordination, communication, and outreach support that helps the program function cohesively.
Was this opportunity intended to fund new field research at a specific observatory?
No. This solicitation focused on shared infrastructure for the overall CZO program (leadership, coordination, communication, and outreach), not additional field science at any particular observatory.
What were the two core responsibilities of the CZO National Office?
The CZO National Office was expected to (1) coordinate the CZO network by aligning and integrating research and educational efforts across observatories, and (2) disseminate information to multiple audiences by communicating CZO discoveries, datasets, and research opportunities beyond the immediate CZO teams.
What does "coordinate the CZO network" mean in this solicitation?
Network coordination implied facilitating collaboration among sites, supporting cross-site synthesis, encouraging consistent practices where appropriate, and generally reducing friction so the CZOs could operate as a cohesive program rather than a collection of independent efforts.
What does "disseminate information to multiple audiences" mean here?
It meant actively communicating CZO discoveries, available datasets, and research opportunities to audiences beyond the CZO teams. A major emphasis was helping the broader scientific community find, understand, and use CZO-produced data and results, while also improving visibility and accessibility for educators, students, and public audiences.
Who was the intended audience for the National Office's communications and outreach?
The solicitation highlighted multiple audiences, including the broader scientific community, educators, students, and the public, with particular emphasis on enabling external researchers to access and use CZO datasets and results.
What type of NSF award mechanism was used?
The award mechanism was a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award mechanism was a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates NSF anticipated substantial involvement or partnership in guiding or coordinating project activities during the project period, compared with a standard grant.
What was the CFDA number and NSF program area listed for this opportunity?
The activity category was "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).
How many awards did NSF expect to make?
NSF anticipated making one award.
What was the estimated funding level for the opportunity?
The estimated total funding level was $350,000.
What was the award floor for this opportunity?
The award floor was $350,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited. Organizations and individuals involved in existing CZO awards were not eligible to serve as the CZO National Office awardee. The listing indicated "Others" as eligible applicants, with additional eligibility clarification intended to be provided in the solicitation's additional eligibility text.
Why were existing CZO award participants not eligible to serve as the National Office awardee?
The eligibility restriction was designed to prevent conflicts of interest or duplicated roles and to support selection of an impartial network coordinator and communications hub rather than an entity already leading a CZO site award.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 9, 2012.
What was the proposal deadline?
The full proposal deadline was July 16, 2013.
Is this funding opportunity still open to receive proposals?
No. It is listed as "currently funded but no longer receiving proposals" and is a closed, time-limited solicitation.
When was the solicitation archived?
The opportunity was archived on April 15, 2014.
Where could applicants get help accessing the announcement via Grants.gov?
NSF provided standard support contacts for accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, including the NSF Grants.gov support email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Monitor and mitigate the effects of saltcedar beetle on Athel Trees in the Rio Grande Rio Bravo Basin
Previous opportunity: Coastal SEES
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 12 595
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (12 595) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| ROSES 2012 Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration Apply for NNH12ZDA001N MATISSE Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N MATISSE Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowships in Astrophysics Apply for NNH12ZDA001N RTF Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N RTF Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Outer Planets Research Apply for NNH12ZDA001N OPR Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N OPR Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Traumatic Brain Injury Research Award Apply for W81XWH 12 PHTBI TBIRA Funding Number: W81XWH 12 PHTBI TBIRA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY2013 Community based Marine Debris Removal Apply for NOAA NMFS HCPO 2013 2003477 Funding Number: NOAA NMFS HCPO 2013 2003477 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| New Mapping of No Data Slivers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Apply for 001 Funding Number: 001 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $38,250 |
| Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace Apply for 12 596 Funding Number: 12 596 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students Apply for 12 498 Funding Number: 12 498 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2013 Monkfish Research Set Aside Apply for NOAA NMFS NEFSC 2013 2003456 Funding Number: NOAA NMFS NEFSC 2013 2003456 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU Apply for G12AS20079 Funding Number: G12AS20079 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU Apply for G12AS20080 Funding Number: G12AS20080 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR/STTR FY 2013 Phase I Release 1 Apply for DE FOA 0000760 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000760 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Energy Density Laboratory Plasma Science Apply for DE FOA 0000755 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000755 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Minerva Research Initiative Apply for ONRBAA12 016 Funding Number: ONRBAA12 016 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative Apply for ONRBAA12 020 Funding Number: ONRBAA12 020 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Unconventional Processing of Signals for Intelligent Data Exploitation (UPSIDE) Apply for DARPA BAA 12 53 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 12 53 Agency: DARPA Microsystems Technology Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers Apply for 12 597 Funding Number: 12 597 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,150,000 |
| Geophysics Apply for 12 598 Funding Number: 12 598 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| Communications, Circuits, and Sensing Systems Apply for PD 13 7564 Funding Number: PD 13 7564 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy, Power, Control and Networks Apply for PD 13 7607 Funding Number: PD 13 7607 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "12 595", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.