Opportunity Information: Apply for 10 537
Apply for 10 537
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" 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 Feb 7, 2011 and posted on Feb 5, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Full Proposal Deadline(s) May 18, 2010 May 18, Annually Thereafter. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" (Funding Opportunity Number 10-537) is aimed at closing a major gap in space weather and atmospheric science: the lack of essential space-based observations. NSF notes that many of the biggest unresolved questions in space weather research are limited not by theory, but by the absence of the right measurements from orbit. With newer sensors and small-spacecraft technologies becoming more capable and affordable, NSF is encouraging investigators to propose low-cost, small satellite missions that can collect the specific kinds of data the research community has been missing. A key emphasis is on multipoint observations, meaning coordinated measurements from more than one location in space, which are often necessary to understand complex, dynamic space environment processes.
At its core, the program supports end-to-end science missions built around CubeSats. This includes designing and building the satellite, integrating and testing the payload, operating the mission on orbit, distributing the data to the community, and carrying out the scientific analysis needed to turn measurements into publishable results and broader scientific progress. While the scientific payoff is central, NSF also highlights a workforce development goal: these missions are intended to create hands-on training opportunities for the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers. In practice, that means proposals are expected to reflect not only strong science objectives, but also credible technical execution plans and meaningful roles for students and early-career team members.
To make launches feasible and affordable, NSF focuses on CubeSat-class spacecraft that can be deployed using the standardized Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) system. The CubeSats are intended to fly as secondary (auxiliary) payloads on existing Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, or commercial launches. Importantly, NSF states that arranging the launch opportunities for the P-PODs is handled directly by NSF and is not something applicants need to procure as part of this solicitation. Beginning in 2009, NSF anticipated launching two to three P-PODs per year, with each P-POD capable of accommodating multiple individual CubeSat missions (roughly two to six missions depending on size and configuration). This creates a pathway for multiple small missions to reach orbit regularly, which is essential for building sustained observational capabilities rather than relying on rare, expensive flagship missions.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program under NSF’s research and development funding activity category, associated with the Geosciences CFDA number 47.050. NSF expected to make about two awards under this solicitation, with an estimated total funding amount of $900,000. Individual awards were anticipated to fall between $300,000 (floor) and $900,000 (ceiling). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for a wider range of teams to compete based primarily on scientific merit and mission readiness rather than institutional ability to provide additional funds.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning proposals can come from any type of entity as long as they comply with any additional eligibility details stated in the full solicitation text (NSF Publication 10-537). The solicitation was originally posted on February 5, 2010, with full proposals due May 18, 2010, and the opportunity indicated an annual deadline of May 18 thereafter during its active period. The archive date listed is February 7, 2011, indicating that this particular posting is no longer active, but the summary still reflects how NSF structured the program and what it aimed to accomplish at the time.
In short, this opportunity was built to accelerate space weather and atmospheric discovery by funding complete CubeSat science missions, leveraging standardized deployment and secondary launch slots arranged by NSF, prioritizing multipoint measurements that are hard to obtain otherwise, and deliberately using these missions as training grounds for future space instrumentation and mission operations experts.
FAQs: NSF "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" (Funding Opportunity Number 10-537)
What is this NSF funding opportunity?
This NSF opportunity, titled "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" (Funding Opportunity Number 10-537), supports low-cost CubeSat-based science missions designed to collect space-based observations needed for space weather and atmospheric research.
What problem is NSF trying to address with this program?
NSF describes a major gap in space weather and atmospheric science: many key research questions remain unresolved not because of a lack of theory, but because the community lacks essential measurements from orbit. The program is intended to help close that observational gap by funding new space-based data collection.
What kinds of missions does the program support?
The program supports end-to-end science missions built around CubeSats. That includes designing and building the satellite, integrating and testing the payload, operating the mission on orbit, distributing the data to the research community, and performing the scientific analysis needed to produce publishable results and broader scientific progress.
Is this just for instruments, or for complete missions?
Based on the program description, NSF is supporting complete, end-to-end CubeSat science missions rather than only instrument development. The scope explicitly includes spacecraft development, payload integration and test, on-orbit operations, data distribution, and scientific analysis.
What scientific areas are emphasized?
The focus is on space weather and atmospheric research. NSF highlights the need for new space-based observations to answer outstanding questions in these areas.
What is "multipoint observation," and why does it matter here?
Multipoint observations refer to coordinated measurements from more than one location in space. NSF emphasizes this approach because many complex and dynamic space environment processes cannot be understood from a single measurement point; observing the same phenomenon from multiple locations can be necessary to interpret how it changes across space and time.
Why does the solicitation emphasize CubeSats and small spacecraft?
NSF notes that newer sensors and small-spacecraft technologies are becoming more capable and more affordable. The program encourages investigators to propose low-cost, small satellite missions that can collect specific data types the research community has been missing.
How are the CubeSats expected to be deployed?
The opportunity focuses on CubeSat-class spacecraft that can be deployed using the standardized Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) system.
Are these primary launches or secondary payloads?
The CubeSats are intended to fly as secondary (auxiliary) payloads on existing Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, or commercial launches.
Do applicants need to procure or arrange the launch?
No. NSF states that arranging the launch opportunities for the P-PODs is handled directly by NSF and is not something applicants need to procure as part of this solicitation.
How many launch opportunities did NSF anticipate?
Beginning in 2009, NSF anticipated launching two to three P-PODs per year, according to the opportunity summary.
How many CubeSat missions can fit in a P-POD?
Each P-POD can accommodate multiple individual CubeSat missions, roughly two to six missions depending on satellite size and configuration.
What is the program trying to achieve beyond scientific results?
In addition to scientific payoff, NSF highlights workforce development. These missions are intended to create hands-on training opportunities for the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers.
Does the program expect student or early-career involvement?
Yes. The description indicates proposals are expected to include meaningful roles for students and early-career team members, alongside strong science objectives and credible technical execution plans.
What type of funding mechanism is this?
This is described as a discretionary grant program under NSF's research and development funding activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with the Geosciences CFDA number 47.050.
How many awards did NSF expect to make?
NSF expected to make about two awards under this solicitation.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount listed is $900,000.
What was the anticipated award size?
Individual awards were anticipated to range from a $300,000 floor to a $900,000 ceiling.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning proposals could come from any type of entity, provided they comply with any additional eligibility details in the full solicitation text (NSF Publication 10-537).
When was the solicitation posted and when were proposals due?
The solicitation was originally posted on February 5, 2010. Full proposals were due May 18, 2010.
Was this an annual deadline?
The opportunity indicated an annual deadline of May 18 during its active period.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The archive date listed is February 7, 2011, indicating that this particular posting is no longer active.
What does "end-to-end" mean in the context of this program?
In this program description, "end-to-end" refers to supporting the full lifecycle of a CubeSat science mission: mission design and build, payload integration and testing, on-orbit operations, data distribution to the community, and scientific analysis to produce results.
What did NSF see as the benefit of this approach compared to relying on large missions?
The summary explains that regular access to orbit for multiple small missions helps build sustained observational capabilities rather than relying on rare and expensive flagship missions, which can limit how often essential measurements are made.
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