Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (IF) | Apply Online

NSF Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NSF EAR/IF program intended to support?

The NSF Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF) opportunity supports projects that strengthen the research infrastructure used to study Earth processes and to train students in Earth science research. It funds high-value equipment, instrumentation, software, and facility capabilities that directly enable basic research aligned with NSF Earth Sciences core or special programs.

2) Where in NSF does this program sit?

EAR/IF is within NSF's Division of Earth Sciences (EAR). Proposals must align with basic research on Earth processes supported by EAR programs.

3) What types of awards does EAR/IF make?

Awards are typically made as grants. In some cases, awards may be made as cooperative agreements, depending on the nature and scale of the effort.

4) Are proposals investigator-initiated or tied to a specific NSF-led project?

Proposals are investigator-initiated, meaning investigators propose infrastructure projects that meet the program goals and fit within EAR's mission areas.

5) Is there a fixed deadline for EAR/IF submissions?

The program accepts proposals on an ongoing basis; no fixed deadline is listed in the provided opportunity description.

6) What are the main proposal types supported by EAR/IF?

The program focuses on three main proposal types: (1) acquisition or upgrades of research equipment (laboratory or field), (2) development of new instrumentation, techniques, or software, and (3) community facility efforts that make complex or expensive instruments/systems or specialized services broadly available to the Earth science research and student communities.

7) What is the funding limit for acquiring or upgrading research equipment?

For acquisition or upgrades of research equipment used in laboratory or field settings, the maximum request is $500,000.

8) Is there a special cap for upgrades to research group computing facilities?

Yes. For upgrades to research group computing facilities under the acquisition/upgrade track, the maximum request is $75,000.

9) What is the funding limit for developing new instrumentation, techniques, or software?

For development of new instrumentation, techniques, or software that meaningfully extends research and research training capabilities in the Earth sciences, the maximum request is $500,000.

10) Is there a maximum request amount for Community Facility proposals?

No explicit maximum request limit is stated for the community facility category. The scale must be justified, and proposers are expected to contact the appropriate NSF program officers before submitting a proposal for a new community facility.

11) When is contacting an NSF program officer expected or encouraged?

Contacting the appropriate NSF program officer(s) is expected before submitting a proposal for a new community facility. It is also encouraged when applicants think joint review with other NSF programs makes sense, so the proposal can be aligned with the right review expertise and potential co-funding pathways.

12) What research must the requested equipment, software, or facility enable?

A core requirement is that the planned research uses must include basic research on Earth processes that fits within programs supported by NSF's Division of Earth Sciences. The infrastructure request should be tied to clear scientific questions and research activities within EAR's mission areas, rather than treating the instrument purchase or build as an end in itself.

13) What does EAR/IF expect proposals to demonstrate about usage and access?

Proposals should make the case that the infrastructure will be used, will be accessible to the intended user base, and will translate into measurable research and training outcomes.

14) How important are education and training components in EAR/IF proposals?

Education and human resource development are expected to be integral to every proposal. This typically includes how students (undergraduate, graduate, and/or postdoctoral researchers) will be trained on the instrument or facility, how the capability will be embedded into research experiences, and how the project will build workforce-relevant skills in Earth science.

15) Does EAR/IF encourage broadening participation?

Yes. The program explicitly encourages efforts that broaden participation, including concrete plans to support underrepresented groups in instrument use, laboratory and field training, and related research opportunities.

16) Are early-career investigators encouraged to apply?

Yes. Early-career lead investigators (tenure-track but untenured) are encouraged to apply, and their proposals receive attention under NSF's Broader Impacts review considerations.

17) Can outreach and broadening participation activities be included in the project budget?

Yes. The program encourages proposers to include outreach and broadening participation activities as a defined component of the project budget.

18) How much can be requested for outreach and/or broadening participation in most EAR/IF proposals?

For most EAR/IF proposals, up to $20,000 may be requested specifically for outreach and/or broadening participation work.

19) Does the $20,000 outreach/broadening participation maximum apply to Community Facility Support proposals?

No. Community Facility Support proposals are excluded from the $20,000 maximum.

20) Can EAR/IF support infrastructure that also benefits other disciplines beyond Earth sciences?

Yes. EAR/IF acknowledges that some infrastructure serves multiple disciplines. If the requested equipment, infrastructure, or personnel will also support research communities beyond Earth science, proposals may be jointly reviewed with other NSF programs, and EAR/IF may co-fund with other NSF units or even other agencies.

21) What does "joint review" mean in this context?

It means the proposal may be reviewed with participation from other relevant NSF programs when the infrastructure and its research use span multiple research communities. This can also support potential co-funding arrangements.

22) How many awards does the opportunity anticipate?

The opportunity anticipates around 50 awards.

23) What is the CFDA number listed for this NSF opportunity?

The listing identifies this as a discretionary NSF funding opportunity under CFDA 47.050.

24) What category is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized under science and technology research and development.

25) The listing shows a very high award ceiling. Does that apply to all proposal types?

A very high award ceiling is shown in the listing ($14,000,000), but practical limits depend on the track. The $500,000 caps apply to the acquisition/upgrade and development categories, while the community facility category has no explicit maximum request limit (with the expectation of program officer consultation for new community facilities and appropriate justification for scale).