Opportunity Information: Apply for 15 516
Apply for 15 516
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities" 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 13, 2015 and posted on Nov 12, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Proposals accepted anytime. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $7,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $14,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 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) Division of Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities Program (EAR/IF) funds research infrastructure that strengthens Earth science research and education. The core idea is straightforward: if an instrument, software tool, or facility capability will measurably expand what Earth scientists can study (and how well students can be trained), EAR/IF is a place to seek support. Awards are made through investigator-initiated proposals, and the planned use of the requested infrastructure has to support basic research on Earth processes that fall within NSF Earth Sciences core or special programs.
The opportunity supports four main proposal types. First, it funds the acquisition or upgrade of research equipment used in laboratories or the field, with the goal of advancing Earth science investigations and improving student research training. Requests under this category can be as high as $750,000, except for upgrades to research group computing facilities, which are capped at $75,000. Second, it supports the development of new instrumentation, techniques, or software that push beyond existing capabilities and expand what researchers and trainees can do in Earth science; these requests are also capped at $750,000. Third, it supports national or regional multi-user facilities that provide broad access to complex, expensive instruments or instrument systems, or to specialized services that the wider Earth science research and student communities can use. Fourth, it offers a special track for early-career investigators designed to speed the development and operation of new research infrastructure proposed by emerging leaders in the field. Under the early-career option, applicants may propose either equipment acquisition/upgrade or new instrumentation/technique/software development and may also include costs for a new full-time technician dedicated to managing, operating, and maintaining the instrument(s). Technician support under this option is limited to three years, and the total request can be up to $1,000,000.
A consistent expectation across proposals is that research training, education, and human resource development are not add-ons but integral parts of the project. EAR/IF encourages efforts that increase participation of underrepresented groups in lab and field instrument use and training, and it also encourages applicants to build in outreach and broadening participation activities. Most proposals may request up to $20,000 specifically for outreach and/or broadening participation; however, proposals for national or regional multi-user facilities are not subject to that $20,000 cap. Because some infrastructure can serve multiple scientific communities, proposals that benefit disciplines beyond Earth sciences may be jointly reviewed with other NSF programs, and NSF notes that co-funding with other NSF programs or other agencies is possible. Applicants who think joint review makes sense are encouraged to discuss that possibility with the relevant program officer.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity (CFDA 47.050 Geosciences) with no cost-sharing requirement. Proposals are accepted at any time rather than on a single annual deadline. The opportunity lists an estimated total funding level of about $7,000,000 and anticipates around 50 awards. The listed award ceiling is $14,000,000 and the award floor is $1, although the practical limits for most submissions are governed by the specific caps described for each proposal type (for example, $750,000 for many equipment or development proposals and $1,000,000 for the early-career track). Eligibility is described as unrestricted, subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation (NSF Publication 15-516). For access issues, NSF directs applicants to grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
NSF EAR/IF (Division of Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities) FAQ
1) What is the NSF EAR/IF program intended to fund?
NSF's Division of Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities Program (EAR/IF) funds research infrastructure that strengthens Earth science research and education. The intent is to support instruments, software tools, or facility capabilities that measurably expand what Earth scientists can study and improve how students and trainees are prepared through research training.
2) What kinds of projects fit the program scope?
Projects should request research infrastructure whose planned use supports basic research on Earth processes that fall within NSF Earth Sciences core or special programs. The key test is whether the requested equipment, development work, or facility capability expands Earth science research and training outcomes in a measurable way.
3) How are awards made under this opportunity?
Awards are made through investigator-initiated proposals. Applicants propose the infrastructure they want supported and explain how it will be used to advance Earth science research and education.
4) Are proposals accepted only once per year?
No. Proposals are accepted at any time (there is no single annual deadline stated for this opportunity).
5) What are the main proposal types supported by EAR/IF?
The program supports four main proposal types:
- Acquisition or upgrade of research equipment used in laboratories or the field.
- Development of new instrumentation, techniques, or software that extend beyond existing capabilities.
- National or regional multi-user facilities that provide broad access to complex/expensive instruments, instrument systems, or specialized services.
- A special early-career track to accelerate development and operation of new research infrastructure proposed by emerging leaders.
6) What is the maximum request amount for acquiring or upgrading research equipment?
Requests for acquisition or upgrade of research equipment may be as high as $750,000, with one specific exception: upgrades to research group computing facilities are capped at $75,000.
7) Is there a separate cap for computing facility upgrades?
Yes. Upgrades to research group computing facilities are capped at $75,000, even though other equipment acquisition/upgrade requests can be up to $750,000.
8) What is the maximum request amount for developing new instrumentation, techniques, or software?
Development proposals (new instrumentation, techniques, or software that push beyond existing capabilities) are capped at $750,000.
9) What is meant by "national or regional multi-user facilities" in this program?
These are facilities that provide broad access to complex, expensive instruments or instrument systems, or offer specialized services that can be used by the wider Earth science research and student communities. The emphasis is on multi-user access and regional or national reach.
10) What is the early-career track, and what does it allow?
EAR/IF includes a special track for early-career investigators intended to speed the development and operation of new research infrastructure proposed by emerging leaders. Under this option, applicants may propose either (a) equipment acquisition/upgrade or (b) new instrumentation/technique/software development.
11) What is the maximum request amount under the early-career track?
Under the early-career option, the total request can be up to $1,000,000.
12) Can early-career applicants include technician support?
Yes. The early-career option may include costs for a new full-time technician dedicated to managing, operating, and maintaining the instrument(s).
13) How long can technician support last under the early-career option?
Technician support under the early-career option is limited to three years.
14) How important are training and education components in EAR/IF proposals?
Training, education, and human resource development are expected to be integral parts of the project, not optional add-ons. Proposals should treat research training and education as central to the infrastructure investment.
15) Does EAR/IF encourage broadening participation and outreach?
Yes. EAR/IF encourages efforts that increase participation of underrepresented groups in lab and field instrument use and training. It also encourages outreach and broadening participation activities built into the project.
16) Is there a specific budget allowance for outreach and/or broadening participation?
Most proposals may request up to $20,000 specifically for outreach and/or broadening participation.
17) Does the $20,000 outreach/broadening participation cap apply to multi-user facility proposals?
No. Proposals for national or regional multi-user facilities are not subject to the $20,000 cap for outreach and/or broadening participation.
18) Can a proposal benefit disciplines beyond Earth sciences?
Yes. NSF notes that some infrastructure can serve multiple scientific communities, and proposals that benefit disciplines beyond Earth sciences may be jointly reviewed with other NSF programs.
19) Is co-funding possible for projects that span multiple communities?
Yes. NSF notes that co-funding with other NSF programs or other agencies is possible.
20) Should applicants talk to NSF about joint review or co-funding possibilities?
Yes. Applicants who believe joint review makes sense are encouraged to discuss that possibility with the relevant program officer.
21) Is cost-sharing required for this grant opportunity?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing requirement.
22) What type of federal opportunity is this (administratively)?
It is described as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).
23) What is the estimated total funding and expected number of awards?
The opportunity lists an estimated total funding level of about $7,000,000 and anticipates around 50 awards.
24) What are the listed award ceiling and floor?
The listed award ceiling is $14,000,000 and the award floor is $1. In practice, most submissions are governed by the caps tied to the specific proposal types (for example, $750,000 for many equipment or development proposals and $1,000,000 for the early-career track).
25) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation (NSF Publication 15-516).
26) Where can applicants find the full solicitation referenced for details?
The opportunity references NSF Publication 15-516 as the full solicitation where additional clarifications may be provided.
27) Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov access or technical submission issues?
For access issues, NSF directs applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
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