Environmental System Science | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name and identifier of this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is titled Environmental System Science and is identified as DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0001172.

2) Which agency and office are offering this grant?

The grant was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, through the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER).

3) What is the main goal of the Environmental System Science FOA?

The FOA supports research that strengthens the science behind Earth system modeling by improving how terrestrial ecosystems and subsurface processes are represented in models. The intended outcome is more reliable climate projections that DOE can use as part of the evidence base for long-term energy planning and decision-making.

4) What types of scientific questions is DOE trying to advance through this FOA?

DOE is looking for improved quantitative and predictive understanding of how land ecosystems function and change, and how those changes feed back on climate through greenhouse gases. The FOA emphasizes moving beyond qualitative descriptions toward mechanisms and parameters that can be tested, generalized, and used to improve Earth system model predictability.

5) How does this FOA connect ecosystem research to climate and greenhouse gases?

The FOA prioritizes projects that connect ecosystem and subsurface behavior to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. It highlights greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane and points to related processes including plant productivity, soil carbon storage and decomposition, hydrology, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity.

6) What kinds of project approaches are invited under this FOA?

The announcement invites applications using measurements, experiments, modeling, and/or synthesis efforts, as long as they are framed in a way that improves Earth system model performance and climate predictability.

7) What would qualify as a measurement-focused project for this FOA?

Measurement-focused projects may include field observations or monitoring designed to constrain key ecosystem fluxes and states (for example, carbon, water, or nutrient dynamics) in ways that are directly useful for model development and evaluation.

8) What would qualify as an experimental project for this FOA?

Experimental projects could include manipulative studies that test ecosystem responses to climate-relevant drivers such as warming, altered precipitation, drought, elevated CO2, or disturbance, with the intent of identifying underlying mechanisms and thresholds.

9) What kinds of modeling work does this FOA support?

Modeling projects may range from process-level models to model integration work that supports Earth system models. Examples mentioned include parameterization, benchmarking, uncertainty reduction, and representation of previously missing or simplified processes.

10) What is meant by a synthesis project in this FOA?

Synthesis projects may combine existing datasets, reconcile conflicting observations, develop new conceptual frameworks, or produce model-ready products that improve how ecosystem and subsurface processes are encoded in larger-scale modeling systems.

11) What ecosystems are in scope for this FOA?

A key boundary is the emphasis on non-managed terrestrial ecosystems under changing climate conditions. The priority is on natural or minimally managed systems rather than agricultural or intensively managed landscapes.

12) Does the FOA require proposals to be tied to Earth system model improvement?

Yes. Applicants are expected to frame proposed research in the context of improving Earth system model performance. Proposals should clearly explain how the results will enable better representation of terrestrial and/or subsurface processes and improve climate predictability, rather than studying ecosystems only for their own sake.

13) What is the funding category and assistance listing referenced for this opportunity?

The opportunity was described as a discretionary grant in the science and technology / research and development category under CFDA 81.049 (Office of Science Financial Assistance Program).

14) How much total funding was estimated for this FOA?

The estimated total funding listed in the summary information provided was $4,000,000.

15) Is there an award minimum or maximum listed in the summary?

No. The summary information provided did not state an award floor or ceiling.

16) Is cost sharing required?

No. Cost sharing was not required for this opportunity.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted in general, meaning many types of organizations could apply. However, DOE/NNSA National Laboratories were not eligible to serve as the prime recipient (lead organization), based on the summary provided.

18) Can DOE/NNSA National Laboratories participate in any way?

The summary states that DOE/NNSA National Laboratories were not eligible to serve as the prime recipient (lead). The summary also notes they may often be able to participate in other roles depending on the full FOA terms.

19) When was this FOA posted and when did it close?

The posting date was July 31, 2014. The closing date was December 5, 2014.

20) When was the FOA archived?

The archive date listed was March 2, 2015.

21) Where can applicants find additional information about the FOA?

The summary points to FedConnect as the location for additional information about the announcement.

22) Who are the DOE contacts listed for questions about this FOA?

Two contacts were provided: Kimberlie J. Laing (Grant Specialist, 301-903-3026, kim.laing@science.doe.gov) and Daniel B. Stover (Program Manager, 301-903-0289, Daniel.stover@science.doe.gov).

23) What is the practical motivation behind improving ecosystem and subsurface representation in models?

The FOA describes a practical as well as scientific purpose: more reliable climate projections support DOE decision-making and long-term energy planning.

24) What kinds of processes does the FOA highlight as important for greenhouse gas outcomes?

The FOA highlights processes that influence greenhouse gases, including plant productivity, soil carbon storage and decomposition, hydrology, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity, with an emphasis on linking these to atmospheric concentrations of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.