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NSF Magnetospheric Physics (PD 98 5750) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NSF Magnetospheric Physics grant opportunity?

The NSF Magnetospheric Physics program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 98 5750) supports research on geospace, with a focus on the magnetosphere (the magnetized plasma region surrounding Earth in the outer atmosphere). The program aims to advance understanding of how this plasma environment is created, energized, and disturbed.

What scientific topics does this program prioritize?

The program prioritizes research that improves understanding of magnetospheric dynamics, especially how the solar wind drives changes in the magnetosphere and how those changes feed back into near-Earth space and the upper atmosphere. A central theme is the physics of geomagnetic storms and substorms, including energy sources, transport, storage, and sudden release relevant to space weather conditions.

Does the opportunity include space weather related research?

Yes. The program emphasizes the physical processes behind geomagnetic storms and substorms and how rapid energy release can affect space weather conditions.

What does the solicitation mean by "sources and populations of magnetospheric plasma"?

It refers to research on where magnetospheric plasma comes from and how different plasma populations form and evolve, including contributions from both the Sun (via the solar wind) and Earths ionosphere.

Are studies of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere included?

Yes. The program includes work on coupling between the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and atmosphere, recognizing that processes in space can drive measurable effects in the upper atmosphere and at high latitudes.

What kinds of coupling phenomena are within scope?

Within scope are studies of magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupling that connect space processes to upper-atmospheric and high-latitude signatures, including auroral phenomena, ionospheric currents, and electrodynamic responses.

Are electric fields in the magnetosphere an eligible topic?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes the origin and evolution of electric fields in the magnetosphere.

Does the program support research on plasma waves and instabilities?

Yes. It supports studies of waves and instabilities in natural plasmas, including their roles in particle acceleration, energy dissipation, and restructuring of plasma and magnetic fields.

What types of research approaches does NSF support under this opportunity?

The program is broad and supports observational, theoretical, computational, and experimental work, as long as it is applicable to the geospace/magnetospheric environment described in the program scope.

Is observational research eligible, including ground-based observations?

Yes. Observational research is supported, including ground-based programs. High-latitude observations are specifically noted as important because coupling and auroral signatures are strongest there.

Can proposals focus on spacecraft mission data analysis?

Yes. The program supports analysis of data from spacecraft missions.

Are integrated studies using multiple data sources supported?

Yes. The opportunity supports integrated studies that combine multiple data sources, such as coordinated ground networks with satellite measurements, to capture the full system response.

Is stand-alone data analysis an allowable activity?

Yes. Data analysis is explicitly included as a supported activity, whether the measurements come from ground-based instruments or space-based platforms.

What types of modeling and simulation are within scope?

The program includes theoretical and modeling efforts, including numerical simulations using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models as well as hybrid and fully kinetic particle codes.

Why does the opportunity mention MHD, hybrid, and fully kinetic models?

The listing indicates that different plasma processes require different levels of physical fidelity: large-scale global dynamics are often modeled with MHD, while particle acceleration, wave-particle interactions, and microphysical instabilities may require hybrid or particle-based methods.

Are laboratory experiments eligible under this program?

Yes. Laboratory experiments are supported when applicable to the geospace environment, such as experiments that help isolate or reproduce magnetospheric-relevant plasma behavior in controlled settings (for example, reconnection, wave generation, or instability development).

What is the funding opportunity number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PD 98 5750.

How is this opportunity categorized administratively?

It is a discretionary NSF grant program within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and is associated with CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is open to unrestricted applicants, meaning a wide range of organizations may apply, subject to any eligibility clarifications in the full program description.

Is there a fixed proposal deadline?

No. Proposals are accepted at any time (there is no fixed deadline listed).

Where can applicants find the full program announcement or description?

The listing points applicants to an NSF program description link for full announcement details.

Who do applicants contact if they have problems accessing the opportunity through Grants.gov?

For access issues, the listing provides NSF grants.gov support contact information at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.