Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 500

  • The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ocean Acidification" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050 Geosciences 47.074 Biological Sciences 47.078 Polar Programs.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Oct 6, 2011 and posted on Oct 6, 2011.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 6, 2012 Full Proposal Deadline(s) January 06, 2012 Regular Proposals, Research Coordination Networks (RCN), and EArly concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 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 "Ocean Acidification" (NSF Publication 12-500) supports fundamental research aimed at understanding how the ocean is becoming more acidic over time and what that means for marine ecosystems and ocean resource sustainability. Ocean acidification is highlighted as a priority in the National Ocean Policy, reflecting broad concern that changing seawater chemistry could alter marine life, ecosystem stability, and the long-term viability of ocean-dependent resources. The solicitation emphasizes basic research that builds core scientific understanding rather than short-term applications, with the expectation that stronger foundational knowledge will ultimately inform management strategies and sustainability practices.

The program targets several connected scientific challenges. One major focus is the geochemistry and biogeochemistry of ocean acidification, meaning researchers are encouraged to study the chemical processes that control seawater acidity and carbonate chemistry, how carbon moves through ocean systems, and how these processes vary across regions and time. Another central area is how acidification interacts with biological and physical processes at the organism level and then scales up to influence ecosystems. This includes examining effects on life histories (such as reproduction, growth, and survival), impacts on food webs, changes to biogeochemical cycling, and other ecological interactions that can reshape the structure and function of marine communities. A third emphasis is learning from Earth system history, using evidence from past ocean conditions to better anticipate how present-day and future oceans may respond as acidification progresses.

NSF indicates that timely progress on these questions requires a range of project types, and the solicitation therefore invites three proposal categories. Regular research proposals support standard research projects that develop new knowledge through observations, experiments, modeling, or synthesis. Research Coordination Networks (RCNs) are intended to connect investigators and groups, helping coordinate data, methods, and collaborations across institutions or disciplines to accelerate progress on complex topics like ocean acidification. EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) support higher-risk, potentially transformative early ideas, typically suited for novel approaches, emerging techniques, or unconventional concepts that could open new directions in the field.

The opportunity is a discretionary grant program within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. NSF anticipated making about 15 awards from an estimated total funding pool of $10,000,000, with an award ceiling of $2,500,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals may be submitted by any type of entity, subject to any specific clarifications provided in the full program text.

Key administrative details include a posted and created date of October 6, 2011, with a full proposal deadline of January 6, 2012, applying to Regular Proposals, RCNs, and EAGER submissions. The solicitation is associated with multiple CFDA program areas: 47.050 (Geosciences), 47.074 (Biological Sciences), and 47.078 (Polar Programs), which signals that NSF expected interdisciplinary proposals spanning ocean chemistry, marine biology and ecology, and potentially high-latitude or polar ocean systems where acidification dynamics can be especially pronounced. For access or technical issues related to the announcement, the notice references NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov and points applicants to the full announcement via NSF Publication 12-500.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF "Ocean Acidification" (NSF Publication 12-500)

What is the title of this NSF grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Ocean Acidification" and is identified as NSF Publication 12-500.

What is the main purpose of the Ocean Acidification solicitation?

The solicitation supports fundamental research aimed at understanding how the ocean is becoming more acidic over time and what those changes mean for marine ecosystems and the sustainability of ocean resources.

Is this funding focused on basic research or short-term applications?

The emphasis is on basic research that builds core scientific understanding, rather than short-term applications. The solicitation notes that stronger foundational knowledge is expected to ultimately inform future management strategies and sustainability practices.

Why is ocean acidification treated as a priority area in this solicitation?

Ocean acidification is highlighted as a priority in the National Ocean Policy, reflecting broad concern that changing seawater chemistry could alter marine life, affect ecosystem stability, and influence the long-term viability of ocean-dependent resources.

What scientific topics does the program want to support?

The solicitation targets multiple connected challenges, including:

  • Geochemistry and biogeochemistry of ocean acidification (chemical processes controlling seawater acidity and carbonate chemistry, carbon movement through ocean systems, and variation across regions and time)
  • Interactions among chemical, biological, and physical processes from organism-level responses up to ecosystem-scale impacts (including life histories, food webs, and biogeochemical cycling)
  • Earth system history approaches that use evidence from past ocean conditions to anticipate responses in present-day and future oceans

What does the solicitation mean by "geochemistry and biogeochemistry" in this context?

In this program, geochemistry and biogeochemistry refer to research on the chemical processes that control seawater acidity and carbonate chemistry, how carbon moves through ocean systems, and how these processes vary across regions and over time.

What kinds of biological and ecological questions are included?

The solicitation includes research on how acidification interacts with biological and physical processes at the organism level and how those effects scale up to ecosystems. Examples listed include impacts on life histories (reproduction, growth, survival), food webs, biogeochemical cycling, and other ecological interactions that can reshape marine community structure and function.

How does Earth system history fit into an ocean acidification research program?

The program encourages learning from past ocean conditions by using Earth system history evidence to better anticipate how current and future oceans may respond as acidification progresses.

What proposal categories are invited under this solicitation?

NSF invites three proposal categories:

  • Regular research proposals
  • Research Coordination Networks (RCNs)
  • EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER)

What are Regular research proposals intended to support?

Regular proposals support standard research projects that develop new knowledge through observations, experiments, modeling, or synthesis.

What is an RCN in this solicitation?

Research Coordination Networks (RCNs) are intended to connect investigators and groups, coordinating data, methods, and collaborations across institutions or disciplines to accelerate progress on complex topics like ocean acidification.

What is an EAGER proposal in this solicitation?

EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals support higher-risk, potentially transformative early ideas. They are described as typically suited for novel approaches, emerging techniques, or unconventional concepts that could open new directions in ocean acidification research.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making?

NSF anticipated making about 15 awards.

What is the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding pool is $10,000,000.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $2,500,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals may be submitted by any type of entity, subject to any specific clarifications in the full program text.

What is the program type or funding category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

When was this solicitation posted?

The posted and created date is October 6, 2011.

What was the full proposal deadline?

The full proposal deadline was January 6, 2012.

Which proposal types share the January 6, 2012 deadline?

The January 6, 2012 full proposal deadline applies to Regular Proposals, RCNs, and EAGER submissions.

Which CFDA program areas are associated with this solicitation?

The solicitation is associated with CFDA program areas:

  • 47.050 (Geosciences)
  • 47.074 (Biological Sciences)
  • 47.078 (Polar Programs)

What does it suggest that multiple CFDA areas are listed?

The inclusion of Geosciences, Biological Sciences, and Polar Programs signals that NSF expected interdisciplinary proposals spanning ocean chemistry, marine biology and ecology, and potentially high-latitude or polar ocean systems where acidification dynamics can be especially pronounced.

Where can applicants find the full announcement?

The notice points applicants to the full announcement via NSF Publication 12-500.

Who should be contacted for access or technical issues related to the announcement?

For access or technical issues, the notice references NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

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