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FAQs: NSF Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change (P2C2) - Solicitation NSF 13-576

What is the NSF Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change (P2C2) opportunity?

Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change (P2C2) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant opportunity that supports interdisciplinary studies using evidence from Earth's past to improve understanding of how the climate system works, how quickly it can change, and how different parts of the Earth system respond to changing conditions.

What is the main scientific purpose of P2C2?

The program uses paleoclimate records as a natural archive of climate variability across time spans and magnitudes that extend far beyond modern instrumental observations. The goal is to clarify mechanisms behind past climate changes, the rates at which they occurred, and the sensitivity of the climate system to different forcing.

What kinds of research does P2C2 support?

P2C2 supports interdisciplinary research that draws on paleoclimate observations and, where relevant, integrates those observations with modeling to strengthen climate understanding and modeling capability.

What sources of paleoclimate evidence are expected in P2C2 projects?

Projects are expected to draw from major paleoclimate sources such as:

• Geological records (for example, sediments and rock sequences)
• Chemical proxies (such as isotopic signals)
• Atmospheric records preserved in ice cores (including trapped gases)
• Biological archives (such as pollen, microfossils, corals, or tree rings, depending on timescale)

Does P2C2 emphasize data, modeling, or both?

Both. A major emphasis is producing outcomes that directly strengthen climate understanding and modeling. The program highlights (1) building comprehensive, high-quality paleoclimate data sets that can serve as model test beds, and (2) enabling syntheses that integrate paleoclimate observations with modeling results.

What does it mean for paleoclimate data sets to be "model test beds"?

In this context, it means generating well-documented and accessible reconstructions that can be used to evaluate whether climate models can reproduce known past climates, abrupt events, or long-term transitions, similar to how modern instrumental observations are used to evaluate present-day models.

What types of outcomes is P2C2 trying to produce?

Based on the opportunity description, expected outcomes include paleoclimate reconstructions and data sets suitable for model evaluation, and transformative syntheses that connect paleoclimate observations and modeling to explain large-scale patterns and interpret long-term or high-magnitude variability preserved in the geologic and cryospheric record.

Is this program focused on single-site records or larger-scale syntheses?

The program encourages work that goes beyond isolated records. It promotes research that connects data and models to explain larger-scale patterns and interpret longer-term and higher-magnitude variability.

What Earth system concepts does P2C2 aim to improve understanding of?

The program is aimed at improved understanding of Earth system responses, feedbacks, thresholds, and the potential for abrupt or nonlinear change.

Which federal agency administers this opportunity?

The administering agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF).

What is the solicitation number for this opportunity?

The solicitation number is NSF 13-576 (referenced as NSF Publication 13-576).

What is the CFDA number and program area listed for this grant?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).

What type of grant opportunity is this within NSF?

It is described as a discretionary NSF research grant opportunity within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

How much total funding was NSF anticipating for P2C2?

NSF anticipated an estimated total funding level of about $11,000,000 under the opportunity as described.

What is the expected award size range?

Individual awards are described as ranging from a $20,000 floor up to a $1,000,000 ceiling.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicant entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may be included in the full solicitation text.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on July 9, 2013.

What was the original full proposal deadline?

The original full proposal deadline was October 15, 2013.

Is there a recurring (annual) deadline?

Yes. The description indicates an annual deadline thereafter on October 15.

What closing date is listed in the provided data?

The current closing date listed is October 15, 2015.

What is the archive date listed for this opportunity?

The archive date is November 16, 2016.

Where should applicants look for the full solicitation details?

The solicitation is referenced as NSF Publication 13-576 through the additional information link in the announcement. Applicants should consult the full solicitation text for complete requirements and any additional eligibility clarifications.

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

For access or technical issues related to the full announcement, the listed point of contact is NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.