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NSF Particle and Nuclear Astrophysics (PNA) Grant (PD 09 1643) - FAQs

What is the NSF Particle and Nuclear Astrophysics (PNA) program?

The Particle and Nuclear Astrophysics (PNA) program is a discretionary NSF research grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PD 09 1643) under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences directorate (CFDA 47.049). It supports research at the intersection of particle physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics, with an emphasis on understanding high-energy phenomena in the universe and the fundamental particles and interactions responsible for them.

What kinds of research does the PNA program support?

The program supports both observational/experimental research and the research and design work needed to build, improve, or enable major experiments. This includes projects that require underground locations to suppress background signals, particularly for rare-event searches.

What are the main particle astrophysics topics covered by this opportunity?

On the particle astrophysics side, the scope includes studies of ultra high energy particles reaching Earth from space, including ultra high energy cosmic rays, gamma rays, and neutrinos. It also includes research on transient astrophysical events such as gamma ray bursts, as well as solar neutrino research and neutrino measurements tied to underground detectors and reactor sources.

Does the program support Dark Matter research?

Yes. A major component of the program is the search for rare or extremely weak signals that could reveal new physics, including direct detection searches for Dark Matter. The program also recognizes the importance of low-background environments, which often means underground experimental setups.

Does the program support neutrinoless double beta decay experiments?

Yes. The PNA program includes experiments aimed at observing neutrinoless double beta decay, described as a key test of whether neutrinos are their own antiparticles and an important probe of lepton number violation.

What are the main nuclear astrophysics topics covered by this opportunity?

On the nuclear astrophysics side, the program funds accelerator-based studies that replicate or constrain nuclear reactions occurring in stars and stellar explosions. These projects typically address stellar processes, nucleosynthesis pathways (how the elements are made), and reaction networks relevant to cosmology and early-universe conditions.

What is meant by "accelerator-based studies" in the nuclear astrophysics context?

In this solicitation, accelerator-based studies refer to laboratory measurements and related theory that provide nuclear data needed for astrophysical models. These efforts help reduce uncertainties in nuclear inputs that are used to interpret astronomical observations.

Does this program fund research and development for major experiments, or only data-taking science?

It supports both. The description emphasizes observational/experimental efforts as well as the research and design work needed to build, improve, or enable major experiments.

Are underground experiments and underground detector design within scope?

Yes. The program explicitly recognizes underground facilities and underground experiment design as part of its supported portfolio, reflecting the central role of low-background environments in Dark Matter searches and rare-decay measurements.

How is this program related to DUSEL?

The solicitation notes that in earlier years the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) program provided research and development funding for experiments requiring deep underground deployment to reduce backgrounds. For the time period referenced, NSF indicated uncertainty about whether similar DUSEL-related funding would be available in FY2010, and stated it would issue a separate announcement if that kind of opportunity reopened.

Does the PNA program depend on DUSEL funding being available?

No. Even with uncertainty about DUSEL-related funding in the referenced period, the PNA program itself includes underground experiments and underground experiment design in its supported portfolio.

How many awards did NSF expect to make under this opportunity?

NSF expected to make about 60 awards under this opportunity.

What was the estimated total funding level for this opportunity?

The estimated total program funding level was about $15,000,000.

What were the minimum and maximum award sizes listed?

Individual award sizes were listed with a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $2,000,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning proposers are not obligated to provide non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation. The program is described as supporting university-led research, while also indicating proposals may be accepted from other organizations depending on the specific rules in the program description.

When were proposals due?

The submission cadence referenced indicates proposals were due on the last Wednesday in September on an annual basis. Historical target dates were listed (for example, September 30, 2009, and a prior September date).

Is PD 09 1643 still active?

No. The record indicates this opportunity was later replaced by PD 11 1643 and was archived on June 23, 2011. Applicants should look for the current version of the solicitation to confirm up-to-date requirements and instructions.

What happens if a proposal budget is very large?

If a proposal requests more than $1,000,000 per year, the Program Officer may apply additional scrutiny by conducting a cost review prior to the annual PNA panel meeting. This signals that very large budgets should be especially well justified with clear cost realism and a strong explanation of why the resources are necessary for the proposed scope.

Does the additional cost review mean large proposals are discouraged?

No. The notice does not say they are discouraged. It indicates that exceptionally large budgets may receive additional scrutiny and therefore should be especially well justified.

Where should applicants go for technical help with the electronic announcement or linking?

The notice points applicants to NSF/Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for technical issues with the electronic announcement and linking.

Where are the full solicitation details and instructions found?

The notice implies that the full solicitation text and detailed instructions are hosted through NSF's standard program description channels, with technical support handled through NSF/Grants.gov support.