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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Particle Astrophysics (PA) Grant (PD 13-1643)

1) What is the NSF Particle Astrophysics (PA) grant opportunity (PD 13-1643)?

It is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity within the Division of Physics that supports university-led particle astrophysics research. The program emphasizes particle-physics methods used to study the Universe in non-accelerator settings (for example, using cosmic, underground, solar, or reactor particle sources rather than particle accelerators).

2) What is the main scientific purpose of this program?

The program supports work that links the physics of fundamental particles to large-scale cosmological questions. It targets research that helps address foundational questions about what the Universe is made of and how it works, including the origins of mass, whether fundamental forces can be unified, how the Universe began and will evolve, and the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and possible extra dimensions.

3) Where does Particle Astrophysics fit within NSF's particle-physics portfolio?

NSF describes four complementary programs across particle physics: two theory-focused programs (Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics and Theoretical Particle Astrophysics/Cosmology) and two experiment-focused programs (Experimental Elementary Particle Physics for accelerator-based work, and Experimental Particle Astrophysics for non-accelerator experiments). Particle Astrophysics (PA) is the experiment-focused program for non-accelerator particle astrophysics.

4) What kinds of experiments does the PA program emphasize?

The PA program emphasizes experimental and instrumentation-oriented efforts that probe cosmic and underground particle phenomena. This often involves sensitive detectors, long-duration measurements, and specialized facilities such as deep underground laboratories.

5) Does this program fund accelerator-based particle physics experiments?

The description indicates this PA program targets non-accelerator experiments. Accelerator-based work is described as being under the separate Experimental Elementary Particle Physics program.

6) What research topics are explicitly within scope for this opportunity?

The scope is broad within particle astrophysics, and NSF highlights support for: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, gamma rays, and neutrinos arriving at Earth; solar neutrino research; underground neutrino experiments; reactor neutrino physics; neutrino mass measurements; direct and indirect searches for dark matter; searches for neutrinoless double beta decay; and particle-physics approaches to cosmology and dark energy that constrain the content and evolution of the Universe.

7) Are detector development and instrumentation projects supported?

Yes. The opportunity recognizes research and development tied to underground facilities and advanced detector technologies that enable particle astrophysics measurements, indicating that instrumentation and related R&D are part of the program's interests.

8) Does the program support research involving deep underground laboratories?

Yes. The description notes that particle astrophysics experiments often require specialized facilities such as deep underground laboratories and that R&D tied to underground facilities is recognized as important.

9) What are examples of "ultra-high-energy particles" mentioned in the scope?

NSF specifically mentions ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, gamma rays, and neutrinos arriving at Earth from beyond the atmosphere.

10) Does the program support neutrino-related research?

Yes. The scope includes solar neutrino research, underground neutrino experiments, reactor neutrino physics, neutrino mass measurements, and neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.

11) Why is neutrinoless double beta decay specifically called out?

The description characterizes it as a key test of whether neutrinos are their own antiparticles and as relevant to understanding how neutrino mass arises.

12) Does the program fund dark matter research?

Yes. Both direct and indirect searches for dark matter are listed as major emphasis areas.

13) Does the program include cosmology and dark energy research?

Yes. The scope includes research in cosmology and dark energy where particle-physics approaches can constrain the content and evolution of the Universe.

14) What is the administering agency for this opportunity?

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

15) What is the CFDA listing associated with this program?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary NSF grant program under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences CFDA listing 47.049.

16) Is cost sharing required?

No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing requirement.

17) How much total funding and how many awards were anticipated in the archived notice?

The archived notice estimated a total program funding level of about $15,000,000 and an expectation of roughly 60 awards.

18) What is the typical award size range described for this opportunity?

The notice describes typical award sizes ranging from a $50,000 floor to a $2,000,000 ceiling.

19) Are very large budget requests allowed, and do they receive special review?

Large requests are allowed, but the announcement signals additional scrutiny for very large budgets. Specifically, proposals requesting more than $1,000,000 per year may, at the program officer's discretion, undergo an additional cost review before the annual Particle Astrophysics panel meets.

20) What does the additional cost review for proposals over $1,000,000 per year mean in practice?

Based on the notice, it means ambitious, high-budget experimental efforts may need more detailed budget justification and may be subject to an extra financial review step prior to panel discussion, depending on the program officer's decision.

21) When were proposals typically due?

Proposal timing was structured around annual target dates, described as the last Wednesday in September and the last Wednesday in October, with references to dates set through PHY Dear Colleague Letters.

22) Is this Funding Opportunity Number still active?

No. The posting referenced here was later replaced by PD 14-1643 and ultimately archived on August 20, 2014. The archived notice still reflects the core purpose of the program and the kinds of projects the PA program seeks to fund.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications in the full text of the opportunity.

24) What should applicants do if they run into access or technical issues while working with the announcement?

The notice directs applicants to NSF/Grants.gov support channels for access or technical issues, consistent with standard NSF submission procedures.