Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions | 25 510

Opportunity Information: Apply for 25 510

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering a discretionary research grant opportunity under its Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) program (Funding Opportunity Number: 25 510; CFDA: 47.050). The program is focused on improving scientific understanding of the Earths upper atmosphere, broadly spanning from the middle atmosphere up through the thermosphere and ionosphere and extending into the exosphere. At its core, CEDAR supports work that explains how these atmospheric regions behave, how they exchange energy and momentum, and how their chemistry and dynamics evolve across both regional and global scales.

Research supported by CEDAR centers on how the upper atmosphere responds to influences coming from two directions. One major theme is "bottom-up" coupling, meaning processes driven by perturbations originating in the lower atmosphere that propagate upward and reshape conditions aloft. The second major theme is "top-down" forcing, which involves solar radiation and particle inputs from above that deposit energy into the upper atmosphere and trigger complex responses. Together, these topics reflect the programs emphasis on coupling and energetics, where the goal is not just to measure change, but to understand the physical mechanisms that connect atmospheric layers and drive variability.

CEDAR-funded activities can include observational, theoretical, and modeling approaches. On the observational side, the program supports data collection from both ground-based and space-based platforms, which can include instruments and systems capable of monitoring upper-atmospheric structure, composition, and dynamics. On the analysis side, proposals may focus on theory development, numerical modeling, or integrated model-data studies aimed at explaining and predicting upper-atmosphere behavior. While the program is strongly Earth-focused, it also supports studies of the upper atmospheres of other planets in our solar system when they help advance understanding of common processes and comparative aeronomy.

The solicitation explicitly encourages modern and forward-looking research practices. Proposers are urged to consider novel approaches, including the legitimate use of AI and machine learning tools where they are scientifically appropriate, such as for pattern discovery, data assimilation, feature detection in large observational archives, uncertainty quantification, or accelerating computational models. In addition, the opportunity highlights open data and open science practices, signaling that strong proposals should plan for responsible data sharing, reproducibility, and broader community use of resulting datasets or software when feasible.

Eligibility is limited to specific U.S.-based applicant types. Proposals may be submitted by U.S.-based for-profit organizations, including small businesses, as long as they have strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and an innovation-driven mission. Eligible non-profit, non-academic organizations include independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar U.S. entities directly tied to education or research activities. Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including two-year and four-year institutions such as community colleges, may apply on behalf of their faculty members as long as they have a campus located in the United States. Federally recognized Tribal Nations are also eligible, defined as American Indian or Alaska Native tribes, bands, nations, pueblos, villages, or communities recognized under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.

There is a special requirement for proposals involving an international branch campus of a U.S. institution of higher education. If any funding would flow to an international branch campus, including through subawards or consultant arrangements, the proposal must clearly explain why that work needs to be performed at the international branch campus, what benefits that location provides to the project, and why the work cannot be performed at the U.S. campus instead. This is essentially a justification requirement meant to ensure the international component is necessary and adds clear value.

Key administrative details include an original closing date of 2025-03-05. The award ceiling is listed as $750,000, with NSF expecting to make about 15 awards. The opportunity was created on 2024-11-14, and the funding instrument type is a grant within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 25 510

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