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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF CEDAR Research Grants (FON: 25-510; CFDA: 47.050)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary research grant opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) program. The Funding Opportunity Number is 25-510 and the CFDA number is 47.050.

What is the CEDAR program focused on?

CEDAR is focused on improving scientific understanding of the Earth's upper atmosphere, broadly spanning from the middle atmosphere up through the thermosphere and ionosphere and extending into the exosphere. The program emphasizes understanding how these regions behave, how they exchange energy and momentum, and how their chemistry and dynamics evolve across regional and global scales.

What does CEDAR mean by "coupling" and "energetics"?

Within this opportunity, "coupling" refers to the physical connections between atmospheric layers and the processes that transmit influence from one region to another. "Energetics" refers to how energy is deposited, transferred, and transformed within the upper atmosphere, including how energy and momentum exchanges drive variability and change.

What are the main scientific themes emphasized by this solicitation?

The solicitation highlights two major themes: (1) "bottom-up" coupling, where perturbations originating in the lower atmosphere propagate upward and affect the upper atmosphere, and (2) "top-down" forcing, where solar radiation and particle inputs deposit energy from above and drive upper-atmospheric responses.

What is "bottom-up" coupling in the context of CEDAR?

"Bottom-up" coupling refers to processes driven by perturbations that begin in the lower atmosphere and propagate upward, reshaping conditions in the upper atmosphere. The emphasis is on understanding the mechanisms by which lower-atmosphere variability influences the middle and upper atmospheric regions.

What is "top-down" forcing in the context of CEDAR?

"Top-down" forcing refers to influences entering the upper atmosphere from above, particularly solar radiation and particle inputs. These inputs can deposit energy into the upper atmosphere and trigger complex chemical and dynamical responses.

What types of research approaches are supported by CEDAR?

CEDAR-supported activities can include observational, theoretical, and modeling approaches. This can range from collecting new measurements to developing theory, running numerical simulations, or conducting integrated model-data studies aimed at explaining and predicting upper-atmosphere behavior.

Does the program support observational research? If so, what kinds?

Yes. On the observational side, CEDAR supports data collection from both ground-based and space-based platforms. Supported observations can include instruments and systems that monitor upper-atmospheric structure, composition, and dynamics.

Does the program support modeling and theory work?

Yes. Proposals may focus on theory development, numerical modeling, or integrated model-data studies. The goal is to improve explanatory and predictive understanding of upper-atmosphere behavior and variability.

Is the program limited to Earth science, or can it include other planets?

While CEDAR is strongly Earth-focused, it also supports studies of the upper atmospheres of other planets in our solar system when those studies advance understanding of common processes and comparative aeronomy.

Does this opportunity encourage the use of AI or machine learning?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly encourages modern and forward-looking research practices, including the legitimate use of AI and machine learning tools where scientifically appropriate. Examples mentioned include pattern discovery, data assimilation, feature detection in large observational archives, uncertainty quantification, and accelerating computational models.

What does "legitimate use" of AI and machine learning mean here?

Based on the solicitation language, AI/ML use is encouraged when it is scientifically appropriate and supports the research objectives (for example, improving analysis of large datasets, enhancing modeling workflows, or quantifying uncertainty), rather than being included without a clear scientific role.

Are open data and open science practices important for this solicitation?

Yes. The opportunity highlights open data and open science practices and signals that strong proposals should plan for responsible data sharing, reproducibility, and broader community use of resulting datasets or software when feasible.

Who is eligible to apply for this NSF CEDAR grant?

Eligibility is limited to specific U.S.-based applicant types. Eligible applicants include: U.S.-based for-profit organizations (including small businesses) with strong scientific or engineering research or education capabilities and an innovation-driven mission; eligible non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies tied to education or research; accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (two-year and four-year institutions, including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States applying on behalf of faculty; and federally recognized Tribal Nations as defined under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.

Can a U.S.-based for-profit company apply?

Yes. U.S.-based for-profit organizations, including small businesses, may submit proposals as long as they have strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and have an innovation-driven mission.

Can non-profit organizations apply if they are not universities?

Yes. 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.

Can community colleges or two-year institutions apply?

Yes. 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.

Are Tribal Nations eligible applicants?

Yes. Federally recognized Tribal Nations are eligible, including American Indian or Alaska Native tribes, bands, nations, pueblos, villages, or communities recognized under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.

What is the requirement if a proposal involves an international branch campus of a U.S. institution?

If any funding would flow to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution of higher education (including through subawards or consultant arrangements), the proposal must clearly explain why the work needs to be performed at the international branch campus, what benefits that location provides, and why the work cannot be performed at the U.S. campus instead.

Does the international branch campus requirement apply only to direct funding?

No. The requirement applies if any funding would flow to an international branch campus, including via subawards or consultant arrangements, not only direct awards.

What is the application deadline (closing date) for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed for this opportunity is 2025-03-05.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this solicitation?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $750,000.

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

NSF expects to make about 15 awards.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2024-11-14.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What kinds of outcomes is CEDAR trying to achieve through funded projects?

Based on the program description, CEDAR aims to support research that improves explanatory and predictive understanding of upper-atmosphere behavior, including mechanisms of variability, energy and momentum exchange, and the evolution of chemistry and dynamics across both regional and global scales.