National Science Foundation (NSF)

Proposals are solicited to manage and operate the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) through cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). NAIC is a center of excellence for multidisciplinary research and education, as enabled by the world-class observational facilities of the Arecibo Observatory (AO). Visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10562/nsf10562.htm

NSF's Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) program is a broad-based, community-initiated, upper atmospheric research program. The goal is to understand the behavior of atmospheric regions from the middle atmosphere upward through the thermosphere and ionosphere into the exosphere in terms of coupling, energetics, chemistry, and dynamics on regional and global scales. These processes are related to the sources of perturbations that propagate upward from the lower atmosphere as well as to solar radiation and particle inputs from above. Visit http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5503&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39

NSF's CubeSat-Based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research program addresses a lack of essential observations from space that is currently a major limiting factor in space weather research. Recent advances in sensor and spacecraft technologies make it feasible to obtain key measurements from low-cost, small satellite missions. A particularly promising aspect of this development is the prospect for obtaining multi-point observations in space that are critical for addressing many outstanding problems in space science. Visit http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503172&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39

The National Science Foundation invites applications for the Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE) program to advance research at the frontiers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning, education, and evaluation, and to provide the foundational knowledge necessary to improve STEM teaching and learning at all educational levels and in all settings. Up to 50 awards will be provided from a total pool of $27 million for FY10. Eligibility is unrestricted. Applications are due Nov 12. More information regarding NSF 09-601is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09601/nsf09601.htm

NSF's Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences provides Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants for individual investigators and collaborative groups for observational, theoretical, laboratory and archival data studies in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics, including but not limited to: Planetary Astronomy; Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics; Galactic Astronomy; and Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology.

Visit http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13630&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39

Note: Effective January 5, 2009, new NSF grants and funding amendments to existing NSF grants will begin referencing and are subject to the Grant General Conditions (GC-1) dated 01/09. The complete text of the GC-1 (as well as other NSF grant policy issuances) is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/

The NSF invites research proposals to support small satellite science missions to advance space weather and atmospheric research. The CubeSat-based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research program also seeks to obtain multi-point observations in space that are critical for addressing many outstanding problems in space science. NSF anticipates making as much as $900,000 available for 1-2 awards annually. Eligibility is open. Full proposals are due May 11, 2009 and Mar. 10 annually thereafter. More information regarding NSF-09-523 is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09523/nsf09523.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

NSF's Directorate for Geosciences funds Research in Support of the National Space Weather Program (NSWP). Research goals focus on the mitigation of the adverse effects of space weather by providing timely, accurate, and reliable space environment observations, specifications and forecasts. Approximately $1.5 million is available. Visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07520/nsf07520.htm

NSF is soliciting proposals for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. This program provides awards to enhance the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) instructional and outreach programs at Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan Native-serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. Support is available for the implementation of comprehensive institutional approaches to strengthen STEM teaching and learning in ways that improve access to, retention within, and graduation from STEM programs. Approximately $2 million in FY 2009 funding is expected to be available for 4-14 awards. Eligible for award are the aforementioned types of institutions. Principal investigators should be chief academic officers or other senior academic officers responsible for oversight and management of curriculum and instructional policies for applicant institutions. Proposals may be submitted at any time for planning projects; proposals are due Oct. 20, annually, for implementation projects. For more information, visit

NSF's Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences offers Partnerships in Astronomy & Astrophysics Research and Education (PAARE) to enhance diversity in astronomy and astrophysics research and education by stimulating the development of formal, potentially long-term, collaborative research and education relationships between minority-serving colleges and universities and the NSF-supported facilities, projects or faculty members at research institutions (including private observatories). Visit