Education Programs in Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions and organizations seeking to develop or enhance education programs in atmospheric and geospace sciences. Eligible applicants typically include colleges and universities, research institutions, nonprofits focused on science education, and in some cases K-12 school districts or consortia. The program supports a range of educational activities—from curriculum development and teacher professional development to student research opportunities and public outreach. Geographic scope is national; applicants must be based in the United States. Supported activities include creating innovative educational materials, establishing mentorship programs, conducting faculty workshops, developing laboratory experiences, and initiatives to broaden participation in atmospheric and geospace sciences among underrepresented groups.
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Program description
AGSEducation supports efforts to integrateatmospheric and geospaceresearch and education via two main program areas, which are:
1) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program. This program provides funding to Universities andResearch Laboratories that allows them to offer summer internships to undergraduate students who would like to participate inatmospheric and/or geospaceresearch efforts. Proposals may be submitted annually (August deadline).
2)AGS Postdoctoral Fellowships:AGS awards 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships to highly qualified investigators within 3 years of obtaining their PhD to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. While the postdoc program is funded by core programs, the AGS Education program supports the cost of professional development for the fellows.
Additionally, this program will support efforts related to education and professional development for undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs within the NSF Atmospheric and Geospace communities.Proposals to the AGS Education program are acceptedby invitation only. Please contact theeducation program director if you intend to submit a proposal to this program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative (typically 15 pages maximum) describing educational goals, methods, and evaluation
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches of senior project personnel
- Letters of commitment or support from partners, institutions, or schools
- Curriculum materials or educational resources (if applicable; may be included in appendix)
- Letters of support from department chairs or institutional leadership
- Data management plan describing how project data will be preserved and shared
- Current and pending support information for all key project staff
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.050 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$640,746,599
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$399,999,980
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$220,735,035
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$106,638,563
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$82,550,071
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$74,280,323
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$73,335,203
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$68,622,497
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$64,462,832
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$63,916,877
Top States by Funding
- TX 4 awards $689.8M
- MA 16 awards $667.5M
- OR 5 awards $452.4M
- CA 12 awards $286.7M
- NY 7 awards $217.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.050). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,009,920,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,013,630,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $374,350 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this NSF education grant?
Typically, U.S.-based colleges, universities, research institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with educational missions are eligible. Some programs also welcome K-12 school districts, informal science organizations, and science museums. Check the specific solicitation for any restrictions.
What is the application deadline?
This program operates on a rolling deadline, meaning applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Check NSF's website for specific target review dates and submission windows to plan your timeline.
What kinds of educational activities does this program support?
Common activities include curriculum development, teacher professional development workshops, undergraduate research experiences, student internships, outreach programs, laboratory improvement, and initiatives to increase diversity in atmospheric and geospace sciences.
How competitive is this funding?
NSF grants are highly competitive. Success typically requires a strong track record in education, clear learning objectives, evidence of institutional commitment, and plans to disseminate results broadly. Collaboration with other institutions can strengthen competitiveness.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary widely depending on project scope and duration. NSF education programs typically range from $50,000 to over $1 million, though smaller pilot projects and larger comprehensive initiatives exist. Consult the current solicitation for guidance on budget ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project with NSF priorities such as broadening participation, STEM literacy, and addressing workforce needs in atmospheric or geospace sciences.
- Include strong partnerships with schools, universities, or informal science organizations to demonstrate broader impact and reach.
- Develop clear, measurable learning outcomes and evaluation plans that show how you will assess program effectiveness and student learning gains.
- Demonstrate institutional support with letters of commitment and evidence that your organization will sustain the program beyond the grant period.
- Propose dissemination strategies such as publications, conference presentations, or open-access curriculum resources to maximize the project's national impact.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they lack clear measurable outcomes or rely on poorly designed evaluation plans that don't demonstrate student learning or program impact. Another frequent issue is insufficient attention to broadening participation and diversity—NSF emphasizes inclusive education, so applications should explain how the project will engage underrepresented groups in atmospheric and geospace sciences. Additionally, proposals often underestimate the importance of sustainability and fail to show how the program will continue after federal funding ends.
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- ROLLING NSF STEM K-12 — U.S. National Science Foundation
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