Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for universities, research institutions, and instrument/facility providers supporting atmospheric sciences research. The LAOF program funds multi-user national facilities by invitation only; contact the program director before submitting. The CIF program invites proposals from instrument and facility providers to make equipment available for community research use. Both programs require NSF sponsorship and focus on geophysical phenomena research through specialized facilities and instrumentation.
Geographic scope is national. Proposals must show commitment to providing community access to facilities or instruments. Equipment must serve multiple researchers.
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Program description
To facilitate fundamental research in the atmospheric sciences, the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) supports state-of-the-art instruments and facilities through the Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Program. The FARE Program includes the Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) and the Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF).
Lower Atmospheric Observing Facilities
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)Lower Atmospheric Observing Facilities (LAOF) Program oversees a portfolio of multi-user national facilities that are sponsored by NSF for use by the geosciences research community. Program management resides within AGS in the NCAR and Facilities Section (NFS) which provides a single point for coordination of planning and resources.
The LAOF program enables geoscience research through the provision of specialized facilities, instrumentation, and field support services necessary to carry out the scientific field work associated with investigations of a wide range of geophysical phenomena. The program is actively involved in oversight of LAOF facilities and decisions about the acquisition, operation, maintenance, upgrading and replacement of these facilities based on input from the scientific community. LAOF funding supports both the planning for scientific field programs (e.g., experimental design, operational plans, logistical support) and the deployment of NSF-sponsored facilities.
Proposals to the LAOF program are acceptedby invitation only. Please contact the FARE program director if you intend to submit a proposal to this program.
Community Instrumentation and Facilities (CIF)
The CIF program provides the NSF-sponsored atmospheric sciences research community with access to specialized instrumentation for field and laboratory-based studies.The program requests proposals from instrument and facility providers who will make their equipment available for community use through an NSF-defined request process.Support will be provided for limited technician time, minor upgrades, and travel for outreach.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG proposal format
- Project narrative
- Budget with justification
- Current and pending support documentation
- Facility/instrument operational plan
- Community access procedures
Program contact
- 👤 National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4261
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
-
$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 can apply to FARE programs?
LAOF is by invitation only—contact the program director first. CIF accepts proposals from instrument and facility providers offering equipment for community research use.
What activities are supported?
LAOF funds facility planning, field program deployment, and operational support. CIF supports technician time, equipment upgrades, and outreach travel.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for either program.
What is the application timeline?
LAOF operates by invitation. CIF uses rolling review, so check NSF deadlines regularly for submission windows.
Can I get equipment funding?
CIF funds instrument acquisition and minor upgrades. LAOF focuses on facility operations and field support, not direct equipment purchase.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the FARE program director early if interested in LAOF to discuss invitation eligibility and timeline.
- For CIF, demonstrate how your facility will serve multiple research groups and the broader community.
- Show a clear request process for community access to your instruments or facilities.
- Include plans for technician support to help external users operate the equipment.
- Emphasize how your facility advances fundamental atmospheric sciences research nationally.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying to LAOF without prior invitation or program director contact. Proposing single-user equipment instead of multi-user community facilities. Vague operational plans for external user access or inadequate staffing for community support.
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