Facility and Instrumentation Request Process
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers proposing atmospheric science projects that require access to specialized facilities and instrumentation. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with academic institutions, research organizations, or educational entities eligible for NSF funding. Proposals must involve use of Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE)-sponsored assets through either Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) or Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) programs.
Proposals may be submitted under one of three tracks: Education and Outreach, Single Facility Requests, or Field Campaigns. Preference is given to proposals within the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS). Proposals outside AGS require prior contact with the FARE program director for timeline and budget approval.
Geographic scope is national, though coordination with NSF program officers is required for multi-directorate submissions.
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Program description
The Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) solicitation describes the mechanism by which the research community can propose projects that require access to instrumentation and facilities sponsored by the Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Program in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS). FARE provides funding to a variety of organizations to make specialized instrumentation and facilities available to the atmospheric science research community through the Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) and the Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) programs. FIRP allows for parallel evaluation of intellectual merit and broader impacts along with the feasibility of the proposed project.
All proposals to AGS that require the use of FARE-sponsored assets must be submitted through this solicitation.
The FIRP solicitation offers three proposal submission tracks based on the type and purpose of the request:
- Track 1 – Education and Outreach.
- Track 2 – Single Facility Request.
- Track 3 – Field Campaigns.
Preference for funding will be given to proposals submitted to programs in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) in the Geosciences Directorate (GEO). If you are planning to submit a proposal to a program outside AGS, including NSF-wide or Directorate-wide solicitations, please contact the FARE program director, Shree Mishra at fare@nsf.gov to discuss the timelines, review process, and budget request for the use of FARE assets.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG-required forms (SF-424, project summary, budget justification)
- Detailed project narrative describing research objectives and facility requirements
- Letters of support or coordination from relevant facility operators
- Broader impacts statement
- References and biographical sketches of key personnel
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
-
$399,999,980
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$220,735,035
-
$106,638,563
-
$82,550,071
-
$74,280,323
-
$73,335,203
-
$68,622,497
-
$64,462,832
-
$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 submit proposals under FIRP?
Academic institutions, research organizations, and educational entities eligible for NSF funding may submit. Researchers must propose projects using FARE-sponsored facilities or instrumentation.
What are the three submission tracks?
Track 1 covers Education and Outreach; Track 2 is for Single Facility Requests; Track 3 addresses Field Campaigns.
Is there a submission deadline?
FIRP operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Proposals can be submitted anytime, though contacting NSF before submission is recommended.
What should proposals emphasize?
Intellectual merit, broader impacts, and project feasibility are evaluated in parallel. Clear justification for facility use is essential.
Do I need cost sharing?
No cost sharing is required for FIRP proposals.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the FARE program director (fare@nsf.gov) before submitting, especially for non-AGS proposals, to confirm timeline and budget expectations.
- Clearly document which FARE-sponsored facility or instrument your research requires and justify the necessity of that resource.
- Frame broader impacts carefully—show how your research benefits the atmospheric science community and advances education or workforce development.
- Submit under the appropriate track (Education/Outreach, Single Facility, or Field Campaign) for clearer evaluation alignment.
- Work closely with the facility operator or manager to ensure your proposed use is technically feasible and realistic.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to contact FARE program director before submission, especially for proposals outside AGS. Not clearly justifying why the specific facility or instrumentation is necessary for the proposed research. Underestimating the importance of broader impacts—NSF evaluates this equally with intellectual merit.
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