Geospace Cluster
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers studying Earth's near-space environment and Sun-Earth system interactions. Universities, research institutions, and individual researchers with geospace science expertise can apply. Eligible projects include fundamental research, technology development, and educational activities related to aeronomy, magnetospheric physics, solar-terrestrial physics, and space weather. Researchers may use ground-based or space-based facilities, data centers, theoretical modeling, laboratory work, and observational data analyses. There are no specified geographic restrictions, but specific targeted research programs (CEDAR, GEM) may have institutional or PI restrictions.
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Program description
The Geospace Cluster (GC) in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) supports fundamental and solutions-oriented research, technology development and education related to the Earth’s near-space environment (including the mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, exosphere, magnetosphere and radiation belts) and the inner heliosphere and solar atmosphere. The GC advances knowledge of the Sun–Earth system, including how various parts of the system are coupled through dynamical, electrodynamical and chemical processes. The GC supports research on the societal impacts of these processes including space weather and upper atmosphere climate change, with the aim of increasing resilience to such natural hazards. The GC supports research that uses ground-based or space-based observational facilities and instruments as well as data centers and a broad range of theoretical, modeling, observational, data analyses and laboratory activities.
General research topics that are supported by the GC include, but are not limited to:
- Aeronomy, including studies of wave dynamics, ionization, recombination, chemical reaction, photo emission and transport of energy and momentum within and between the mesosphere, thermosphere and ionosphere of the Earth; how this global system is coupled to the stratosphere below and magnetosphere above; and the plasma physics of phenomena manifested in the coupled ionosphere-magnetosphere system.
- Magnetospheric physics, including studies of the magnetosphere, or the cavity carved out of the solar wind by the Earth’s magnetic field, its energization by the solar wind and population by solar and ionospheric sources; waves and instabilities in such natural plasmas; the origin of planetary electric fields; the origin of geomagnetic storms and substorms; and the coupling among the radiation belts, magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere.
- Solar-terrestrial physics, including how energy generation and eruptive processes occur in the solar atmosphere and how energy and momentum are transported within the Sun-Earth system; solar dynamo, solar activity cycle and magnetic flux emergence; eruptive activity including solar flares and coronal mass ejections; solar wind heating, solar energetic particles and interactions with cosmic rays; solar wind/magnetosphere boundary; and helioseismology.
- Space weather and space climate, including solar or terrestrial drivers of space weather; observations and modeling of the integrative geospace system that could lead to better predictive capabilities of the time-varying space environment; and characterization of space weather impacts on critical infrastructure and technological systems.
Proposals to the GC are welcome at any time. However, the following solicitations in support of specific geospace science and community efforts have target dates or deadlines. They also may have PI and/or Institution restrictions. Please refer to the solicitation documents for further details:
- The Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) targeted research program aims to understand the behavior of the Earth’s 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.
- The Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) targeted research program supports investigations of the physics of the Earth’s magnetosphere and the coupling of the magnetosphere to the atmosphere and solar wind, including for making accurate predictions of the geospace environment.
- The Solar, Heliospheric, and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) targeted research program supports enhanced understanding of and predictive capabilities for the processes by which energy in the form of magnetic fields and particles are produced by the Sun and/or accelerated in interplanetary space and on the mechanisms by which these fields and particles are transported to the Earth through the inner heliosphere.
- The Faculty Development in geoSpace Science (FDSS) solicitation integrates topics in geospace science, including solar and space physics and space weather research, into natural sciences, engineering or related departments at U.S. institutions of higher education. The solicitation also stimulates the development of undergraduate or graduate programs or curricula to train the next generation of leaders in geospace science.
The Geospace Cluster participates in other AGS, GEO and NSF programs and solicitations including but not limited to:
- Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI)
- ECosystem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering (ECLIPSE)
AGS encourages and inspires scientific leaders by investing in the atmospheric and geospace sciences, enhancing educational opportunities and experiences and supporting faculty and researchers at all career stages. The Division expects that proposers will integrate education, outreach and dissemination activities into their research plans in compliance with NSF Broader Impacts Merit Review criteria.
AGS invites proposals that include plans for workforce development, educational and outreach activities, open science initiatives and efforts to broaden participation and encourage diverse talent in the atmosphere and geospace sciences. Furthermore, AGS encourages proposals from all institutions, including Minority Serving Institutions, Emerging Research Institutions and institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions.
The Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) provides the instructions for submitting proposals to AGS. Additionally, Chapter II.F of the PAPPG defines “Other Types of Proposals,” including community-building proposals such as Conference, Travel or Planning Proposals and special categories of proposals, such as Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER). Proposals that are not compliant with the PAPPG will be returned without review.
The following sections highlight specific NSF-, GEO-, or AGS-wide solicitations that may be relevant to the AGS Community. Please be aware that solicitations are frequently updated, so make sure that you are looking at the most recent version.
Career Development
AGS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (AGS-PRF): The AGS-PRF program supports researchers (also known as Fellows) for up to 24 months at the institution of their choice. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential and provide them with research experience that will broaden perspectives, facilitate interdisciplinary interactions, and establish them in leadership positions within the AGS community.
Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER): The CAREER program supports early career (assistant professor-level) faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances for their department or organization. Awards are 5 years long and must integrate research and education.
Mid-Career Advancement (MCA): The MCA program provides opportunities for scientists and engineers at the associate professor rank (or equivalent) to substantively enhance and advance their research program through synergistic partnerships.
Capacity Development
EMpowering BRoader Academic Capacity and Education (EMBRACE): The EMBRACE program supports research and educational efforts at “non-R1” institutions, including non-R1 minority serving institutions (MSIs), two-year colleges (2YCs), primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), and emerging research (ERIs) and master’s level institutions.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Excellence in Research (HBCU – EiR): The HBCU-EiR program supports research at public and private historically Black colleges and universities to strengthen research capacity and promote engagement with NSF.
Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (RUI and ROA): RUI awards support PUI faculty in research that engages them in their professional field(s), build capacity for research at their home institution, and support the integration of research and undergraduate education. ROA awards similarly support PUI faculty research, but these awards typically allow faculty to work as visiting scientists at research-intensive organizations where they collaborate with other NSF-supported investigators.
Instrumentation and Facilities
Major Research Instrumentation: The MRI program supports requests for up to $4 million from NSF for the development or acquisition of multi-user research instruments that are critical to the advancement of science and engineering.
Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1: The MSRI-1 program supports the design and implementation of research infrastructure–including equipment, cyberinfrastructure, large-scale datasets and personnel–whose total project costs exceed the NSF Major Research Instrumentation program limit but are under $20 million.
Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-2: The MSRI-2 program supports the implementation of research infrastructure–including equipment, cyberinfrastructure, large-scale datasets and personnel–whose total project costs fall between $20 million and $100 million.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (CV) for all senior personnel
- NSF Cover Sheet (SF-424)
- Letters of Commitment (if applicable)
- Data Management Plan
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
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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 can apply for the Geospace Cluster grant?
Universities, research institutions, and individual researchers with geospace science expertise are eligible. Some targeted programs like CEDAR and GEM may have PI or institutional restrictions.
What is the deadline?
Proposals are welcome at any time on a rolling basis. However, targeted research programs within the cluster have specific deadlines and target dates.
What research activities are supported?
Fundamental and applied research in aeronomy, magnetospheric physics, solar-terrestrial physics, and space weather. Projects using observational facilities, data centers, modeling, laboratory work, and theoretical studies are all eligible.
What makes a competitive application?
Strong proposals demonstrate novel scientific questions, clear methodology, feasibility with available resources, and alignment with geospace science priorities. Interdisciplinary approaches and broader impacts strengthen competitiveness.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. Cost-sharing is not required for this grant, though institutional support for research infrastructure may strengthen proposals.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly identify which geospace science topic (aeronomy, magnetosphere, solar-terrestrial, or space weather) your research addresses. Specificity matters to reviewers.
- Explain how your project advances understanding of Sun-Earth system coupling. Reviewers favor work with clear geospace relevance.
- Include realistic timelines and budgets. Demonstrate that your team has the expertise and infrastructure to complete the work.
- Address broader impacts explicitly. Show how your research benefits society, education, or workforce development beyond the scientific community.
- Check for targeted program deadlines (CEDAR, GEM) before submitting. These programs may offer better fit or faster funding for certain research areas.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research without clear geospace relevance or Sun-Earth coupling focus. Submitting vague methodology or unrealistic budgets/timelines for the proposed scope. Failing to address broader impacts and societal benefit of the research.
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