Atmospheric System Research | DE FOA 0001845

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is DE-FOA-0001845.

2) Which DOE office is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, through the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER), within the Climate and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD).

3) What program is this funding under?

The funding is offered under the Atmospheric System Research (ASR) program.

4) What is the main scientific focus of the opportunity?

The opportunity focuses on advancing the science needed to better understand and predict how clouds, aerosols, precipitation, and radiative transfer shape Earth's radiative balance and the hydrological cycle.

5) What problem is DOE trying to address with this solicitation?

A central motivation is to address process-level gaps that limit the performance of regional and global climate models, particularly where model physics or parameterizations do not adequately represent important atmospheric processes.

6) What types of projects are expected to be competitive?

Projects are expected to be grounded in observations supported by CESD, with a strong emphasis on leveraging the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) scientific user facility and ASR-supported observations. The solicitation supports applications proposing observational studies, data analysis, and/or modeling work that is tightly connected to these datasets.

7) Is this an observational program, a modeling program, or both?

Both. Applications may propose observational studies, data analysis efforts, and/or modeling work, as long as the work is closely connected to ARM/ASR observations supported by CESD.

8) What role does the ARM user facility play in proposed research?

There is a strong emphasis on using the ARM scientific user facility and ASR-supported observations. In practical terms, DOE is looking for studies that use real-world measurements (often from ARM field sites and campaigns) to test hypotheses, quantify mechanisms, and translate findings into improved representation of atmospheric processes in models.

9) What science themes are highlighted as targets?

The targeted science themes highlighted include specified aerosol processes, high-latitude atmospheric processes, and ice cloud processes, with an overarching goal of improving how models capture these phenomena and their impacts on radiation and precipitation.

10) What is the overarching goal of the research funded by this FOA?

The overarching goal is to improve scientific understanding and translate that understanding into improved model representation of key atmospheric processes, supporting better predictive capability related to climate-relevant radiation and water-cycle outcomes.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly unrestricted, but the FOA includes several important exclusions and participation limits (see related FAQs for details).

12) Which organizations are explicitly not eligible?

The following are described as not eligible to apply under this opportunity:

• Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors
• Certain nonprofit organizations, specifically 501(c)(4) groups that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995
• DOE/NNSA National Laboratories (not eligible as the prime and not eligible even as a subawardee)

13) Can DOE/NNSA National Laboratories participate as team members or subawardees?

No. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories are not eligible to participate as the prime applicant or as a subawardee on a team for this FOA.

14) Are non-domestic (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. Non-domestic organizations are allowed to apply, but DOE notes additional expectations for these applicants.

15) What additional expectations apply to non-domestic applicants?

Non-domestic applicants are advised that successful proposals typically include a clear, detailed justification showing they provide unique skills, abilities, or resources that are not available among domestic (U.S.) organizations. This effectively sets a higher bar for demonstrating why DOE funding should go to an overseas organization.

16) Can an individual (rather than an institution) apply?

Individuals are cautioned that they are unlikely to have the breadth of skills and resources needed. If an individual applies, DOE encourages them to directly explain how they will meet the objectives.

17) Are there limits on how many proposals a researcher can be involved in?

Yes. An individual may participate in no more than two applications total in any senior role (lead PI, co-I, or other senior personnel) under this funding opportunity.

18) Can the same person serve as lead PI on multiple submissions?

No. An individual may serve as lead principal investigator on only one application submitted under this FOA.

19) What kind of grant is this from an administrative standpoint?

This is described as a discretionary grant in the science and technology / research and development category.

20) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.049.

21) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The stated award ceiling is $700,000.

22) When was the opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on November 16, 2017, and it listed an original closing date of February 28, 2018.

23) What kinds of outcomes is DOE looking for from funded projects?

DOE is looking for work that uses measurements (often from ARM sites and campaigns) to test hypotheses, quantify mechanisms, and translate that understanding into improved model physics and/or parameterizations, ultimately improving prediction of radiation and precipitation impacts relevant to climate and the water cycle.

24) Do proposed modeling studies need to connect to observations?

Yes. Modeling work is described as eligible, but it is expected to be tightly connected to CESD-supported observations, especially ARM and ASR-supported datasets.

25) What atmospheric components and processes are explicitly named as being within scope?

The FOA explicitly names clouds, aerosols, precipitation, and radiative transfer, and emphasizes their roles in Earths radiative balance and the hydrological cycle. It also highlights targeted themes including aerosol processes, high-latitude atmospheric processes, and ice cloud processes.