Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002391
The Atmospheric System Research (ASR) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002391) is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research (BER) solicitation within the Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD). It is a discretionary, science and technology research grant program aimed at improving understanding of atmospheric processes that control Earths radiative balance and the hydrological cycle, with a strong emphasis on the specific cloud, aerosol, precipitation, and radiative transfer mechanisms that currently limit the accuracy of regional and global Earth system models.
This funding call invites proposals that combine observations, data analysis, and/or modeling, with the expectation that applicants will make direct use of BER-supported observational assets. A central resource is the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility, but the FOA also treats observations from the broader ASR program, AmeriFlux, and the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) as eligible BER-supported observational inputs. The overall goal is not simply to analyze datasets, but to translate insights into improved process understanding and better representation of those processes in models used for weather and climate prediction.
The FOA identifies five main topical areas for proposed research. First is aerosol-cloud interactions, focusing on how aerosols influence cloud formation, lifetime, microphysics, and precipitation, and how those feedbacks affect radiation and water cycling. Second is aerosol processes more broadly, which can include aerosol lifecycle, chemical and physical transformations, sources and sinks, and how aerosols interact with radiation and clouds. Third is warm boundary layer processes, targeting the structure and evolution of the lower atmosphere in warm conditions and the turbulence, mixing, and coupling that influence clouds and surface-atmosphere exchanges. Fourth is Arctic atmospheric processes, specifically leveraging observations from the COMBLE (Cold-Air Outbreaks in the Marine Boundary Layer Experiment) and MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) campaigns, where cold-air outbreaks, mixed-phase clouds, sea ice interactions, and polar meteorology create persistent modeling challenges. Fifth is convective cloud processes, drawing on measurements from the CACTI (Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions) field campaign, which is designed to improve understanding of convection in complex terrain settings and the associated aerosol and cloud interactions.
From an awards standpoint, the mechanism is a grant, with an award ceiling of $850,000 and an expected total of about 20 awards under this call. The opportunity was posted on October 21, 2020, with an original application closing date of January 27, 2021. Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," indicating that applicant type may be broader than only universities and may require checking the full FOA language for specifics.
In practical terms, this opportunity is best suited to research teams that can connect detailed atmospheric observations to model development or evaluation, especially where improved parameterizations or process representations can be demonstrated. The stated public benefit is explicit: projects funded under this FOA are intended to advance understanding of the Earth system in ways that ultimately improve predictive capability and scientific knowledge relevant to climate and weather.Apply for DE FOA 0002391
- The Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Atmospheric System Research (ASR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 21, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $850,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Atmospheric System Research (ASR) Grant (DE-FOA-0002391)
What is the Atmospheric System Research (ASR) funding opportunity?
The Atmospheric System Research (ASR) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002391) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research (BER) solicitation within the Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD). It supports discretionary science and technology research aimed at improving understanding of atmospheric processes that control Earth's radiative balance and the hydrological cycle, with emphasis on clouds, aerosols, precipitation, and radiative transfer mechanisms that limit the accuracy of Earth system models.
Which DOE office and program are sponsoring this solicitation?
This solicitation is sponsored by the DOE Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research (BER), within the Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD), under the Atmospheric System Research (ASR) program.
What is the main scientific purpose of this grant program?
The main purpose is to improve process-level understanding of atmospheric phenomena that shape Earth's radiation budget and water cycle, and to translate that understanding into better representation of these processes in models used for regional and global weather and climate prediction.
What kinds of research approaches are encouraged?
Proposals are invited that combine observations, data analysis, and/or modeling. The call expects applicants to make direct use of BER-supported observational assets, and to go beyond dataset analysis by connecting findings to improved process understanding and model representation.
Is using DOE/BER observational assets required or strongly expected?
Direct use of BER-supported observational assets is explicitly expected. A central resource named in the opportunity is the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility, and the FOA also treats observations from the broader ASR program, AmeriFlux, and the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) as eligible BER-supported observational inputs.
Which observational resources are specifically named as eligible inputs?
The opportunity identifies the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility as a central resource, and also lists observations from the broader ASR program, AmeriFlux, and the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) as eligible BER-supported observational inputs.
What is the difference between simply analyzing data and what this FOA is trying to fund?
The FOA states that the goal is not simply to analyze datasets. Instead, projects should translate observational and analytical insights into improved process understanding and improved representation of those processes in models used for weather and climate prediction (for example, through model development, evaluation, or improved parameterizations).
What are the main topical research areas supported by this FOA?
The FOA identifies five topical areas: (1) aerosol-cloud interactions, (2) aerosol processes, (3) warm boundary layer processes, (4) Arctic atmospheric processes, and (5) convective cloud processes.
What is included under the aerosol-cloud interactions topic?
This topic focuses on how aerosols influence cloud formation, cloud lifetime, microphysics, and precipitation, and how those feedbacks affect radiation and the water cycle.
What is included under the aerosol processes topic?
This topic can include aerosol lifecycle, chemical and physical transformations, sources and sinks, and how aerosols interact with radiation and clouds.
What does the FOA mean by warm boundary layer processes?
Warm boundary layer processes target the structure and evolution of the lower atmosphere in warm conditions, including turbulence, mixing, and coupling that influence clouds and surface-atmosphere exchanges.
What does the FOA prioritize within Arctic atmospheric processes?
The Arctic topic is specifically described as leveraging observations from the COMBLE (Cold-Air Outbreaks in the Marine Boundary Layer Experiment) and MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) campaigns. The FOA highlights challenges such as cold-air outbreaks, mixed-phase clouds, sea ice interactions, and polar meteorology that create persistent modeling difficulties.
What does the FOA prioritize within convective cloud processes?
This topic draws on measurements from the CACTI (Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions) field campaign, which is designed to improve understanding of convection in complex terrain settings and the associated aerosol and cloud interactions.
What type of award mechanism is used?
The award mechanism for this opportunity is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed for this FOA is $850,000.
How many awards does DOE expect to make under this call?
The FOA indicates an expected total of about 20 awards.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on October 21, 2020.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date listed is January 27, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." This suggests the applicant type may be broader than only universities, but the specific eligible applicant categories would need to be confirmed in the full FOA language referenced by that eligibility note.
What kinds of teams or projects are a good fit for this opportunity?
This opportunity is best suited to research teams that can connect detailed atmospheric observations to model development or model evaluation, particularly where projects can demonstrate improved parameterizations or improved process representations relevant to weather and climate models.
What public benefit does DOE highlight for this FOA?
The FOA states a clear public benefit: funded projects are intended to advance understanding of the Earth system in ways that improve predictive capability and scientific knowledge relevant to climate and weather.
Does the FOA emphasize any particular scientific gaps or limitations?
Yes. The FOA emphasizes cloud, aerosol, precipitation, and radiative transfer mechanisms that currently limit the accuracy of regional and global Earth system models, and it seeks research that helps reduce those limitations through better process understanding and modeling improvements.
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