Atmospheric System Research (ASR) | DE FOA 0002579

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002579

The Atmospheric System Research (ASR) funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0002579) is a Department of Energy Office of Science grant program run through the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program, specifically within the Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD). It is aimed at advancing atmospheric science in ways that directly improve how well regional and global Earth system models can simulate and predict climate-relevant processes. The core motivation is that clouds, aerosols, precipitation, and radiative transfer strongly shape Earths radiative balance and the hydrological cycle, yet these processes are still major sources of uncertainty in weather and climate projections. ASR focuses on the underlying mechanisms and process-level understanding that are needed to reduce those uncertainties.

This FOA invites grant applications that use observational approaches, data analysis, and/or modeling studies, with a strong emphasis on leveraging DOE-supported observations. A central resource is the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility, which provides extensive atmospheric measurements that can be used to test hypotheses, evaluate model performance, and develop better parameterizations. Projects are expected to connect measurements and analysis to improved scientific understanding and, importantly, to improved representation of key processes in models, since the overall goal is better predictive capability rather than observations alone.

The solicitation highlights four priority research areas. First is aerosol-cloud interactions, covering how aerosols influence cloud formation, brightness, lifetime, and precipitation and how those interactions feed back on climate by changing how much sunlight clouds reflect and how much heat is retained. Second is aerosol processes that affect the cloud life cycle, properties, and/or processes more broadly, which can include aerosol formation, growth, aging, mixing state, removal, and how these characteristics translate into changes in cloud condensation nuclei or ice-nucleating particles that shape cloud microphysics. Third is convective cloud processes, targeting the dynamics and microphysics of convection and thunderstorms and how convection controls precipitation, vertical transport of heat and moisture, and cloud-radiation effects, all of which remain difficult for large-scale models to represent reliably. Fourth is high-latitude atmospheric processes, recognizing that polar and subpolar regions have unique cloud regimes, aerosol environments, and radiative conditions that are critical for Arctic amplification and broader climate feedbacks, and that observations in these regions can be particularly valuable for constraining models.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category (CFDA 81.049). The opportunity was posted by the Department of Energy, Office of Science, with an original closing date of January 11, 2022, and it anticipated around 20 awards. The stated award ceiling is $900,000. Eligibility is listed as Others, with the expectation that applicants consult the FOA instructions for the specific eligibility details and any restrictions.

Overall, ASR is designed to support research that links high-quality atmospheric observations (often from ARM and other BER-supported assets) with analysis and modeling to clarify the processes controlling clouds, aerosols, precipitation, and radiation. The public benefit is framed as improved understanding of the Earth system and reduced uncertainty in climate and hydrologic predictions, which ultimately supports better-informed decisions about energy, environment, and resilience.

• 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 Sep 27, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 11, 2022. (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 $900,000.00 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).

Apply for DE FOA 0002579

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