Facility and Instrumentation Request Process | 21 611

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 611

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) is the required proposal pathway for researchers and educators who need to use specialized atmospheric observing instruments and facilities supported by NSF's Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Program within the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS). In practical terms, FIRP is not just a typical research grant competition; it is the mechanism the atmospheric science community must use when a project depends on access to FARE-sponsored assets, including capabilities made available through the Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) and the Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) programs. Any research proposal or education and outreach proposal that relies on these FARE-supported resources has to be submitted through FIRP and follow its specific submission instructions.

A central feature of FIRP is that it is designed to evaluate proposals on multiple dimensions at the same time. Proposals are reviewed for NSF's standard criteria, intellectual merit and broader impacts, while also being assessed for project feasibility in terms of whether the requested facility or instrument can realistically support the work as proposed (for example, scheduling, operational readiness, field logistics, and other practical constraints). This parallel review structure reflects the reality that facility-based science often rises or falls on implementation details, not only on the underlying research questions.

FIRP offers three distinct submission tracks depending on what is being requested and why. Track 1 focuses on education and outreach projects that require the use of FARE-sponsored instruments or facilities, supporting efforts that build learning, training, or public engagement around atmospheric observations. Track 2 is intended for a single facility request, generally meaning a project that needs access to one specific FARE-supported facility or instrument capability rather than a broader, multi-asset deployment. Track 3 covers field campaigns, which typically involve more complex and coordinated observational efforts, often spanning multiple platforms, sites, or extended time windows, and therefore require additional planning and operational coordination.

While eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of applicant organization, subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation), the opportunity notes that funding preference is given to proposals submitted to programs within AGS in NSF's Geosciences Directorate. For applicants who plan to submit a proposal to a program outside of AGS, including NSF-wide solicitations, Directorate-wide solicitations, or initiatives associated with NSF's "10 Big Ideas," the solicitation strongly encourages early communication with the FARE program director. The purpose of that contact is to align expectations around timelines, the review pathway, and the budget needed for the requested use of FARE assets, since facility access often has lead times and cost structures that differ from standard research awards.

From the opportunity record, FIRP is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity under CFDA 47.050, with an expected number of around 15 awards. The award ceiling is listed as zero, which typically indicates that a single fixed maximum is not specified in the summary fields and that award sizes may vary based on the facility needs and the scope of the proposed work. The solicitation was created on September 2, 2021, with a listed original closing date of January 17, 2022, and it distinguishes deadlines by track, including a separate emphasis on Track 3 (Field Campaign) proposals versus Track 1 and Track 2 submissions. Overall, the key takeaway is that if a project needs FARE-sponsored atmospheric instruments or facilities, FIRP is the mandatory entry point, and proposals must be framed not only around scientific or educational goals but also around a clear, workable plan for using the requested facility resources.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Facility and Instrumentation Request Process" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 02, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 17, 2022 Track 3 (Field Campaign) Proposals Track 3 (Field Campaign) Proposals Track 1 (Education amp Outreach) amp Track 2 (Single Facility Request). (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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