Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation for the Astronomical Sciences

The Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation for the Astronomical Sciences (ATI) program is a funding initiative administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), specifically through its Division of Astronomical Sciences within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The NSF serves as the primary federal agency in the United States supporting research and education across all fields of science and engineering. The ATI program plays a critical role in advancing the development of cutting-edge technologies and specialized instrumentation to facilitate and expand ground-based astronomical observations. The purpose of the ATI program is to enable significant advancements in ground-based astronomy and astrophysics by supporting both individual and collaborative research proposals. These projects must aim to create or enhance technologies and instruments that empower the astronomical community to conduct new or significantly improved observations. The program encourages high-risk, high-reward innovation, even at early stages of feasibility. This includes hardware, software, or analytical tools that support observing at challenging wavelengths or introduce novel techniques. Projects must clearly demonstrate relevance to astronomy to be considered and are evaluated on their innovation, scientific impact, and benefit to the broader U.S. astronomical community. Projects may range from feasibility studies to the creation of fully functional instruments and systems such as adaptive optics, high-resolution spectrometers, interferometers, imaging detectors, and advanced telescopic components. The ATI program distinguishes itself from similar NSF programs by focusing on projects that are exploratory in nature and typically smaller in scope, while still having the potential for transformative scientific impact. Routine instrument upgrades or non-innovative applications of commercial equipment are discouraged unless the project shows significant added scientific value. Proposals must be submitted either through Research.gov or Grants.gov, in alignment with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). While no Letters of Intent or preliminary proposals are required, all submissions must comply fully with the relevant PAPPG guidelines. Proposal review will adhere to NSF’s core merit criteria—Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts—and will also incorporate additional ATI-specific evaluation criteria such as innovation, public benefit, and project management. Funded investigators are required to attend an annual Principal Investigators meeting to promote information exchange and community coordination. The total anticipated funding for this program is $8 million annually, with approximately 10 standard or continuing grant awards expected per year, subject to the availability of funds. While there is no cost-sharing requirement, applicants must include travel costs for participation in the annual PI meeting. The ATI program is also open to submissions under NSF-wide initiatives such as Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Computational and Data Enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E), as long as those submissions comply with ATI-specific requirements. Applications are accepted annually during a submission window from October 1 to November 15. Because the program is recurring, interested applicants who miss the current cycle may prepare for the following year’s window. For more information or guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact the program officer, Matthew A. Bershady, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 292-2686. Additional application and reporting requirements follow standard NSF procedures, with annual and final reports submitted via Research.gov. The ATI program represents a strategic investment in the technological capabilities essential for the continued advancement of U.S. ground-based astronomical research.

Proposals must demonstrate clear astronomical relevance and benefit to the broader U.S. community to be competitive.