Education Programs in Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences, through its Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS), administers the Education Programs in Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences. NSF is an independent federal agency established to promote the progress of science, advance national health and welfare, and secure national defense. Within this mission, the AGS Education Programs focus on building research capacity and developing future scientists through integrated education and research opportunities. The program has two main components. The first is the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program, which provides funding to universities and research laboratories. Through this support, institutions can host summer internships that allow undergraduate students to participate in atmospheric and geospace research. These experiences are designed to give students exposure to scientific practices, enhance their technical and research skills, and increase interest in pursuing advanced studies and careers in the atmospheric and geospace sciences. REU proposals may be submitted annually, typically with an August deadline. The second component is the AGS Postdoctoral Fellowships. These awards support highly qualified investigators within three years of earning their PhD. Each fellowship runs for two years and supports an integrated program of independent research and education. While the fellowships themselves are funded by AGS core programs, the AGS Education Program provides additional resources for professional development. This emphasis on professional growth ensures that fellows not only advance their scientific research but also strengthen their capacity as educators and mentors within the geoscience community. Beyond the two core program areas, AGS Education also supports efforts related to education and professional development across the broader atmospheric and geospace science community. This includes activities that enhance the experiences of undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers. Proposals to this component of the program are accepted by invitation only, and prospective applicants are advised to contact the program director before preparing submissions. Applications must be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or, when using Grants.gov, according to the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. The program does not specify a ceiling or floor on award amounts in the public notice, and total program funding is not listed. Similarly, the number of awards and whether any cost-sharing or matching is required is not provided in the available materials. All applicants are required to carefully follow submission guidelines to ensure that their proposals are reviewed. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis for some elements, while specific deadlines such as the REU program cycle occur annually in August. Because proposals for certain activities are by invitation only, potential applicants should initiate contact with the program officer well before preparing a submission. For this program, the designated contact is Amanda S. Adams, who can be reached by email at amadams@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-8521. The NSF headquarters is located at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead, as deadlines and cycles can vary depending on the component of the program and NSF’s annual schedule.