Facility and Instrumentation Request Process
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
Access NSF-funded atmospheric research facilities and instruments for your project through a straightforward three-track submission process.
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What this is
FIRP is a mechanism for the research community to propose projects requiring access to NSF-sponsored atmospheric research instrumentation and facilities managed through the Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) and Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) programs. Researchers submit proposals through one of three tracks depending on project type, and proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and feasibility. Preference is given to proposals within the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, though projects in other NSF divisions may be considered with prior director approval.
Who can apply
Open to any type of entity (unrestricted eligibility), with preference for proposals submitted to NSF's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences; proposals outside AGS require prior approval from the FARE program director. No geographic restrictions mentioned.
Eligible applicant types
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Full description — from the agency
The Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) solicitation describes the mechanism by which the research community can propose projects that require access to instrumentation and facilities sponsored by the Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Program in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS). FARE provides funding to a variety of organizations to make specialized instrumentation and facilities available to the atmospheric science research community through the Lower Atmosphere Observing Facilities (LAOF) and the Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) programs. FIRP allows for parallel evaluation of intellectual merit and broader impacts along with the feasibility of the proposed project. All proposals to AGS that require the use of FARE-sponsored assets must be submitted through this solicitation. The FIRP solicitation offers three proposal submission tracks based on the type and purpose of the request: Track 1 - Education and Outreach. Track 2 - Single Facility Request. Track 3 - Field Campaigns. Preference for funding will be given to proposals submitted to programs in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) in the Geosciences Directorate (GEO). If you are planning to submit a proposal to a program outside AGS, including NSF-wide or Directorate-wide solicitations, please contact the FARE program director, Shree Mishra at [email protected] to discuss the timelines, review process, and budget request for the use of FARE assets.
Topics: atmospheric research instrumentation · nsf facilities access · field campaign funding · atmospheric science · observing facilities · research equipment
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.