Distributed Array of Small Instruments | 24 538

Opportunity Information: Apply for 24 538

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI) grant opportunity supports work in solar and space physics aimed at improving the kinds of measurements scientists need to answer major questions about how the Sun-Earth system works. The central motivation is that many key processes in near-Earth space and the upper atmosphere vary quickly and over short distances, so progress increasingly depends on measurements with both high spatial resolution (many locations sampled at once) and high temporal resolution (fast sampling over time). DASI is meant to enable those capabilities by supporting arrays of relatively small instruments that can be distributed across regions to observe local, regional, and global-scale phenomena in a coordinated way.

The solicitation is organized into two formal tracks. The first track focuses on developing new or improved instrumentation specifically intended for future deployment in distributed arrays. This includes designing, building, testing, and preparing instruments so they can be replicated and fielded in multiple locations as part of a network. The second track focuses on the deployment and operation of existing instruments in distributed arrays, meaning proposals can emphasize installing instruments at multiple sites, integrating them into an array, running them reliably, and delivering data products that enable new science. In both tracks, the underlying goal is to produce observations that help explain coupled processes across scales in solar and space physics, from small-scale local dynamics to larger regional patterns and global responses.

DASI places strong emphasis on scientific merit, but it also explicitly expects a well-developed plan for student training and for involving a diverse workforce. In practice, that means proposals are expected to go beyond the technical and scientific objectives and explain how students will be meaningfully engaged (for example through hands-on instrument development, field deployment, operations, data processing, or analysis) and how participation will be broadened across backgrounds and institutions. The solicitation highlights workforce development as a core component alongside the science and engineering.

Eligibility is limited to specific types of U.S.-based organizations. Proposals may be submitted by U.S.-based for-profit organizations, including small businesses, as long as they have strong scientific or engineering research or education capabilities and an innovation focus. Non-profit, non-academic organizations are also eligible, such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar U.S. organizations directly tied to education or research activities. U.S. institutions of higher education are eligible, including both two-year and four-year accredited colleges (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States, submitting on behalf of their faculty. Federally recognized Tribal Nations may also apply, defined as American Indian or Alaska Native tribes, bands, nations, pueblos, villages, or communities recognized under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.

There is a specific instruction for U.S. colleges and universities that have international branch campuses: if any project funds would flow to an international branch campus (including through subawards or consultant arrangements), the proposal must clearly explain the benefits of doing that work at the international campus and justify why those activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus. This is essentially a requirement to demonstrate that offshore performance is necessary and directly advantageous to the project.

From the opportunity metadata, this is an NSF discretionary grant in the Science and Technology / Research and Development activity category, listed under CFDA 47.050. The funding opportunity title is "Distributed Array of Small Instruments" and the opportunity number is 24-538. The original closing date is May 15, 2024. The anticipated number of awards is four, and the award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distributed Array of Small Instruments" 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 2024-02-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-15. (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 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 24 538

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