Atmospheric Sciences Mid-Size Infrastructure Opportunity

The Division of Atmospheric Sciences (ATM) recognizes the need for mid-size infrastructure to meet emerging demands of the research community it supports.  For the purposes of this solicitation, mid-size infrastructure includes research equipment costing between $4M and $25M.  Projects to be funded as mid-size infrastructure must have broad community support, and the facility or the data resulting from the facility must be widely used by researchers traditionally supported by ATM. Examples include in situ and remote sensing instrumentation, airborne platforms for research instrumentation, cyberinfrastructure needed to support observations and field programs, and upgrades to existing facilities.  Design, engineering, and prototyping of mid-size infrastructure will be considered for funding only if there is valid justification for why this activity cannot be funded at the program level. 

Selected projects will be funded for one or more years, not to exceed five years.  The development of mid-size infrastructure is intended to be a long-term effort in ATM to phase in high priority science-enabling tools consistent with community needs, ATM goals, and the NSF strategic vision.