The Atmosphere Cluster (AC) in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) supports fundamental studies of atmospheric processes from the Earth's surface to the stratosphere, across timescales ranging from nanoseconds to millennia. Core areas of research include chemical, physical, and dynamical processes in the atmosphere that impact clouds, weather, climate, air quality, and the water cycle. Research methods include modeling, collecting observations, conducting laboratory and field experiments, and advancing analytical measurement techniques.

General research topics supported by the AC include, but are not limited to:

Chemical processes and mechanisms that explain how atmospheric gases and aerosols form, react, transform, and interact with the surrounding environment.

Processes and dynamics that govern climate and hydroclimate, including mean state, variability, response to external forcing, and their role in establishing a global energy and water balance; coupled atmosphere-ocean interactions, land-atmosphere interactions, and interactions among clouds, atmospheric circulation, and climate.

Observational and modeling studies of past climate and its drivers, as well as studies that develop and synthesize paleoclimate proxies and records.

Physics and dynamics of atmospheric motions on all scales, from planetary to microscale, including the general circulation of the troposphere and stratosphere, planetary waves, synoptic and mesoscale systems, convection, gravity waves, turbulence, and planetary boundary layer dynamics.

Physical meteorology, including aerosol, cloud, and precipitation physics, as well as atmospheric electricity.

Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, including processes, predictability, and future changes in severe and hazardous weather.

Proposals to the AC are accepted at any time, but specific atmospheric science solicitations have deadlines. These solicitations may have principal investigator (PI) or institution restrictions; proposers should refer to the solicitation documents for details. Notable solicitations include:

The Paleo Perspectives on Present and Projected Climate (P4CLIMATE) solicitation supports observational and modeling studies that provide paleo perspectives on themes such as past regional and seasonal climate and past climate forcing, sensitivity, and feedbacks.

The Facility and Instrumentation Request Process (FIRP) solicitation outlines the requirements for submitting proposals that use AGS-supported facilities and instrumentation, managed by the Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) program.

AGS promotes leadership in atmospheric and geospace sciences by enhancing educational opportunities and supporting faculty and researchers at all career stages. The division expects that proposals will integrate education, outreach, and dissemination activities, in alignment with NSF Broader Impacts Merit Review criteria. Proposals that include plans for workforce development, open science initiatives, and broader participation are encouraged, particularly those from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Emerging Research Institutions, and institutions in Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) jurisdictions.

The Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) provides the instructions for submitting proposals to AGS. Chapter II.F of the PAPPG defines "Other Types of Proposals," which include community-building proposals such as Conference, Travel, or Planning Proposals and special categories such as Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER). Proposals that do not comply with the PAPPG will be returned without review.

Career development opportunities available through AGS include:

AGS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (AGS-PRF): Supports researchers for up to 24 months at the institution of their choice, providing research experience that broadens perspectives and facilitates interdisciplinary interactions.

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER): Supports early career faculty in integrating research and education over five years.

Mid-Career Advancement (MCA): Provides opportunities for scientists and engineers at the associate professor rank to enhance and advance their research programs through synergistic partnerships.

Capacity development programs include:

EMpowering BRoader Academic Capacity and Education (EMBRACE): Supports research and educational efforts at "non-R1" institutions, including MSIs, two-year colleges, primarily undergraduate institutions, and emerging research institutions.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU - EiR): Supports research at public and private historically Black colleges and universities to strengthen research capacity.

Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (RUI and ROA): Supports PUI faculty in research that builds capacity at their institutions and integrates research with undergraduate education. ROA awards also allow faculty to collaborate with other NSF-supported investigators as visiting scientists.

The Atmosphere Cluster also supports various instrumentation and facilities programs:

Major Research Instrumentation (MRI): Supports requests for up to $4 million for the development or acquisition of multi-user research instruments.

Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 (MSRI-1): Supports the design and implementation of research infrastructure costing more than the MRI program limit but under $20 million.

Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-2 (MSRI-2): Supports implementation of research infrastructure with costs between $20 million and $100 million.

Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov, in compliance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Specific instructions for each system apply, and proposers should ensure that their proposals meet all requirements before submission.