The Faculty Development in geoSpace Science (FDSS) grant, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Directorate for Geosciences and the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, is designed to support the establishment of new tenure-track faculty positions in geospace science disciplines at U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs). This initiative aims to strengthen geospace science research, education, and workforce development by integrating solar and space physics, space weather research, and related fields into academic programs. The program seeks to enhance long-term investments in geospace science at a broad range of institutions, including minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and emerging research institutions (ERIs).

The FDSS program supports newly recruited tenure-track faculty members for a period of up to five years, with a maximum total award of $1,500,000. The funding covers faculty salary, benefits, and professional development to promote the advancement of geospace science within natural sciences, engineering, or related departments. The program consists of two tracks: Track 1 is open to all eligible IHEs, while Track 2 is designated for MSIs and ERIs to encourage broader participation and diversity in geospace science education and research. Institutions that have previously received FDSS awards are ineligible for this opportunity.

Proposals must be submitted by U.S.-accredited two- or four-year IHEs that offer or plan to offer bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields. The institution must have the capacity to grant tenure status to faculty members. The principal investigator (PI) must be someone with the authority to implement the FDSS program, such as a dean, provost, director of a university research institute, department chair, or senior tenured faculty member. Each institution may submit only one proposal per target date, and collaborative proposals or subawards are not allowed.

Applications must include a clear description of how the tenure-track faculty position will be integrated into the institution’s research and education programs. Proposals should outline plans for curriculum development, research priorities aligned with NSF AGS Geospace programs, student training, and faculty support structures. The hiring process must be inclusive, encouraging applications from underrepresented and underserved communities. Institutions must commit to providing sufficient resources and a supportive environment to ensure the success of the new faculty member. Metrics for evaluating the success of the hire and the program's impact on geospace science development at the institution must also be included.

Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov following NSF's Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. The next full proposal deadline is March 3, 2025, with subsequent cycles occurring every other year. The estimated program budget is $6,000,000, with approximately $3,000,000 allocated to each track. NSF anticipates making two to four awards per cycle. Institutions must notify NSF once a candidate is hired, and the faculty member must be added as a co-PI to the grant. The FDSS award must be acknowledged in all publications and presentations.

For further information, interested applicants may contact Mangala Sharma, the Program Director, at (703) 292-4773 or via email at IntegrativeGeospace@nsf.gov. Additional details, including proposal preparation guidelines, are available on the NSF website.