The Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) Program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences through the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, supports community-guided upper atmospheric research. Its primary aim is to advance understanding of the behavior and dynamics of atmospheric regions from the middle atmosphere upward into the thermosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere. The CEDAR program emphasizes studies that integrate coupling, energetics, dynamics, chemistry, and comparative aeronomy across geographic and planetary scales.

Research funded by CEDAR explores interactions within Earth’s upper atmosphere as well as responses to solar and lower atmospheric processes. The scope includes the use of ground-based and space-based observational platforms and theoretical and computational modeling approaches. Novel methodologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), open data, and open science practices, are encouraged to foster innovative insights. The program also supports comparative aeronomy of other planetary atmospheres when they relate directly to Earth's upper atmosphere.

The program is highly committed to supporting the participation of students and early career scientists. It also strongly promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), encouraging applications from institutions serving underrepresented populations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other minority-serving institutions.

Proposals may be submitted by U.S.-based institutions of higher education, nonprofit non-academic organizations, for-profit organizations including small businesses, and federally recognized Tribal Nations. There is no limit on the number of proposals an organization may submit; however, an individual may only participate in two proposals per target date as a principal investigator (PI), co-PI, or via sub-award.

Applications must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov. Proposals must adhere to the guidelines in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Full proposals must begin with the title “CEDAR:” and follow the standard NSF review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.

The next full proposal target date is March 5, 2025. This date will be the annual deadline going forward, occurring on the first Wednesday in March each year. Awards are anticipated to be standard or continuing grants, with an estimated 10 to 15 grants funded annually. Each grant typically provides around $150,000 per year, with total program funding estimated at $3,000,000 annually, subject to fund availability. The program allows for project durations ranging from one to five years, though three years is typical. Voluntary cost-sharing is not allowed, and no matching requirements are in place.

Specific program contacts include Shikha Raizada (sraizada@nsf.gov, 703-292-8963), Tai-Yin Huang (thuang@nsf.gov, 703-292-8519), and Mangala Sharma (msharma@nsf.gov, 703-292-4773). Applicants are encouraged to reach out for additional guidance or clarification.