Closed · 12-536 · CFDA 47.050 · Discretionary
CubeSat-based Science Missions for Geospace and Atmospheric Research
Federal grant opportunity posted by U.S. National Science Foundation, cataloged on Grants.gov.
- $300K-$900K
- Award range
- Closed
- Status
- -
- Close date
- 2
- Expected awards
The verdict
CubeSat-based Science Missions for Geospace and Atmospheric Research is a closed discretionary listing from U.S. National Science Foundation that offered $300,000 -- $900,000 across 2 expected awards. Future funding cycles may be published under the same CFDA number. PlainGrants indexes 1,338 other opportunities from U.S. National Science Foundation.
- $300K-$900K
- award range
- Closed
- application status
- 2
- expected awards
- 47.050
- CFDA program
Archived opportunity record
CubeSat-based Science Missions for Geospace a… is closed. The parent program page for CFDA 47.050 is the reliable place to catch re-announcements. U.S. National Science Foundation still indexes 1,338 other opportunities here.
According to Grants.gov (extract vintage 2026-08-10), this record reflects the officially published listing. See methodology.
Deadline tracker
Application window closed
This listing is no longer accepting applications
Est. Total Funding
$600,000
Expected Awards
2
Instrument
Grant
Description
Lack of essential observations from space is currently a major limiting factor in many areas of geospace and atmospheric research. Recent advances in sensor and spacecraft technologies make it feasible to obtain key measurements from low-cost, small satellite missions. A particularly promising aspect of this development is the prospect for obtaining multi-point observations in space that are critical for addressing many outstanding problems in space and atmospheric sciences. Space-based measurements from small satellites also have great potential to advance discovery and understanding in geospace and atmospheric sciences in many other ways. To take full advantage of these developments, NSF is soliciting research proposals centered on small satellite missions.The overarching goal of the program is to support the development, construction, launch, operation, and data analysis of small satellite science missions to advance geospace and atmospheric research. Equally important, it will provide essential opportunities to train the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers.To facilitate launch of the satellites as secondary payloads on existing missions, the focus of the program is on CubeSat-based satellites. Launch of the satellites will mainly be through the standardized CubeSat deployment system, the Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). Launch of the P-PODS will be as auxiliary payloads on DOD, NASA, or commercial launches. This will be arranged after selection and is not part of this solicitation. This solicitation covers proposals for science missions to include satellite development, construction, testing and operation as well as data distribution and scientific analysis.
Catch-all / unrestricted eligibility mark · 12-536
Grants.gov marks CubeSat-based Science Missions for Geospace a… with a catch-all / unrestricted eligibility code (Unrestricted / see official listing). Read the official announcement text for the real applicant filter — the code alone is not a door list. The extract does not mark applicant cost-sharing as required. Instrument: Grant. Funding-activity code maps to Science and Technology / R&D (ST). This eligibility-code string dominates the U.S. National Science Foundation book (614 peers, 46% of 1,339).
- Code 99
- Unrestricted / see official listing
Codes are Grants.gov eligibility category values from the extract vintage 2026-08-10. Confirm the full eligibility statement on the official listing or the Grants.gov eligibility reference.
Official Listing on Grants.gov
View full details, application forms, and submission instructions.
Parent Grant Program
Geosciences
National Science Foundation
Agency Contact
NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
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What to do next
CubeSat-based Science Missions for Geospace a… is closed; use the parent program and agency catalog for the next funding cycle.
- Parent CFDA 47.050 may publish future NOFOs under the same assistance listing. Open program
- Geosciences indexes 212 Grants.gov listings in this extract. Program profile
- U.S. National Science Foundation lists 1,338 other indexed opportunities on PlainGrants. Agency catalog
Opportunity deadlines and eligibility change on Grants.gov; PlainGrants mirrors the extract and is not the submission system.
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Grants.gov and SAM.gov and is for informational purposes only. Opportunity details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Always verify current information directly on Grants.gov before applying. PlainGrants is not affiliated with any federal agency.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
| Publisher | PlainGrants |
| Sources | the SAM.gov Assistance Listings and Grants.gov |