Research Aims at Improving Accuracy of Earth System Models

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a plan to provide $14.6 million for new studies of atmospheric processes aimed at improving the accuracy of today’s Earth system models. Studies are expected to rely on data gathered by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility, a DOE Office of Science user facility and the world’s leading facility for ground- and air-based observation of atmospheric processes.

“ARM provides capabilities unmatched anywhere in the world for the observation of atmospheric processes,” said Dr. Chris Fall, Director of DOE’s Office of Science. “By combining observation, data analysis, and modeling, these projects will deepen our understanding of these complex processes and improve the accuracy and predictive power of Earth system models.”

Research will focus on interactions between clouds and aerosols (tiny particles that contribute to cloud formation), atmospheric processes in the Artic, and studies of the warm boundary layer, or the layer of atmosphere closest to ground-level, among other topics.

Applications will be open to universities, industry, federal agencies, and nonprofit research institutions. 

The Department anticipates that $14.6 million will be available for this program in Fiscal Year 2021, pending congressional appropriations. Funding is to be awarded competitively, on the basis of peer review, and is expected to be in the form of three-year grants with total award amounts ranging from $200,000 to $850,000, beginning in the current fiscal year.

The DOE Funding Opportunity Announcements, issued by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) within the Department’s Office of Science, is to be found on the BER funding opportunities page.