Solar, Heliospheric, and INterplanetary Environment

The Solar, Heliospheric, and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) program, under the NSF Directorate for Geosciences, supports research focused on understanding solar-driven processes that influence geospace and the upper atmosphere. This research aims to improve our understanding of solar activity and how magnetic fields and particles are transported through interplanetary space and into the Earth's environment. Proposals are encouraged to address key areas, including interdisciplinary research that connects different SHINE topics, studies on the Sun's influence on Earth's climate, and the application of machine learning or artificial intelligence to observational and modeling projects. Researchers may use data from various sources, particularly NSF-funded facilities, to further these investigations. The program typically funds 10 to 15 projects annually, with a total annual budget of approximately $3 million. Individual projects can request funding for up to five years, though most awards last for three years. There are no restrictions on who may serve as a principal investigator or on the number of proposals an organization may submit. However, each principal investigator may only participate in two proposals per cycle. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the guidelines set out in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The target deadline for submissions is October 7 annually. For more information, applicants can contact the program officer, Lisa M. Winter, or refer to the SHINE program website for updates on community discussions and workshop topics related to the program.