Solar, Heliospheric, and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) is a broad-based research program supporting enhanced understanding of and predictive capabilities for the processes by which energy in the form of magnetic fields and particles are produced by the Sun and/or accelerated in interplanetary space and on the mechanisms by which these fields and particles are transported to the Earth through the inner heliosphere. Broad-based, grass-roots associations such as SHINE have developed to focus community effort on these scientific questions. Proposals are solicited for research directly related to topics under consideration and discussion at community workshops organized by SHINE under focused topic areas indicated in the program description. Information on the current activities of SHINE may be found at the following web site: https://helioshine.org/.
Full Proposal Target Date(s): October 7, 2024; October 7, Annually Thereafter
Topics are solicited in the following three areas:
(1) Inter-disciplinary SHINE science. To spark research connections between SHINE sub-fields, proposals bridging SHINE disciplines such as studies of connections between the low and high corona, helioseismology and the emergence of active regions, and coronal hole boundaries and the solar wind.
(2) Connections of the heliosphere with Earth's climate. This includes understanding how solar variability affects the magnetosphere, the lower atmosphere, and detailed studies of longer term trends between the Sun, terrestrial weather, and Earth's climate.
(3) Modeling and/or observational projects incorporating machine learning/artificial intelligence techniques. Observational data sets may be included from any relevant source/federal agency but are particularly encouraged to include NSF funded observations (e.g., Big Bear Solar Observatory, Expanded Owens Valley Array, Simpson Neutron Monitor, ground-based telescopes).
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 2
Under this solicitation, proposals may be submitted for any funding amount up to $200,000 per year. A maximum duration of five years will be considered in those exceptional cases where the justification and promise are compelling. Typically, SHINE awards are for three years, but proposers may request from one to five years of funding, provided the requested duration is justified. NSF expects to fund approximately 10 to 15 standard or continuing grants annually, depending on the quality of submissions and the availability of funds.
Award dates are anticipated to be made ~6-months after proposal submission.