Signals in the Soil | 19 556

Signals in the Soil (NSF) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the "Signals in the Soil" grant opportunity?

Signals in the Soil is a National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant opportunity focused on improving how soils are observed and modeled. The program is built around the idea that soils are living, dynamic systems that are still poorly measured and predicted at the scales and timeframes needed for real-world management.

2) Why is NSF focusing on soils in this program?

The opportunity highlights that soils underpin food systems, ecosystems, infrastructure, water quality, and climate processes, yet they are often observed intermittently and modeled with limitations. Because soils affect nutrient cycling, carbon storage and release, contaminant filtering, water movement, and atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide and methane, improving soil sensing and prediction is linked to human health, economic stability, and long-term sustainability.

3) What core problem is the program trying to solve?

The solicitation targets the gap between how important soils are and how poorly they are observed and modeled at the necessary scales and speeds. Soils can take thousands of years to form but can degrade quickly, so the program aims to support research that enables more continuous, dynamic monitoring and prediction of near-surface soil processes.

4) What does the program mean by "convergent research"?

Convergent research, as described in the opportunity, means tightly integrated cross-disciplinary projects rather than separate efforts conducted in isolation. Teams are expected to integrate expertise across areas such as engineering, geosciences, biology, and computer/network systems to create combined sensing-and-modeling solutions.

5) What types of projects does Signals in the Soil want to fund?

The program is oriented toward advancing sensor systems and modeling for dynamic, near-surface soil processes. It emphasizes projects that unite novel sensing (including multi-modality sensing systems) with modeling and cyberinfrastructure capable of using rich, high-frequency, multi-parameter data streams.

6) Is this program only about building soil sensors?

No. While novel sensors and sensing systems are a major focus, the opportunity also stresses end-to-end systems: sensing, data transmission, data management, and model integration. It highlights wireless communications and networked systems to reliably move data from field deployments to researchers and decision-makers.

7) What is meant by "signals" from soils?

In context, "signals" refers to measurable indicators of soil conditions and processes across chemical, biological, and physical domains. The program emphasizes capturing and interpreting these signals using sensors and models to better understand and predict soil behavior.

8) What kinds of measurements or parameters are emphasized?

The solicitation emphasizes collecting a broad set of soil parameters across chemical, biological, and physical domains, rather than focusing narrowly on a single measurement type. It also stresses multi-parameter, high-frequency data streams that can feed next-generation soil models.

9) What are "multi-modality" sensing systems in this context?

Multi-modality sensing systems are described as sensing platforms that use multiple sensing approaches (modalities) together, enabling richer characterization of soil processes than single-measurement tools. The program indicates these systems should be deployable across different environments.

10) What role does modeling play in this program?

Modeling is a central component. The opportunity calls for next-generation soil models that can use rich, high-frequency, multi-parameter data. This includes improved computational approaches and cyberinfrastructure so that models can ingest, interpret, and leverage continuous streams from networked soil sensing systems.

11) Why does the opportunity emphasize cyberinfrastructure and communications?

The program frames success as more than putting better probes in the ground. It emphasizes wireless communications and cyber systems capabilities so data can reliably move from field deployments into data management systems and modeling workflows, ultimately supporting usable understanding and prediction for researchers and decision-makers.

12) Which agencies and NSF units are involved?

NSF is the lead agency. The opportunity draws involvement from NSF Directorates and divisions including Engineering (ENG), Geosciences (GEO), Biological Sciences (BIO) through the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (BIO/IOS), and Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) through the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CISE/CNS).

13) Are there partner organizations outside NSF?

Yes. The solicitation is conducted in collaboration with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) and multiple United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) councils, including NERC, EPSRC, BBSRC, and STFC.

14) Does the program encourage international collaboration?

Yes. The partnership model described includes collaboration with UKRI councils in the United Kingdom, indicating the program is structured to encourage collaborations that combine resources and strengths across agencies and nations.

15) What is the program trying to achieve in the long run?

The opportunity aims for a step change in how soils are measured and understood by funding teams that can unify sensor innovation, wireless and cyber systems, and advanced modeling into deployable, multi-parameter platforms. The broader vision is to make soil continuously observed and predictable rather than intermittently sampled.

16) What real-world outcomes does the opportunity connect to improved soil sensing and prediction?

The solicitation ties improved soil measurement and prediction to managing agriculture, protecting water and ecosystems, understanding climate-relevant gas fluxes (including carbon dioxide and methane), and safeguarding soil as a natural asset.

17) Does the program mention education and outreach expectations?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly notes the importance of education and outreach to grow a workforce capable of addressing complex soil challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. It indicates proposals are expected to contribute to longer-term community capacity, not only near-term technical outputs.

18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is 19-556.

19) When was this funding opportunity record created and posted?

The record was created on February 13, 2019.

20) What was the original closing date listed?

The original closing date listed in the record is May 15, 2019.

21) How many awards were anticipated?

The listing anticipated approximately 10 awards.

22) What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is shown as 0 in the summary record. This typically indicates that a specific ceiling is not provided in the summary, and that applicants should rely on the full solicitation for budget expectations and limits.

23) What type of grant program is this?

The record describes it as a discretionary grant program in the science and technology / research and development category.

24) Who is eligible to apply based on the record summary?

Eligibility is summarized broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." This implies applicants would need to consult the full program announcement for precise institutional eligibility and any special requirements, especially given the multi-agency and international collaboration context described.

25) What makes a proposal aligned with this opportunity based on the description?

Based on the information provided, alignment means proposing an integrated approach that combines (1) novel sensors or sensing systems (ideally multi-modality and deployable across environments), (2) communications and networked systems to move data reliably, and (3) advanced models and cyberinfrastructure that can use high-frequency, multi-parameter soil data streams, along with an emphasis on community-building through education and outreach.