A -- GLOBAL WATER AND ENERGY CYCLE

Notice Date

August 30, 2000

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code 210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Solicitation Number

NRA-00-OES-07

Point of Contact

Michael Jasinski, Land Surface Hydrology Program Manager, Phone (202) 358-1847, Fax (202) 358-2770, Email mjanisk@hq.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Michael Jasinski (mjanisk@hq.nasa.gov)

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) intends to solicit proposals for global water and energy cycle related research and analysis to explore the connection between weather-related fast dynamical/physical processes that govern energy and water fluxes, and climate responses and feedbacks. Particularly significant is the transformation of water among its three physical states -- vapor, liquid, and ice -- in the atmosphere and at the surface of the Earth. The condensation of water in clouds and snow controls both the albedo and radiation balance of the planet, and the constant renewal of fresh water resources. The objective is to approach, inasmuch as possible, the development of weather systems, cloud microphysics, surface water dynamics, and their role in the water and atmospheric energy cycles as a single integrated problem. This objective includes exploring the response of regional hydrologic regimes (precipitation, evaporation, and surface run-off) to changes in atmospheric general circulation and climate, and the influence of surface hydrology (soil moisture, snow accumulation and soil freezing/thawing) on climate. Specifically, the NRA is intended to advance knowledge and create new capabilities for providing definitive answers to four research questions: ' Is the global cycling of water through the atmosphere accelerating? ' What are the effects of clouds and surface hydrologic processes on climate change? ' How are variations in local weather, precipitation, and water resources related to global climate change? ' To what extent can weather forecasting be improved by new global observations and advances in satellite data assimilation? Thus, the purpose of the NRA is to promote research that (1) aims to improve our understanding of the role of water and energy exchange processes in the global climate system, through ground-based and airborne observations, process studies and/or modeling, global atmospheric/hydrologic modeling, data analysis; and (2) builds on NASA investments, and leverages complementary investments by other US and international agencies, to address the key scientific issues associated with the global hydrologic cycle and its role in the Earth's climate system. Priority will be given to those proposals that illustrate the value of remotely sensed observations of water, in all its phases, in furthering understanding of the global water and energy cycles. Priority will also be given to proposals that collaborate with or otherwise contribute significantly to one or more core NASA modeling and data assimilation activity or activities. Such contributions could, for example, take the form of developing and testing a new parameterization scheme in a NASA model, testing an alternative component model in a coupled model system, validating simulations of water flow and radiant energy against observations, or using model output to identify significant climatic trends. Field measurements may be proposed inasmuch as they enhance the cross-disciplinary aspects and constitute a limited augmentation of already planned efforts that are consistent with the objectives of this solicitation. The NRA will be available electronically on September 18, 2000, via the Internet at the Earth Science Enterprise ''Home Page'' at '' http://www.earth.nasa.gov '' under ''Research Opportunities''. A paper copy will be available to those who do not have access to Internet by calling (202) 358-3552 and leaving a voice mail message. Participation in the program is open to all categories of domestic and foreign organizations, including educational institutions, industry, non-profit institutions, NASA centers and other US agencies. In accordance with NASA policy all investigations by foreign participants will be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, i.e., investigators whose home institution is outside the United States cannot be funded by NASA. This announcement will be open through November 20, 2000, and proposals may be submitted at any time throughout that period.

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=04#NRA-00-OES-07)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000901/ASOL005.HTM (D-243 SN491655)