Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences awarded a Project Grant of $681,265 to the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, to establish a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site focused on satellite and ground-based remote sensing. The primary products and services delivered through this award include year-long structured research experiences for undergraduate cohorts from two- and four-year institutions within the City University of New York system, combining hands-on research participation with multidimensional mentoring and academic support systems. Participating undergraduates will engage in cutting-edge research across atmospheric, hydrospheric, biospheric, cryospheric, and lithospheric remote sensing applications while developing professional communication, presentation, and research skills under the guidance of field experts.

The program generates additional educational and community impact by facilitating opportunities for undergraduate research participants to serve as mentors to high school students in the New York City public school system and local community members. Through the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050), which supports fundamental knowledge expansion in atmospheric, earth, and ocean sciences, this REU Site addresses critical workforce development objectives by building a sustainable pipeline of scholars committed to academic excellence and STEM career pursuit while introducing underrepresented populations within the CUNY system to a relatively underdeveloped scientific discipline.