Summary of Federal Project Grant Award

Cornell University's Office of Sponsored Programs received a $875,000 project grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science under the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program (CFDA 81.049), awarded July 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for December 31, 2026. The project, titled "Effects of Oxygen on Recalcitrant Carbon in Soil Aggregates: Implication for Hot Spots and Moments of Nitrous Oxide Production, Consumption, and Flux," will be conducted at Cornell's facilities in Ithaca, New York. This research addresses fundamental scientific questions regarding soil biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas dynamics, contributing to the DOE Office of Science's broad portfolio of basic research spanning nearly 29,000 researchers across over 300 institutions nationwide.

The project focuses on investigating how oxygen availability influences the decomposition of resistant organic carbon within soil aggregate structures and the resulting implications for nitrous oxide (N₂O) cycling—including production, consumption, and atmospheric flux. This fundamental research aligns with the Office of Science's mission to advance scientific understanding of natural phenomena with applications to energy, environmental challenges, and national priorities. The 18-month research initiative represents a typical award size within the program's portfolio, which generally ranges from $250,000 to $1.5 million for individual project grants in basic science disciplines.