Abstract collage of science-related imagery

Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM)

Important information about NSF’s implementation of the revised 2 CFR

NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website. These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Synopsis

The objective of Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM) is to ensure the access of the scientific community to portions of the radio spectrum that are needed for research purposes. ESM does this by representing the interests of the NSF and the scientific community in the field of telecommunications management and regulation, by:

  • Participating in the establishment of radio regulations, operating procedures and technical standards related to private sector uses of the radio spectrum, by providing input into Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings, directly or through NTIA; and

Other ESM activities consist of:

  • Maintaining liaison with the Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the US National Committee of the International Radio Science Union (USNC-URSI) and the Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) of the European Science Foundation (ESF);
  • Assisting with national and international registration of radio telescopes. In the U.S, use of the spectrum by radio telescopes may be registered with the NTIA and entered in the Government Master File (GMF). Internationally, radio telescopes may be registered with the ITU. For details, see: Registration of radio telescopes;
  • Obtaining spectrum support for NSF radio communications systems and radio research instruments, such as, e.g. weather radars, when required. For spectrum certification and frequency assignments, please contact the Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Unit at the NSF by e-mail at esm@nsf.gov; and
  • Working with the appropriate Study Groups (SGs), Working Parties (WPs) and Task Groups (TGs) of the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), such as SG 7 (Science Services) and WP 7D (Radio astronomy); chairing the corresponding U.S. group (US WP7D) within the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee - Radio (ITAC-R), chartered by the Department of State; and serving on U.S. delegations to appropriate ITU-R meetings to ensure that technical and regulatory requirements of the radio astronomy community are adequately represented.  US WP 7D activities and documentation may be accessed through the US SG7 website.

 

Additional Information:

JASON Report

National Science Foundation's Future Spectrum Requirements

 

NSF Workshop on the Shielded Zone of the Moon: Presentations

Program contacts

For Spectrum Certification of Major Systems and Frequency Assignments please contact the Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Unit at esm@nsf.gov.

Jonathan V. Williams
jonwilli@nsf.gov (703) 292-2455 MPS/AST
John M. Chapin
jchapin@nsf.gov (703) 292-8222 MPS/AST
Bevin A. VanderLey
bevander@nsf.gov (703) 292-2428 MPS/AST

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