2500397
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
NRAO Band Study for 7/8 GHz Spectrum Pipeline/Sprint Efforts
The Presidential Memorandum (PM) titled Modernizing United States Spectrum Policy and Establishing a National Spectrum Strategy directed that the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) include a roadmap to make spectrum resources available to continue U.S. leadership in advanced wireless technologies and services.
It calls for a “pipeline” of spectrum bands to support commercial innovation and agencies’ needs now and into the future.
The NSS identified five spectrum bands for near-term, in-depth study to determine whether the bands may be repurposed for expanded or more efficient uses.
Studies will be conducted by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for the 7125-8400 MHz band (referred to as the 7/8 GHz band study) and the lower 3 GHz band, including 3.1-3.45 GHz as the primary band for repurposing, to determine astronomy spectrum use and impacts from repurposing.
NSF’s effort under the National Spectrum Strategy Spectrum Pipeline will include study work in the 3 and 7/8 GHz range to ascertain spectrum use by radio astronomical observatories through automated spectrum monitors combined with observing records, as well as possible impacts from band use modifications for broadband communications through direct studies.
As developers and operators of the most sensitive radio astronomy receivers in the U.S., the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) has the necessary skillsets and instrumentation to carry out the required band studies.
These studies will inform further efforts, such as spectrum repurposing through auctions, to enable ground-based astronomy to continue work in the affected frequency ranges.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
The Presidential Memorandum (PM) titled Modernizing United States Spectrum Policy and Establishing a National Spectrum Strategy directed that the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) include a roadmap to make spectrum resources available to continue U.S. leadership in advanced wireless technologies and services.
It calls for a “pipeline” of spectrum bands to support commercial innovation and agencies’ needs now and into the future.
The NSS identified five spectrum bands for near-term, in-depth study to determine whether the bands may be repurposed for expanded or more efficient uses.
Studies will be conducted by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for the 7125-8400 MHz band (referred to as the 7/8 GHz band study) and the lower 3 GHz band, including 3.1-3.45 GHz as the primary band for repurposing, to determine astronomy spectrum use and impacts from repurposing.
NSF’s effort under the National Spectrum Strategy Spectrum Pipeline will include study work in the 3 and 7/8 GHz range to ascertain spectrum use by radio astronomical observatories through automated spectrum monitors combined with observing records, as well as possible impacts from band use modifications for broadband communications through direct studies.
As developers and operators of the most sensitive radio astronomy receivers in the U.S., the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) has the necessary skillsets and instrumentation to carry out the required band studies.
These studies will inform further efforts, such as spectrum repurposing through auctions, to enable ground-based astronomy to continue work in the affected frequency ranges.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Vienna,
Virginia
22180-7300
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
NOT APPLICABLE
Associated Universities was awarded
7/8 GHz Spectrum Pipeline Study for National Spectrum Strategy
Cooperative Agreement 2500397
worth $7,584,919
from the Division of Astronomical Sciences in June 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Vienna Virginia United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/10/25
Period of Performance
6/1/25
Start Date
5/31/28
End Date
Funding Split
$7.6M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$7.6M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2500397
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Other
Awarding Office
490302 DIVISION OF ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES
Funding Office
490302 DIVISION OF ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCES
Awardee UEI
NZBMKZMW68N3
Awardee CAGE
0D809
Performance District
VA-11
Senators
Mark Warner
Timothy Kaine
Timothy Kaine
Modified: 7/10/25