B.2 Heliophysics Foundational Research

This Heliophysics Foundational Research (HFR) program element supports investigations that advance the fundamental physical understanding of the SunHeliosphere-Planetary system. The emphasis of HFR is on uncovering and characterizing the underlying drivers, couplings, and governing processes that shape heliophysical phenomena across spatial and temporal scales, from the solar interior to planetary environments. HFR is distinguished by its focus on foundational science: research that seeks to reveal first-principle mechanisms, system connectivity, and emergent behavior, rather than to directly develop or optimize predictive or operational capabilities. While outcomes from HFR investigations may inform future prediction frameworks or applied models, the primary objective of this program element is to build a deeper and more coherent physical understanding of the heliophysics system. The HFR program is intended to support forward-looking, high-impact research that is at the forefront of heliophysics science and that motivates and enables future Heliophysics missions, programs, and strategic investments. Investigations supported under HFR are expected to address long-standing knowledge gaps, challenge prevailing assumptions, and establish new conceptual or methodological frameworks for the field. To address these foundational goals of Heliophysics sciences, the HFR program element is soliciting Strategic Science Teams (SSTs) that directly support current strategic needs of NASA Heliophysics.