The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), offers the Education and Broadening Participation in Earth Sciences (EAR EBP) program. This initiative is part of the Directorate for Geosciences and supports a diverse array of educational and research activities aimed at engaging a broad audience in the Earth Sciences field. The program aligns with NSF’s overarching goal of expanding participation and strengthening research and education in geosciences.

The EAR EBP program encompasses four primary funding areas. The first is the Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Teachers, which provides summer research opportunities at academic institutions for undergraduate students and teachers interested in earth sciences. These experiences are designed to immerse participants in hands-on research, fostering interest and developing skills in the discipline.

The second funding category is the EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships. This opportunity is available to highly qualified individuals within two years of earning their PhD, supporting them for two years to undertake independent research and professional development activities. This fellowship encourages early-career researchers to deepen their expertise while contributing to the field of geosciences.

The third category, the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), is tailored to pre-tenure faculty members aiming to integrate their research with educational initiatives. The EAR EBP prioritizes support for CAREER proposals that emphasize broadening participation in the geosciences, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the discipline.

Additionally, the program accepts unsolicited proposals, also referred to as ad hoc proposals, focused on creative initiatives for recruitment and retention in the Earth sciences. These proposals must be preceded by a concept outline submitted via email to a designated program officer to determine their appropriateness for the program.

Applicants must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, depending on their submission method. Full proposals are accepted at any time, providing flexibility to applicants. Key contact for the program is Dr. Aisha R. Morris, who can be reached via email at armorris@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-7081. The program’s guidelines were last published on April 11, 2025.