The Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships program, administered by the National Science Foundation, provides funding for recent doctoral graduates to conduct independent research and engage in professional development in the field of Earth Sciences. The program supports fellows for up to two years, allowing them to explore new research areas, expand their skills, and build professional networks. Fellows are encouraged to work at institutions other than their doctoral or current affiliations to gain diverse experiences and foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The program seeks to nurture emerging leaders in Earth Sciences and address scientific priorities outlined by the NSF Division of Earth Sciences.

The program aims to improve understanding of Earth’s systems, materials, and processes while advancing professional growth for new researchers. Fellows are required to integrate research activities with broader impacts, including efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Professional development is a key component, with opportunities for mentoring, training, and outreach, particularly targeting underrepresented groups in STEM.

Each fellowship provides salary support aligned with the U.S. Government GS-11 Step 1 pay scale, adjusted for locality, and includes a three percent increase in the second year. An annual allocation of $15,000 is available for research and professional development expenses such as materials, travel, and publication fees. Awards are made to the fellow’s host institution, which must be a U.S.-based entity eligible for NSF funding, such as accredited colleges, universities, or nonprofit research organizations. Federally funded research centers, government agencies, and foreign organizations are not eligible as primary host institutions.

Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and have earned their doctoral degree within 24 months prior to the proposal deadline. Proposals should include a detailed research plan, a justification for the choice of host institution and mentors, and a professional development plan. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity in STEM. Each individual may submit only one proposal annually, and the same project cannot be submitted concurrently to other NSF programs.

Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Required components include a project description, a professional development plan, letters of support from mentors and host institutions, and a data management and sharing plan. The proposal deadlines for 2025 are January 14 and October 29, with future deadlines occurring annually on the last Wednesday of October.

Proposals are evaluated based on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and additional criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications, the quality of the research plan, the suitability of the host institution, and the potential for the fellowship to advance the candidate’s career. Award decisions are subject to scientific and programmatic priorities as well as funding availability. Notification of awards is typically provided within six months of the proposal deadline.

Fellows must begin their tenure between August 1 of the year following the submission deadline and July 1 of the subsequent year. Annual progress reports and a final outcomes report are required to document research achievements and broader impacts. The program is designed to promote innovation and diversity in Earth Sciences while preparing fellows for leadership roles in academia, industry, and beyond.