The National Science Foundation's Geoinformatics program supports the development, deployment, and operation of cyberinfrastructure resources that advance research and education in the Earth Sciences. The program focuses on enabling data management, facilitating the use of open-source software, promoting transparent and reproducible research, and enhancing the capacity of Earth scientists to utilize cyberinfrastructure tools. It operates under two tracks: Innovative Resources, which funds early-stage projects for developing and deploying cyberinfrastructure resources, and Sustained Resources, which supports ongoing operations and user community services for mature cyberinfrastructure tools. Each track serves distinct phases of project maturity, with Innovative Resources projects eligible for funding of up to $200,000 per year for three years, while Sustained Resources projects have flexible budgets based on their scope and impact.

Eligible applicants include accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education, nonprofit non-academic organizations such as research laboratories and professional societies, and similar U.S.-based entities directly involved in education and research activities. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals an individual or organization can submit. Proposals submitted under the Sustained Resources track must include a Concept Outline at least three months before the target submission date to ensure alignment with program priorities. Applicants are also encouraged to consult program officers before submitting proposals to either track.

Proposals must address both intellectual merit and broader impacts, detailing how the cyberinfrastructure will serve Earth Sciences research communities, promote inclusivity, and facilitate open and reproducible science. Innovative Resources proposals should emphasize early-stage development, while Sustained Resources proposals must demonstrate prior outcomes and outline sustainable governance, scalability, and community engagement plans. Proposals may also include requests for advanced computing resources, such as high-throughput or cloud computing services, provided these align with program guidelines.

Submission requires adherence to NSF's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, and proposals can be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Collaborative proposals must be submitted via Research.gov. The program requires detailed plans for community engagement, training, and outreach, including strategies for broadening participation among historically underrepresented groups. Sustainability plans must

clearly outline long-term governance, operational strategies, and resource allocation to ensure the continued availability and effectiveness of the cyberinfrastructure beyond the funding period.

Evaluation criteria for proposals include the standard NSF merit review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, alongside additional solicitation-specific criteria. These criteria focus on metrics and assessment for measuring engagement and project impact, as well as sustainable management practices to ensure adaptability, scalability, and long-term continuity. Proposals must also detail the technical architecture, user engagement strategies, and alignment with best practices such as FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) principles for data management and sharing.

The anticipated funding for the Geoinformatics program is approximately $5.6 million annually, with an estimated six to eight awards distributed across the two tracks. The duration for Innovative Resources projects is up to three years, while Sustained Resources projects funded in December 2023 can span three to four years, and those funded in December 2024 will have a maximum duration of three years. Funding levels for Sustained Resources projects vary based on project size, scope, and anticipated scientific and educational impact.

Annual and final project reports are required, detailing progress on goals, broader impacts, and data management plans. Principal Investigators must ensure compliance with reporting guidelines through NSF’s electronic systems on Research.gov. Program officers encourage ongoing communication with applicants, especially for Sustained Resources projects, where early submission of the Concept Outline is mandatory.

The next proposal target dates are December 1, 2023, for both tracks, December 6, 2024, for Sustained Resources only, and December 5, 2025, for Innovative Resources only. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with program officers to clarify alignment with program priorities and submission requirements. Further information and updates can be accessed through NSF's Geoinformatics program website or by contacting designated program officers directly.