[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

Proposals accepted anytime

Up to $4,000,000 per award; estimated total program funding $10,000,000; typical awards range from $100,000 to $1,500,000 depending on project type and duration (see details below).

Supports research infrastructure, instrumentation, and facilities to advance understanding of the Earth system and train a diverse geoscience workforce.

--- ## Description The NSF Division of Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF) program funds research infrastructure essential for advancing knowledge of the Earth system—including the solid Earth, its interactions with the biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere, as well as Earth’s climate history and evolution of life. The program supports a broad range of activities, including acquisition or upgrade of research equipment, instrumentation and technique development, technician support, community facility support, and continental drilling planning. The program emphasizes projects that will: - Advance Earth science research and education at U.S. academic and research institutions. - Contribute to training a diverse and inclusive geoscience workforce. - Encourage efforts supporting belonging, accessibility, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (BAJEDI). Proposals are welcome for: - Equipment Acquisition or Upgrade - Instrumentation and/or Technique Development - Technician Support - Community Facility Support (Tracks I, II, III) - Continental Drilling Planning See the [NSF EAR/IF program page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=EAR) for additional background and guidance. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there is no deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated Total Program Funding:** $10,000,000 annually. - **Number of Awards:** 30–40 per year. - **Award Amounts:** - **Equipment Acquisition or Upgrade:** Up to $600,000 (or $625,000 with broadening participation/outreach activities); up to $100,000 for community colleges and non-PhD-granting minority-serving institutions focused on education; up to $75,000 for computational equipment. - **Instrumentation and/or Technique Development:** Up to $600,000 (or $625,000 with broadening participation/outreach); up to 5 years. - **Technician Support:** Up to $200,000 per year; up to 5 years. - **Community Facility Support:** - Track I (Concept): Up to $200,000. - Track II (Development/Operation): Up to $1,000,000/year; up to 5 years. - Track III (Renewal): Up to $1,500,000/year; up to 5 years. - **Continental Drilling Planning:** Up to $100,000/year; up to 2 years. - **No cost sharing required.** --- ## Eligibility Eligible organizations include: - **U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs):** Accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) with a U.S. campus. - **Non-profit, non-academic organizations:** Museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with education or research. - **Consortia:** Legally incorporated, not-for-profit consortia of eligible organizations, or informal consortia led by eligible organizations (can include other U.S. and non-U.S. partners via subawards). - **For-profit organizations:** May participate as subawardees/partners, but may not submit independently. **International Branch Campuses:** Proposals involving international campuses of U.S. IHEs must justify the need for activities to be conducted abroad. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals per PI, organization, or co-PI. --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platforms:** Proposals must be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov). - **Proposal Preparation:** Follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) and the specific solicitation [NSF 22-577](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf22577). - **Required Documents:** Project description (with specific section requirements by proposal type), budget, data management plan, postdoctoral researcher mentoring plan (if applicable), and supplementary documents as detailed in the solicitation. - **Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals:** Not required. - **Review Criteria:** Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader impacts, with additional program-specific criteria detailed in the solicitation. --- ## Additional Information - **Budgetary Limitations:** Certain restrictions apply to allowable costs (e.g., no personnel or publication costs in equipment acquisition proposals, no instrument service contracts except for facility support). - **Broader Impacts:** Strongly encouraged, including outreach and participation of underrepresented groups. - **Data Management:** Adherence to the NSF EAR Data and Sample Policy is required. - **No Deadline:** Proposals may be submitted at any time. - **Reporting:** Annual and final project reports are required. --- ## External Links - [NSF EAR/IF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/earif-earth-sciences-instrumentation-facilities/6186/nsf22-577/solicitation) - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359376) - [NSF Publication 22-577 (Full Solicitation)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf22577) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Title | Email | Phone | |---------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------| | EAR/IF Program Directors | [EARIF@nsf.gov](mailto:EARIF@nsf.gov) | See below | | Andy Frassetto | [EARIF@nsf.gov](mailto:EARIF@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-5072 | | Elizabeth Widom | [EARIF@nsf.gov](mailto:EARIF@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4658 | | Leonard Spinu | [EARIF@nsf.gov](mailto:EARIF@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2665 | | Paul Cutler | [EARIF@nsf.gov](mailto:EARIF@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4961 | | Luciana Astiz | [EARIF@nsf.gov](mailto:EARIF@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4705 | For technical questions about Research.gov: - Research.gov Help Desk: 1-800-673-6188, [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) For technical questions about Grants.gov: - Grants.gov Contact Center: 1-800-518-4726, [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) ---

Earth Sciences Instrumentation and Facilities

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