Geomorphology and Land-use Dynamics (GLD)

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Description

The Geomorphology and Land-use Dynamics (GLD) Program funds innovative fundamental research aimed at understanding the processes that shape and modify Earth's landscapes over various spatial and temporal scales, with a particular focus on the Holocene epoch. Research supported by GLD quantitatively investigates the coupling and feedback among geomorphic processes, their rates, and their relative roles, especially considering biological, climatic, and tectonic influences, as well as human impacts.

The program supports diverse research approaches including fieldwork, modeling, experimentation, theoretical development, or combinations thereof. It encourages multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and convergence research, including international collaborations.

GLD places a strong emphasis on broadening participation by encouraging proposals that involve women, persons with disabilities, underrepresented minorities, individuals from geographically underrepresented STEM areas, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The program also values projects that integrate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) principles into research and education activities.

Examples of broader impacts include engaging underrepresented groups, partnerships with minority-serving institutions and community colleges, outreach to K-12 educators and students, innovative public engagement (e.g., webcasting, social media, virtual reality), and travel support to diversity-focused professional society conferences.

Collaborative projects are encouraged to include clear management plans, timelines, and involvement of early career researchers and cross-disciplinary training.

Due Dates

• Proposals are accepted anytime with no fixed deadlines.
• Proposals to other NSF programs (e.g., CAREER, EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships) must meet their respective deadlines.

Funding Amount

• Estimated annual funding: $7,640,100 (subject to availability).
• Number of awards: 30 to 40 per year.
• Award types: Standard grants or continuing grants.
• Equipment requests linked to research projects generally should not exceed $50,000.

Eligibility

• Who may submit:
  • U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges).
  • Non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies associated with educational or research activities in the U.S.
• International branch campuses: Must justify benefits and why work cannot be done at the U.S. campus.
• Who may serve as PI: No restrictions or limits.
• No limits on the number of proposals per organization or per PI/co-PI.
• Proposals declined by EAR cannot be resubmitted for one year without substantial revision unless approved by an EAR Program Officer.

Application Process

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via Research.gov or Grants.gov; submission via FastLane is not allowed.
• No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required.
• Proposals must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).
• Collaborative proposals from multiple organizations must be submitted via Research.gov.
• RAPID proposals are accepted but typically limited to budgets under $50,000 and focused on perishable data collection; prior discussion with a Program Director is required.
• Proposals involving foreign countries should include collaboration details and required permits.
• Equipment requests should be justified and generally not exceed $50,000 unless submitted separately to the Instrumentation and Facilities Program.
• Cost sharing is prohibited.

Review Criteria

Proposals are evaluated using the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria:

• Intellectual Merit: Potential to advance knowledge within or across fields.
• Broader Impacts: Potential to benefit society and advance desired societal outcomes, including diversity and STEM workforce development.

Reviewers consider the creativity, rationale, qualifications, resources, and assessment plans of the proposed activities.

Award Administration

• Awards consist of the official award notice, budget, proposal, applicable award conditions, and any incorporated documents.
• Annual project reports are required 90 days before the end of each budget period; final reports and public project outcomes reports are due within 120 days after grant expiration.
• Reports must be submitted via Research.gov.
• Failure to submit required reports may delay future funding.
• Award conditions and reporting requirements follow NSF standard policies as detailed in the PAPPG.

Additional Information

• The program encourages integration of research and education and broadening participation in STEM.
• Examples of funded projects can be searched using NSF Award Search with Program Element Code 7458.
• The program supports activities that tightly integrate JEDI principles with research and education.
• Investigators are encouraged to contact program officers for guidance, especially for interdisciplinary or non-standard proposals.

External Links

• Program Solicitation and Details
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• NSF Grants.gov Application Guide
• EAR Data Policy
• NSF Merit Review Process
• NSF Award Search

Contact Information

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This program is ideal for researchers investigating geomorphic processes and landscape evolution, especially those interested in the Holocene epoch, human-environment interactions, and promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.