Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes
This grant funds research on how water, landscape, and critical zone processes shape Earth's near-surface environment and respond to change to advance Earth Sciences.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime
Funding Amounts: ~$23,850,000 total program funding; 60–80 awards anticipated per year
Summary: Supports research on Earth's near-surface processes—hydrologic, geomorphic, and geochemical—and their interactions, with an emphasis on advancing fundamental Earth surface science.
Description
The Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes (WaLCZ) program funds research that advances understanding of Earth's near-surface environment and its response to natural and anthropogenic change. The program emphasizes the interconnected roles of hydrologic, geomorphic, and geochemical processes in shaping landscapes, regulating water and soil resources, and influencing climate systems. Supported projects should focus on fundamental, hypothesis-driven research that addresses knowledge gaps in Earth surface processes, rather than applied or engineering solutions.
Research may span:
- Hydrologic processes and water quality/availability at or near the surface
- Geomorphic feedbacks and landscape evolution under biological, climatic, and tectonic influences
- Aqueous geochemistry and elemental cycling in near-surface systems
- Fate and transport of water, solutes, and materials
- Critical Zone interactions (biotic and abiotic) impacting soil and topography
- Integrated modeling and new technology applications (e.g., geophysics, remote sensing)
- Anthropogenic impacts on natural environments
Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects are encouraged, especially those that cross boundaries within the Earth sciences or with related fields. Proposals should aim for transformational discoveries and contribute to broadening participation in STEM.
