Geoinformatics

The Geoinformatics program funds the deployment, operation, and sustainment of cyberinfrastructure (CI) resources to serve and support Earth Sciences research and education. In this solicitation, “Earth Sciences” refers to the academic research communities supported by programs within NSF’s Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=EAR). Goals for Geoinformatics support include (but are not limited to): (i) Enabling the management of and access to data, physical samples, and other research products in the Earth Sciences; (ii) Facilitating the development and use of open-source software and modeling capabilities, preferably via approaches that leverage shared computing resources and collaborative software development processes; (iii) Fostering transparent and reproducible modes of research and education in the Earth Sciences; and (iv) Increasing the capacity of Earth Scientists to utilize cyberinfrastructure resources. The Geoinformatics program will consider proposals within two tracks of support:

• The Innovative Resources track supports the early-stage development, deployment, and community-building for CI resources that serve Earth Sciences research and education.
• The Sustained Resources track supports the sustained operations and user community support for mature CI resources that serve Earth Sciences research and education. Principal Investigators (PIs) are strongly recommended to contact cognizant Program Officer(s) for this solicitation in advance of proposal submission to ascertain that the focus and budget of proposed projects are appropriate for this solicitation and the designated track.Guidance on the appropriate scope of Geoinformatics projects is provided in the Program Description. In addition, all proposers for Sustained Resources track projects must submit a Concept Outline at least three (3) months in advance of the full proposal target date.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.