Geophysics

The Geophysics Program supports basic research in the physics of the solid earth to explore its composition, structure, and processes from the Earth's surface to its deepest interior. The program’s disciplinary focus spans geodesy, geodynamics, geomagnetism, heat flow, mineral physics, potential fields, seismology, rock mechanics and deformation. Within these fields, the program encourages a wide range of laboratory, field, theoretical, and/or computational studies, and encourages new methods, approaches and innovative research directions. Research questions the program addresses include but are not limited to 1) understanding geohazards, such as the fundamental geophysical processes underpinning earthquakes, volcanoes and mass flows; 2) crustal and lithospheric structure and dynamics including faulting, subduction, rifting and mountain-building processes; 3) mantle composition, structure, dynamics and evolution; 4) core structure and dynamics, geodynamo, and core-mantle interactions; 5) global and planetary-scale processes, early Earth formation and evolution, isostatic adjustment, and the magnetic field.

*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.