The Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies and Education (RISE) positions NSF’s Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) to play a pivotal role in driving scientific research and education strategies. The mission of RISE is to foster transdisciplinary collaborations that engage the broader geosciences community to drive transformative discoveries, innovations in workforce development, and use-inspired solutions for urgent Earth system challenges. The potential RISE portfolio is broad and will begin by fostering new geosciences research and education programs in five key areas, or incubators:

• Geoscience Education and Diversity
• Geoscience Cyberinfrastructure
• Geoscience Innovation Hub
• Global Climate Challenges
• Synergistic Activities

Research and education in these five critical areas will highlight the value of the geosciences to the U.S. economy, national security and societal well-being. The incubators will support work to Build a Resilient Planet—one of NSF’s top priorities moving forward—and provide important connection points to NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or TIP. Notably, the incubators crosscut GEO’s Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Ocean Sciences divisions as well as the Office of Polar Programs, expanding funding opportunities for the entire geosciences community through partnerships with other NSF Directorates and external agencies. Additional connections will allow transdisciplinary advancement across all geoscience fields

Banner photo credits: Hara Madhav Talasila, Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets, University of Kansas; Avouac Laboratory / Edited by Paul Avouac; Victor Gensini, Northern Illinois University