July 7, 2021

Dear EAR Community,

In the last Newsletter, I wrote about three primary priorities for EAR – dealing with effects of COVID-19, implementing the Earth in Time report, and promoting BAJEDI (Belonging, Accessibility, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) in the Earth Sciences. In the meantime, I’m pleased to report that we’ve made progress on all these fronts. We emailed the criteria and instructions for COVID supplement requests to every PI and Co-PI of an active EAR award. We have been moving forward to address every one of the recommendations of Earth in Time, which of course includes BAJEDI.

Other happenings over the Spring look positive for NSF. The FY 2022 President’s Budget Request includes a substantial 20% increase. The Request’s priorities “to enhance fundamental research and development, improve equity in science and engineering, advance climate science and sustainability research, continue construction of forefront research infrastructure” will be used at NSF in accordance with the Director’s “three pillars” of advancing the frontiers of research, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, and continuing global leadership in science and engineering. The Request includes $1.20 billion for climate and clean energy-related research.

Important EAR news (for further detail, see the EAR Summer 2021, Vol. 1 newsletter), includes a new report on EAR Seismology and Geodesy Instrumentation, and a Dear Colleague Letter (21-097) announcing a two-year delay in our competition for a unified geophysical facility as the successor to SAGE and GAGE (proposals will be due early 2024). Since the last newsletter, we have released solicitations for support of the community synchrotron facilities (21-592, proposals due 3/4/22) and Geoinformatics (21-583, proposals due 8/16).

I want to highlight a few items that support early career scientists and increased diversity. CAREER (20-525) proposals are due 7/26. HBCU-Excellence in Research (20-542) letters of intent are due 7/22. ADVANCE (20-554) is celebrating its 20^th anniversary, letters of intent for Partnership and Adaption proposals are due 8/2, and Catalyst proposals have a target date of 8/6. REU (19-582) proposals are due 8/25.

I also want to bring attention to NSF’s Alan T. Waterman Award, awarded to scientists under 40 and within 10 years of their PhD.  NSF will be accepting nominations between July 19 and mid-September. The awardee receives a medal and $1M in funding over 5 years. It’s a great opportunity to recognize an early career scientist. Please think about nominating someone.

Finally, I want to encourage communication between the community and EAR. Since I arrived last November, I’ve been continually impressed with the dedication of the EAR staff to the research community. For NSF to be effective, we need to respond to community needs. If you have anything you want to share, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Dr. Steven Goldstein

Division Director, Earth Sciences

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The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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