Grant opportunity
Geosciences Core Research: Atmospheric, Geospace, Earth and Ocean Sciences (GEO Core)
The NSF Geosciences Research solicitation supports foundational research projects that advance the frontiers of knowledge across all areas of the geosciences. This solicitation calls for proposals in three programs: Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) Program ; Earth Sciences (EAR) Program ; and Ocean Sciences (OCE) Program . These programs support projects that expand the frontiers of knowledge in science and technology. The programs encourage projects that advance research on Earth’s atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment; solid Earth sciences and Earth surface processes; and all fields of ocean science. Projects may focus on foundational research in a specific domain or cover multiple disciplines. NSF is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.
- Funder
- U.S. National Science Foundation
- Open-ended official notice; check Grants.gov for any amendment or programme-specific timing
- Open-ended official notice; check Grants.gov for any amendment or programme-specific timing
- Award
- See official notice
- Applicant
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
- Discipline
- Environment, Climate and Natural Resources
- Region
- United States
- Posted
- Aug 22, 2026
Call summary
Overview
Geosciences Core Research: Atmospheric, Geospace, Earth and Ocean Sciences (GEO Core) is official opportunity 26-516, published by U.S. National Science Foundation during the 18-22 August 2026 hunt window.
Who can apply
Eligible applicant types listed by the agency: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility". Applicants must also satisfy every programme-specific condition in the official notice.
What it supports
- The NSF Geosciences Research solicitation supports foundational research projects that advance the frontiers of knowledge across all areas of the geosciences. This solicitation calls for proposals in three programs: Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) Program ; Earth Sciences (EAR) Program ; and Ocean Sciences (OCE) Program . These programs support projects that expand the frontiers of knowledge in science and technology. The programs encourage projects that advance research on Earth’s atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment; solid Earth sciences and Earth surface processes; and all fields of ocean science. Projects may focus on foundational research in a specific domain or cover multiple disciplines. NSF is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.
- Opportunity number: 26-516
Funding and duration
- Award ceiling: See official notice
- Expected number of awards: 350
Open-ended official notice; check Grants.gov for any amendment or programme-specific timing
Open-ended official notice; check Grants.gov for any amendment or programme-specific timing
How to apply
Open the official Grants.gov record, review the full notice and attachments, and use the application package or agency route stated there.
Call details
Source-based overview
The NSF Geosciences Research solicitation supports foundational research projects that advance the frontiers of knowledge across all areas of the geosciences. This solicitation calls for proposals in three programs: Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) Program ; Earth Sciences (EAR) Program ; and Ocean Sciences (OCE) Program . These programs support projects that expand the frontiers of knowledge in science and technology. The programs encourage projects that advance research on Earth’s atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment; solid Earth sciences and Earth surface processes; and all fields of ocean science. Projects may focus on foundational research in a specific domain or cover multiple disciplines. NSF is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive. The official record contains the controlling eligibility, budget, attachment and submission requirements for opportunity 26-516.
Eligibility
Eligible applicant types listed by the agency: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility". Applicants must also satisfy every programme-specific condition in the official notice.
Funding and benefits
Award ceiling: See official notice
Expected number of awards: 350
Themes and supported activities
The NSF Geosciences Research solicitation supports foundational research projects that advance the frontiers of knowledge across all areas of the geosciences. This solicitation calls for proposals in three programs: Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) Program ; Earth Sciences (EAR) Program ; and Ocean Sciences (OCE) Program . These programs support projects that expand the frontiers of knowledge in science and technology. The programs encourage projects that advance research on Earth’s atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment; solid Earth sciences and Earth surface processes; and all fields of ocean science. Projects may focus on foundational research in a specific domain or cover multiple disciplines. NSF is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.
Opportunity number: 26-516
Deadline and timeline
Open-ended official notice; check Grants.gov for any amendment or programme-specific timing: Open-ended official notice; check Grants.gov for any amendment or programme-specific timing.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Open the official Grants.gov record, review the full notice and attachments, and use the application package or agency route stated there.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.