Chemical Evolution of the Solid Earth and Volcanology
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research projects investigating the chemical evolution of the solid Earth and volcanology. Eligible applicants typically include academic institutions (universities, colleges), research centers, and nonprofit research organizations. The NSF welcomes proposals from faculty members, researchers, and research groups at institutions of higher education, as well as independent research organizations. Applicants must have institutional affiliation or seek fiscal sponsorship. The program supports fundamental research activities including field studies, laboratory analysis, computational modeling, and theoretical work related to Earth's geochemical evolution, volcanic processes, and related solid Earth science. Projects may involve interdisciplinary collaboration across geochemistry, geology, geophysics, and related disciplines.
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Program description
The Chemical Evolution of the Solid Earth and Volcanology (CESEV) program aims to advance fundamental knowledge about the origin and evolution of our home planet including its core, mantle, and continental crust. The program encourages a wide range of laboratory, field, experimental, theoretical, and/or computational studies that explore the continuous high-temperature igneous and metamorphic geochemical and petrologic processes that shape the Earth. Volcanology and magmatic processes, ore deposits and economic geology, and geochronology are all in the purview of this program. Research in these areas can help improve our understanding of volcanic and other natural hazards, and the distribution of mineral and other natural resources.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF standard form SF-424 (Project Narrative Cover Sheet)
- Project Narrative (typically 15 pages maximum, describing research objectives, methods, and significance)
- Budget and Budget Justification (with detailed cost breakdown)
- Biographical sketches of senior personnel (NSF format)
- Current and Pending Support documentation for all key personnel
- Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources description
- Letters of commitment or collaboration from partner institutions (if applicable)
- Data Management Plan (explaining how research data will be managed and shared)
Program contact
- 👤 National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4261
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.050 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$640,746,599
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$399,999,980
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$220,735,035
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$106,638,563
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$82,550,071
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$74,280,323
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$73,335,203
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$68,622,497
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$64,462,832
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$63,916,877
Top States by Funding
- TX 4 awards $689.8M
- MA 16 awards $667.5M
- OR 5 awards $452.4M
- CA 12 awards $286.7M
- NY 7 awards $217.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.050). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,009,920,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,013,630,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $374,350 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Academic institutions, research universities, colleges, and nonprofit research organizations with appropriate institutional infrastructure. Individual researchers should apply through their institution or seek fiscal sponsorship.
What types of research activities are supported?
The program supports fundamental research in geochemistry, volcanology, and Earth evolution, including field work, laboratory experiments, computational modeling, and theoretical investigations of volcanic and geochemical processes.
Is there a rolling deadline?
Yes, this program operates on a rolling deadline basis. Proposals can be submitted on a continuous basis, though it's advisable to check NSF's website for any target dates or program-specific submission windows that may apply.
How competitive is this program?
NSF research programs are highly competitive. Successful proposals typically demonstrate novel research questions, rigorous methodology, broader impacts, and often include preliminary data or strong theoretical justification.
What is the typical funding range?
Funding varies by project scope and complexity. For typical NSF research grants in Earth sciences, awards generally range from $100,000 to $500,000 or more over multi-year periods, though amounts vary based on proposal requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong collaborative team with complementary expertise in geochemistry, geology, volcanology, and/or related fields to strengthen your research vision and broaden impacts.
- Emphasize the broader impacts of your research beyond academic discovery, such as applications to natural hazard mitigation, resource exploration, or understanding Earth's habitability and climate history.
- Include preliminary data or proof-of-concept results that demonstrate feasibility. NSF reviewers strongly favor proposals with concrete evidence of methodological soundness.
- Clearly articulate how your proposed research advances fundamental understanding of Earth processes and distinguishes your work from existing studies in the field.
- Engage with diverse teams and consider how your research can provide educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, particularly from underrepresented groups in STEM.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications are often rejected when researchers fail to clearly articulate the scientific innovation and broader impacts beyond the academic community. Proposals also struggle when budgets are insufficient for the proposed scope or when preliminary data is absent, leaving reviewers uncertain about feasibility. Finally, many applications underestimate the importance of demonstrating how the research will be communicated to stakeholders (educators, policymakers, industry) and how it contributes to workforce development.
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