Geosciences Core Research: Atmospheric, Geospace, Earth and Ocean Sciences (GEO Core)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic and research institutions conducting foundational geosciences research. Eligible applicants typically include universities, research centers, and organizations with capacity for scientific research and development. Projects may focus on atmospheric sciences, geospace sciences, Earth sciences, ocean sciences, or interdisciplinary combinations. Research should advance knowledge frontiers rather than pursue commercial outcomes.
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Program description
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:
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Form SF-424 (R&R)
- Project Narrative (research proposal)
- Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (Key Personnel)
- Current and Pending Support
- Institutional Cost-Share Documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
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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$125,964,875
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$82,550,071
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$76,780,323
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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 $701.0M
- MA 12 awards $647.6M
- OR 5 awards $456.1M
- DC 4 awards $241.5M
- CA 13 awards $236.2M
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 can apply for NSF GEO Core grants?
Universities, colleges, research institutions, and other organizations with research capacity may apply. Graduate students and postdocs often lead projects under faculty supervision.
What types of projects are funded?
Foundational research in atmospheric, geospace, Earth, or ocean sciences. Projects may be single-discipline or interdisciplinary. Commercially focused work is not preferred.
Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not a requirement for this grant program.
How competitive are these grants?
Very competitive. NSF receives thousands of proposals annually. Strong preliminary data, clear research questions, and institutional support strengthen applications significantly.
What is the typical award size and duration?
Award amounts and project durations vary by program and proposal scope. Check the specific program solicitation for typical ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research with one of the three core programs: AGS, EAR, or OCE. Multi-disciplinary projects must clearly show connections across domains.
- Emphasize intellectual merit and broader impacts. NSF equally weights discovery potential and benefits to society or education.
- Include preliminary data and evidence of feasibility. Strong preliminary results increase competitiveness significantly.
- Engage your institution's grants office early. They understand NSF budget rules and indirect cost policies specific to your organization.
- Plan for evaluation and dissemination. Describe how you'll measure progress, publish findings, and share data with the research community.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to address both intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria equally. NSF rates these separately and weak answers in either category hurt scores significantly. Proposing applied or commercial work as if it were foundational research. NSF explicitly states it doesn't expect products or near-term deployment. Underestimating budget and timeline demands. Inadequate detail on methods and feasibility weakens applications substantially.
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