Marine Geology and Geophysics
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers conducting marine geology and geophysics research. Faculty at research universities, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students may apply. Eligible activities include field research, data synthesis, laboratory experiments, methods development, and modeling. Work must advance understanding of ocean basins, ocean margins, and Great Lakes geology and geophysics.
Research topics include oceanic lithosphere structure, paleoceanography, submarine volcanology, hydrothermal venting, marine sedimentology, seafloor hazards, and coastal processes. Both acquisition of new field data and analysis of existing data are supported.
NSF has no citizenship restriction for this program. Applicants should verify their institution's eligibility as an NSF grantee.
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Program description
The Marine Geology and Geophysics Core Program supports research on all aspects of the geology and geophysics of the present ocean basins and margins, as well as those of the Great Lakes.
The Program supports science that includes:
- Structure, composition, tectonics, and evolution of the oceanic lithosphere
- Paleoceanography, paleoclimate, and sea level change
- Submarine volcanology, petrology and geochemistry of the oceanic crust and upper mantle lithosphere
- Marine hydrogeology, water-rock interaction, seeps and gas hydrates
- Hydrothermal venting and in situ fluid processes, and associated geochemistry
- Geochemical indicators of life operating below the seafloor
- Marine sedimentology, stratigraphy, sediment transport, and diagenesis
- Mid-ocean ridge spreading, back-arc rifting, transform processes, and ocean island/seamount formation and evolution
- Submarine components of subduction zone systems and passive margins
- Marine geohazards (e.g., earthquakes, faulting, mass wasting, geological aspects of tsunamis)
- Coastal processes (e.g., geological aspects of hurricanes, sea-level change, erosion, offshore deposition)
The Marine Geology and Geophysics Program supports acquisition of new field data and the leveraging of and/or synthesis of existing data. The program supports analytical and laboratory experimental projects, methods development, and modeling. All activities should have relevance to and advance the understanding of marine geoscience processes. The Program interfaces with NSF programs across the Geosciences and across the Agency. For proposals that cross between Programs, proposers should contact the relevant Programs to seek guidance on submission.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches
- Current and Pending Support
- Facilities and Equipment Description
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
-
$106,638,563
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$82,550,071
-
$74,280,323
-
$73,335,203
-
$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 can apply for this grant?
Researchers at eligible institutions including universities, colleges, and research centers may apply. Typically postdocs and graduate students apply through their institution. International applicants may be eligible depending on their institutional affiliation.
What types of research are supported?
The program funds field research, laboratory studies, data synthesis, modeling, and methods development. All work must relate to marine geology, geophysics, ocean basins, margins, or Great Lakes.
Is there a deadline?
This is a rolling program with no fixed deadline. You may submit proposals according to NSF guidelines. Check the NSF website for any seasonal submission patterns.
What budget categories are allowed?
Personnel, equipment, supplies, travel, and indirect costs are typically allowable. Contact the program officer for guidance on specific budget items related to your research.
How competitive is this program?
NSF programs are highly competitive with typical funding rates of 20-25%. A strong proposal demonstrates novel research questions, feasible methodology, and clear intellectual merit.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the NSF program officer early to discuss your research fit. Alignment with program priorities increases competitiveness.
- Emphasize intellectual merit and broader impacts. NSF evaluates both how your work advances science and its societal value.
- Include realistic timelines and budgets. Overestimated budgets or tight timelines raise reviewer concerns about feasibility.
- Demonstrate access to necessary facilities and equipment. Describe field logistics, lab resources, or data archives you'll use.
- Address how your work builds on or complements existing research. Position your proposal within the current state of marine geoscience.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear connection to NSF program priorities. Vague methodology or unrealistic timelines. Insufficient detail on intellectual merit or broader impacts.
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