Structure and Physics of the Solid Earth

The Structure and Physics of the Solid Earth (SPSE) program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to advance fundamental knowledge of the Earth’s dynamic processes, structure, and evolution. This research spans temporal and spatial scales, from the Earth's core to its crust, and covers key areas such as structural geology, tectonics, and geophysics. The program supports investigations into the forces and phenomena that shape Earth over time, including natural hazards such as earthquakes and mass flows, as well as studies on Earth’s formation, magnetic field, and internal processes. The program funds a broad range of activities, including laboratory experiments, field studies, theoretical research, and computational modeling. Supported projects will explore Earth’s dynamical systems and contribute to understanding geohazards, such as seismic activity, and the mechanisms underlying Earth’s physical processes. This foundational research aims to improve scientific understanding of critical processes that affect society and planetary systems. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, such as two- and four-year accredited U.S.-based colleges and universities, and non-profit, non-academic organizations like research laboratories, independent museums, observatories, and professional societies associated with educational or research activities. If proposals involve funding for international branch campuses of U.S. institutions, applicants must justify the benefits of performing the project at the branch campus instead of the U.S.-based campus. The program anticipates funding approximately 75 awards, with an estimated total program funding of 22 million dollars. There is no specified award ceiling or floor, and proposals are accepted at any time. Cost-sharing or matching is not required. Researchers are encouraged to submit proposals that advance interdisciplinary work and address fundamental scientific questions about Earth's dynamic structure and processes. Applications must adhere to National Science Foundation submission guidelines and be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Additional details can be found in the full announcement under NSF Publication 25-518. For technical assistance or inquiries, applicants may contact NSF’s grants support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.