Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF), offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under its Directorate for Geosciences and Division of Earth Sciences, provides early-career researchers with a significant opportunity to advance their research and professional development. NSF is an independent federal agency established to promote scientific progress and support research and education in science and engineering. This fellowship program is specifically tailored for recent recipients of doctoral degrees in Earth Sciences, providing them with a platform to pursue independent research and training that can lead to leadership roles in their field. The program seeks to foster innovative research, expand the scientific expertise of the fellows, and support their transition into productive academic or research careers. The EAR-PF supports fellows for up to 24 months at a U.S.-based host organization, which can include universities, non-profit organizations, or private research institutions. The host organization must not be a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), a federal agency, or a foreign organization. Applicants are encouraged to choose host institutions other than their doctoral or current institution to broaden their professional network and exposure. Each fellow is required to affiliate with a primary host organization that will receive and administer the award, and identify a primary scientific mentor. If the host organization is the same as the applicant’s current or previous institution, they must justify this choice and include a second mentor from a different organization. The scope of research must align with the disciplinary portfolio of the NSF’s Division of Earth Sciences, including interdisciplinary proposals. Fellows must submit a detailed research plan and integrate professional development activities into their proposal, which should take 10–25% of their time. These activities may include mentorship training or preparation for careers outside academia. NSF has identified artificial intelligence as a priority area for this program, and proposals incorporating AI into research or broader impacts are particularly encouraged. The fellowship also emphasizes NSF's mandate to broaden participation in STEM fields, with applicants encouraged to include outreach and diversity components in their proposals. Fellows are compensated based on the General Schedule (GS) salary scale established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, with a salary starting at GS-11 Step 1 for the host institution’s locality, and increased by 3% for the second year. An additional $15,000 per year is provided to cover research-related costs, including materials, travel, and publication expenses. Prior to finalizing the award, a pre-award transfer process is initiated, transferring the proposal from the individual to the host institution, which will then provide fringe benefits and administer the grant. The application process is conducted via Research.gov or Grants.gov. Applicants must submit a full proposal by January 14, 2025, or October 29, 2025, with future deadlines occurring annually on the last Wednesday of October. Only one proposal per applicant is allowed per year. Applications must include a project summary, project description (with broader impacts section), budget, data management plan, letters from host institutions and mentors, and a PhD abstract. The application is submitted directly by the individual, not through an organizational representative, and must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Review criteria include intellectual merit, broader impacts, candidate qualifications, potential for leadership, and commitment to broadening participation in science. For questions related to the program, applicants can contact Nicole M. Gasparini at (703) 292-8550 or Aisha R. Morris at (703) 292-7081, or by email at earpf@nsf.gov. The program’s full solicitation can be accessed on the NSF website, and applicants are encouraged to engage with the program officers to ensure alignment with EAR funding priorities.