Applying for a National Science Foundation Grant
The American National Science Foundation is an Independent Federal Agency tasked by United States Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science and to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare through identifying and funding work at the frontiers of science. The Foundation has an annual budget of almost $7 billion for the year 2010 and uses this allocation to fund around 20% of all basic research conducted at the Nation’s Colleges and Universities. In fields including computer sciences, mathematics and the social sciences too, the National Science Foundation is the leading source of federal funds. Why not apply for a National Science Foundation Grant Today
The Foundation does not believe in working from the bottom down. It keeps in touch with research throughout the nation by constantly monitoring activity in the research community as it seeks to track the explosion in human understanding. Where is identifies areas with huge potential it becomes involved with funding and choosing the right people. The foundation’s Geo-Science Education Program is the administrative conduit through which the National Science Foundation considers, evaluates and approves funding applications. The awards it makes provide start-up or proof-of-concept funding to incubate innovative research until it reaches the tipping-point of self-sustainability.
The Geo-Science Education Program provides support throughout the education hierarchy from elementary to post-doctoral levels, and includes middle, secondary, undergraduate and graduate programs too. Targets include geo-science oriented pre-service teacher training and in-service professional training programs too. Web-based educational systems fall within the remit of the Digital Library for Earth System Education.
The goals of the Geo-science Education Program include:
- Improving the quality of geo-scientific education at all levels
- Increasing the quality and quantity of earth and space science K-12 educators
- Increasing numbers of enrolled geo-science students at all levels
- Enhancing public understanding of geo-science related matters
The Geo-Science Education Program awards a maximum of 15 National Science Foundation Grants every year. Applicants may propose grants of up to $200,000. The Foundation usually releases funds over a period of two years to facilitate the development of longer-term project sustainability.
