Earthwatch Research Funding
We are updating our Research Proposal application process to focus on improving our participant recruitment processes.
Therefore, we will not be soliciting research pre-proposals/proposals at this time. We will launch a rolling proposal structure in the future, most likely for new field research projects to begin in 2027.
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We support research projects that produce rigorous, relevant, and impactful science, address global change, and actively involve citizen-scientist participants. We distribute requests for proposals (RFPs) annually. We evaluate proposals based on scientific merit, appropriateness of citizen-scientist activities, expected project outcomes and impacts, safety, and logistics.
Earthwatch funding is intended to be supplemental to other sources of funding. Annual budgets for projects with long-duration teams range between US $20,000–$80,000, with most of that covering volunteer and staff expenses while in the field. Final grants are provided on a per-capita basis based on the number of participants. Research projects are tenable for three years, subject to annual performance review, and may be eligible for renewal beyond that period. We pride ourselves on our capacity for long-term support of research projects, averaging between 10–11 years of support across the projects available for public recruitment.
Earthwatch takes the safety of all people involved in projects we support very seriously. Therefore, we are unable to support research projects in certain regions of the world due to safety concerns, with no exceptions. Please review our current Earthwatch “No Go” List prior to applying for funding.
WE FUND THE FOLLOWING FIELD EXPENSES:
- Field equipment and supplies
- PI and co-PI transport to the field
- Participant field transportation
- Field technicians
- Support staff (including: cooks, logistics coordinators, wildlife guards, drivers, etc.)
- Food and housing for PIs/co-PIs, field technicians, and Earthwatch participants
WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FUND THE FOLLOWING:
- Scientist salaries
- Student tuition
- Institutional overhead
- Capital equipment
- Post-fielding data analysis
Submit a Pre-Proposal
To submit a pre-proposal for review, please visit our Submission Portal.
Pre-proposals for new research projects to begin in 2025 will be accepted through Friday, June 9, 2023.
