The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) invests in research, education and infrastructure to advance geoscience knowledge and support the agency’s mission to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
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What we support
Through distinct funding opportunities and initiatives, GEO advances geoscience knowledge and builds capacity, supports natural resource management, builds resilience to natural hazards, and fuels innovation in critical and emerging technologies.
GEO core programs:
Key research themes
Foundational geoscience research
GEO supports research in atmospheric, geospace, Earth and ocean sciences to enable groundbreaking discoveries and inspire collaborations across disciplines.
Natural hazards and extreme events
GEO supports research on natural hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes, geomagnetic storms, flooding and volcanic eruptions to better prepare for events and mitigate impacts.
Space weather and impacts
GEO funds observations and research on space weather, which is variable conditions in Earth’s space environment that can influence the performance and reliability of our technology and affect human well-being.
Natural resources
GEO investments reveal new information about natural resources, like critical minerals, to inform management efforts that promote economic benefits.
AI and quantum
GEO invests in projects that pilot new, advanced AI and quantum technologies to transform how we study the planet.
Energy-water nexus
GEO investments inform efforts to simultaneously meet society’s water and energy requirements in a sustainable way while ensuring energy and water security in the future.
Biotechnology advancements
GEO supports research using biological systems, organisms or their components to develop products, technologies and solutions that benefit human health, the environment and the economy.
Workforce development
GEO invests in projects to build and maintain a globally competitive geoscience workforce.
GEO focus and technology areas
Educational resources
Get lesson plans, activities and multimedia for K–12 audiences that focus on exploring environmental and earth sciences.