Pathways into the Earth, Ocean, Polar and Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences | 23 540

GEOPAths (NSF 23-540) Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the GEOPAths program?

GEOPAths is an NSF grant program under the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) called "Pathways into the Geosciences - Earth, Ocean, Polar and Atmospheric Sciences" (Funding Opportunity Number 23-540). It supports projects that strengthen education, training, learning, and professional development across the geosciences by building STEM Learning Ecosystems that connect learners to real geoscience experiences, careers, and problems.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The program aims to grow the pipeline into geoscience degrees by testing new, evidence-informed approaches that motivate and prepare students to pursue geoscience at the undergraduate level and beyond.

3) What geoscience areas does GEOPAths cover?

The program focuses on Earth, ocean, polar, and atmospheric sciences, and also references related geospace topics.

4) What kinds of projects does GEOPAths want to support?

GEOPAths is looking for collaborations and learning networks that connect students with meaningful, career-relevant geoscience experiences tied to real-world problems. Competitive proposals are expected to build strong partnerships, offer authentic experiences, and include a clear plan for recruiting, supporting, and retaining participants.

5) What does NSF mean by "STEM Learning Ecosystems" in this program?

Based on the description provided, the term refers to coordinated collaborations and learning networks that link learners to education and professional development opportunities in geosciences, including experiences connected to real careers and real problems in geoscience domains.

6) What are Geoscience Learning Ecosystems (GLEs) and how do they relate to the program?

GEOPAths organizes its tracks around the concept of Geoscience Learning Ecosystems (GLEs). In practice, these are the partnerships, networks, and connected learning opportunities that help learners move along a pathway into geoscience education and careers.

7) Is broadening participation a required emphasis?

Broadening participation is described as a central priority. NSF is explicitly encouraging projects that engage students from historically excluded groups and students who may not already be on a geoscience degree path.

8) What does NSF expect proposals to do to broaden participation?

The description indicates proposals should go beyond generic enrichment. They should be intentionally designed to reduce barriers to entry, create a sense of belonging, and provide accessible, career-relevant experiences that help participants see geoscience as a viable and attractive academic and professional direction.

9) What funding tracks are available under GEOPAths?

The solicitation includes three tracks: GEOPAths Informal Networks (IN), GEOPAths Undergraduate Preparation (UP), and GEOPAths Graduate Opportunities (GO). Each track focuses on a different point in the pathway while remaining tied to GLEs.

10) What is the GEOPAths Informal Networks (IN) track?

Informal Networks (IN) supports collaborative projects that provide geoscience learning in informal settings. These projects are meant to reach teachers, pre-college students (such as upper-level high school students), and early undergraduates through settings like museums, observatories, community programs, field experiences, or other non-traditional environments.

11) What audiences can be served under the Informal Networks (IN) track?

The description specifically mentions teachers, pre-college students (including upper-level high school students), and early undergraduate students.

12) What kinds of learning environments are considered "informal" for the IN track?

Examples provided include museums, observatories, community programs, field experiences, and other non-traditional settings intended to spark interest and build foundational exposure to geoscience.

13) What is the GEOPAths Undergraduate Preparation (UP) track?

Undergraduate Preparation (UP) focuses on extra-curricular experiences and training for pre-college and undergraduate students, emphasizing service learning and workplace skill building. The goal is to develop practical competencies and professional readiness alongside geoscience content.

14) What is emphasized in the Undergraduate Preparation (UP) track?

The program highlights service learning and workplace skills, with the intent of helping students transition more confidently into geoscience majors, internships, or early career opportunities.

15) What is the GEOPAths Graduate Opportunities (GO) track?

Graduate Opportunities (GO) targets improved research and career pathways for undergraduate and graduate students through institutional collaborations, again highlighting service learning and workplace skills. It is designed to strengthen advanced pathways into geoscience research and geoscience careers by expanding mentoring, research access, and professional networks through partnerships.

16) Who can participate in GO track activities?

Based on the description, the GO track targets undergraduate and graduate students.

17) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to certain U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar U.S. organizations directly connected to educational or research activities. Accredited U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (two-year and four-year, including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States may also apply on behalf of their faculty members.

18) Can a community college apply?

Yes. The description states that two-year and four-year U.S. Institutions of Higher Education, including community colleges, are eligible as long as they are accredited and have a campus located in the United States.

19) Can non-academic organizations apply?

Yes. The opportunity allows proposals from non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar U.S. organizations connected to educational or research activities.

20) Are there special rules for international branch campuses?

Yes. For U.S. universities with international branch campuses, if any project funding would support work at an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain why the international location benefits the project and why the activities cannot be carried out at the U.S. campus instead.

21) What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 47.050 and described as a discretionary grant in the science and technology/research and development category.

22) What is the submission deadline listed in the notice?

The original closing date listed for submissions is February 28, 2025.

23) Does the notice specify a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

No. The provided information states that the notice does not specify an award ceiling.

24) Does the notice state how many awards NSF expects to make?

No. The provided information indicates the expected number of awards is not specified in the notice.

25) What characteristics are described as making a proposal competitive?

Competitive proposals are described as those that build strong partnerships, create authentic and career-relevant geoscience experiences, and demonstrate a thoughtful strategy for recruiting, supporting, and retaining participants, especially those from groups historically left out of geoscience education and careers.

26) Is the program focused only on students who already plan to major in geosciences?

No. The description emphasizes engaging students who may not already be on a geoscience degree path, indicating the program is interested in attracting and supporting new entrants into geoscience pathways.

27) Do projects need to be tied to careers and real-world problems?

Yes. The program description highlights meaningful experiences tied to real careers and real problems involving the Earth, oceans, polar regions, and the atmosphere (and related geospace topics).

28) Are teachers an intended audience for any track?

Yes. Teachers are specifically mentioned as an intended audience under the Informal Networks (IN) track.

29) What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to influence along the pathway?

Based on the description, GEOPAths aims to increase motivation and preparation for geoscience study at the undergraduate level and beyond, strengthen professional development, and improve transitions into geoscience majors, internships, research opportunities, and geoscience careers.

30) What is the overall organizing idea connecting all three tracks?

All three tracks are tied together by the concept of Geoscience Learning Ecosystems (GLEs), meaning connected partnerships and learning opportunities that support participants at different points along the pathway into geoscience education and careers.