Best Earth Science Grants in Maryland

The Smithsonian Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) offers research grants for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers. These grants support projects utilizing Forest Dynamics Sites for fieldwork and data analysis, encouraging both natural and social science research. Proposals must integrate site data and can last from 3 months to 2 years. Funding covers research-related expenses, with priorities for projects enhancing educational and capacity-building efforts.

Accredited K–14 teachers, schools, and school districts in Maryland can apply for the AEG Foundation’s K-14 Education Fund to support geology and earth science education activities. Funding can cover hands-on classroom demonstrations, field trips, professional presentations, and attendance at earth science meetings to enhance teaching methods and student engagement.

Early-career, tenure-track faculty in Earth system science and related fields at degree-granting institutions in Maryland may be eligible for Alfred P Sloan Foundation Research Fellowships. These two-year, US $75,000 awards support fundamental research expenses, including staffing, travel, lab costs, equipment, or summer salary for promising scientific leaders.

Graduate students in earth science fields conducting thesis research at Maryland or other North and Central American universities can receive approximately US $2,500 in partial research support through the Geological Society of America. Funding supports a wide range of geological sciences and may particularly benefit students from underrepresented communities in the geosciences.