The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships to highly qualified investigators within 3 years of obtaining their PhD to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. The research and education plans of each fellowship must address scientific questions within the scope of EAR disciplines.  The program supports researchers for a period of up to 2 years with fellowships that can be taken to the institution or national facility of their choice. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential, and provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in leadership positions in the Earth Sciences community. Because the fellowships are offered only to postdoctoral scientists early in their career, doctoral advisors are encouraged to discuss the availability of EAR fellowships with their graduate students early in their doctoral programs. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows. The total fellowship amount is $85,000 per year

Applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens (or nationals) or legally admitted permanent residents of the United States (i.e., have a “green card”) at the time of application;
• Either currently be a graduate student or, have held a PhD degree in a scientific or engineering field for no more than 3 years prior to the award start date;
• Must present research and education plans that fall within the purview of the Division of Earth Sciences at NSF (http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR);
• Select a host institution and sponsoring scientist different from the doctoral degree and current position (current at the time of application and of award);
• Not have submitted concurrently the same project to another NSF program.