All proposals to EarthCube (EAGER or Supplement) must meet standard NSF policy requirements. EAGER awards are meant to support high-risk, exploratory, and potentially transformative research, and these points must be addressed in the submission. The Project Description is expected to be brief (five to eight pages) and include clear statements as to why this project is appropriate for this funding opportunity, including why it does not “fit” into other existing programs. The box for EAGER must be checked on the cover sheet. Standard font and spacing guidelines will apply. Prior to submission of a proposal or supplement, an email expression of interest (up to a two-pages) is requested prior to formal submission of proposals or supplement. This email summary should conform to the guidance provided in the DCL (citation) and herein and (1) identify which of the above three categories the proposed activity would address; (2) explain the scientific motivation for the proposed effort; (3) describe the resultant advances that would be enabled by the undertaking, and (4) identify the members of the team.

In addition, the November Charrette identified several desirable characteristics for EarthCube projects:

1. Support EarthCube Objectives: Proposals should definitively support the EarthCube outcome goal of transforming the conduct of research in geosciences by supporting the development of community-guided cyberinfrastructure to integrate data and information for knowledge management across the Geosciences and the guidance provided in the DCL(citation). Proposals must identify themselves as related to at least one of the three categories outlined in the DCL: Advance the study of, and planning for, a Strategic Organizational Framework for EarthCube; Work toward achieving one or more Critical Milestones for the EarthCube vision as related to the identified capabilities from the Charrette (http://earthcube.ning.com/page/capabilities); Development of one or more new capabilities beyond those previously identified. In addition, the proposals must demonstrate a connection to established high priority capabilities and milestones derived from community dialog at the Charrette.
   
2. Show Significant Near Term Impact: Proposals must further the objectives of providing input towards the convergence of ideas and approaches that will facilitate successful outcomes from the May EarthCube event. There must be reasonable expectation that progress can be made by May.
   
3. Show Strong Collaborative Approaches: Proposals should demonstrate a strong connection to the geosciences research and education communities, both in terms of engagement and content. NSF anticipates that proposals supported by EarthCube will facilitate new partnerships and collaborations with the goal of overcoming obstacles and barriers to the development and adoption of EarthCube, thereby serving the broad geosciences community.
   
4. Offer Opportunities to Transform: Proposed projects should demonstrate transformational opportunities which contain all of the following characteristics: are broad in their disciplinary approach, extensively inclusive of people and organizations within geosciences, and produce outcomes that will substantially benefit a broad segment of the community.
   
5. Promote Open and Inclusive Dialog: Consistent with EarthCube’s open dialog process, successful proposals should demonstrate substantial outreach, dissemination, and broad community inclusion effort during the award period and leading up to the May EarthCube Event.