June 28, 2017

Dear Colleagues:

The development of cyberinfrastructure for the geosciences (Geoinformatics) has been identified as a separate funding opportunity in the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) since 2006. The current solicitation (NSF 11-581), released in 2011, focused on the data, software tools, and computational infrastructure that respond to the EAR community cyberinfrastructure needs. There have been significant advances in all aspects of this cyberinfrastructure development since 2011 and EAR considers it time to evaluate the progress that has been made and to determine whether any changes should be made to the goals and/or structure of the Geoinformatics Program to better address current community needs.

In order to conduct the Geoinformatics program review, there will be a one year hiatus in the acceptance of proposals effective immediately. New project proposals will not be accepted in 2017. Continuing grant increments for active awards will continue to be funded in the interim. Please monitor the EAR updates web page for information about new funding opportunities for 2018 and beyond.

Current GI awardees should communicate with their cognizant program officers in EAR (GI and/or Disciplinary) for any issues related to their awards. Principal Investigators seeking new funding in the hiatus period should consider programs in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate and/or the EarthCube Program, or contact their disciplinary program directors for guidance.

Sincerely,

William E. Easterling
Assistant Director
Directorate for Geosciences