Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry (GG) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry (GG) Program

1) What is the NSF Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry (GG) program?

The NSF Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry (GG) program supports research on how chemical processes operate in Earths surface and near-surface environments, and how those chemical processes interact with biology. The emphasis is on geochemical behavior under low-temperature conditions typical of the surface environment, including how water, minerals, organic matter, microbes, and ecosystems shape and record Earths chemical cycles.

2) What kinds of environments and processes does GG focus on?

GG focuses on chemical and biogeochemical processes at or near the Earths surface (the near-surface environment). This includes surficial systems and cycles, natural waters (such as groundwater, rivers, lakes, soil waters, and porewaters), and interfaces where important reactions occur, such as rock-water, mineral-organic, and microbe-mineral boundaries.

3) Is GG mainly about low-temperature geochemistry, or does it include deeper, high-temperature systems?

GG emphasizes low-temperature conditions typical of surface and near-surface environments rather than deep, high-temperature geochemistry.

4) What research approaches are supported by this program?

The program is intentionally broad and can fund field investigations, laboratory experiments, theoretical work, and computational or numerical modeling.

5) What spatial and temporal scales are appropriate for GG proposals?

Projects can span a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, from mineral surfaces and molecular-scale reactions to watershed, regional, and planetary-scale questions. Studies can address modern systems as well as Earths past (the geologic record).

6) What topic areas are considered a good fit for GG?

GG welcomes proposals examining inorganic and organic geochemical processes occurring at or near the surface today and in the geologic record. This includes reactions at interfaces (rock-water, mineral-organic, and microbe-mineral), as well as studies of mineralogy and the chemistry of Earth materials, geomicrobiology, and biomineralization.

7) Does GG support research on how life influences geochemical cycles?

Yes. A prioritized area is how life influences the transformation and long-term evolution of geochemical cycles, including processes such as microbial metabolism, biologically mediated weathering, nutrient cycling, and the formation and alteration of minerals.

8) Are studies of environmental change or human impacts within scope?

Yes. The program explicitly includes studies of surficial chemical and biogeochemical systems and cycles, especially where those systems are changing due to environmental shifts or human activities.

9) Does GG include low-temperature aqueous geochemistry?

Yes. Low-temperature aqueous geochemistry is explicitly included, covering chemistry in natural waters such as groundwater, rivers, lakes, soil waters, and porewaters.

10) What does the solicitation mean by "coupling"?

A recurring theme is coupling, meaning research that treats geochemical processes as linked with physical and biological processes in the critical zone, where rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact. Proposals that connect chemistry with hydrology, erosion, ecology, microbiology, or physical transport processes are encouraged, particularly when they clarify mechanisms rather than only describing patterns.

11) What is the "critical zone" in the context of this program?

In this program context, the critical zone refers to the near-surface layer where rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms interact, and where coupled chemical, physical, and biological processes shape Earth surface systems.

12) Does GG support tool development or methods work, or only hypothesis-driven research?

GG supports both hypothesis-driven science and the development of new tools, analytical methods, experimental approaches, datasets, and models that advance low-temperature geochemistry and geobiology, especially when these innovations enable more predictive or mechanistic understanding.

13) Are interdisciplinary proposals encouraged?

Yes. The program is described as highly interdisciplinary and interfaces with other programs in NSFs Earth Surface Section. It also connects strongly with biology, chemistry, and engineering, and proposals that bridge disciplines or align with multiple NSF communities are explicitly within scope.

14) What is the funding opportunity number and where does it sit within NSF?

This is a discretionary NSF research grant opportunity within the Geosciences domain. The Funding Opportunity Number is 15-559, and it is associated with CFDA 47.050.

15) How much funding is available and how many awards are expected?

NSF anticipates making around 30 awards, with an estimated total funding level of about $6.3 million.

16) What is the typical award size range?

Typical award sizes range from roughly $250,000 to $1,500,000.

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

18) Is there a fixed proposal deadline?

No fixed deadline is listed in the opportunity information. Proposals are accepted at any time, which generally means submissions follow NSF rules for proposal preparation and are considered according to program and panel schedules.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed at US-based research and education institutions and certain nonprofit, non-academic organizations. Universities and accredited two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) with a campus in the United States may apply on behalf of their faculty. Nonprofit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar US organizations associated with educational or research activities may also be eligible.

20) Can non-academic nonprofits apply?

Yes, certain nonprofit, non-academic organizations are described as eligible, including independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar US organizations associated with educational or research activities.

21) Where can applicants find the official announcement and full requirements?

The opportunity points to NSF Publication 15-559 for full details and official requirements.

22) Who should applicants contact for access issues related to Grants.gov?

For access issues, NSF directs applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.