Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If your research explores how water, soil, and geology interact to shape landscapes and influence climate or resource availability, NSF will fund it—but expect rigorous peer review and multi-year timelines.
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What this is
The Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes program supports basic science research into hydrologic, geomorphic, and geochemical processes in the Earth's near-surface environment. Research focuses on weathering, soil development, water availability and quality, and climate regulation. Funded work should generate transformational discoveries in Earth surface processes relevant to natural resource sustainability and hazard mitigation. This is primarily a fundamental research initiative rather than applied technology development.
Who can apply
Eligibility is restricted; see NSF guidance for 'Additional Information on Eligibility.' Typically NSF Earth Sciences programs fund university researchers, some non-profits, and research institutions. Private for-profit companies and solo founders without institutional affiliation are generally ineligible unless subcontracting through an eligible entity.
Eligible applicant types
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Full description — from the agency
The Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes program supports research on the Earth’s near-surface environment and how that environment responds to change. The Program focuses on the complex interplay amongst and between hydrologic, geomorphic, and geochemical processes and how they regulate the structure and function of the Earth’s near surface. These processes drive weathering and soil development, control water availability and quality, and help regulate the Earth’s climate system, all of which are important for natural resource sustainability and mitigation of natural hazards. It is expected that the research funded in this program will advance fundamental knowledge in Earth surface processes, leading to transformational discoveries in Earth Sciences.
Topics: critical zone processes · hydrologic geomorphic research · Earth surface processes · soil development weathering · water quality availability
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.