Earthwatch Research Funding Program

Earthwatch Research Funding Program

Overview: Earthwatch supports research projects that produce rigorous, relevant, and impactful science, address global change, and actively involve citizen-scientist participants.

Status: Shifting to a rolling request for proposals (RFPs) process effective April 2026, for projects beginning in 2028.

Geographic Scope: Global (with geographic restrictions due to safety concerns—review "No Go" List)

Focus Areas:

Biodiversity Conservation

Marine Conservation

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Climate change

Habitat loss and degradation

Air and plastic pollution

Endangered species

Urban resilience

Award Amount: Annual budgets for projects with long-duration teams range between $20,000–$80,000 USD, with most covering volunteer and staff expenses while in the field. Final grants provided on a per-capita basis based on number of participants.

Project Duration: Research projects are tenable for three years, subject to annual performance review, and may be eligible for renewal beyond that period. Long-term support averages 10–11 years across available projects.

Evaluation Criteria:

Scientific merit

Appropriateness of citizen-scientist activities

Expected project outcomes and impacts

Safety and logistics

Funded Expenses:

Field equipment and supplies

PI and co-PI transport to the field

Participant field transportation

Field technicians

Support staff (cooks, logistics coordinators, wildlife guards, drivers, etc.)

Food and housing for PIs/co-PIs, field technicians, and Earthwatch participants

NOT Funded:

Scientist salaries

Student tuition

Institutional overhead

Capital equipment

Post-fielding data analysis

PI Eligibility Requirements:

Pre-proposals must be submitted by the PI responsible for all scientific oversight

Lead PI or at least one research team member must have a Ph.D. in the field of proposed research

Affiliation required with: university, government agency, tribal agency, or science-focused NGO

OR collaborate with a co-investigator meeting those qualifications

Earthwatch encourages applications from: historically underrepresented groups in STEM, scientists local to research nation, early career scientists

University labs (advisors + grad students) provide strong model

Project Requirements:

Quantifiable goals and measurable impacts

3-year or longer duration (longer-term receives priority)

Field-based research and data collection with participants trained in field

Data gathered primarily by citizen-scientist participants recruited by Earthwatch

Minimum of 4 research teams per year (average 6-8 teams)

4–15 participants per team as needed

Field research teams typically 7–9 days (some 10–14 days)

Reputable housing within 45-minute drive from site

Must field: adult, high school and college student, teacher, and/or corporate groups

Run in English with all communications and documents in English

Educate volunteers about science and relevance to global priorities

Prioritize locally run vendors, partners, and sustainable businesses

Collaborate with local community stakeholders through engagement, outreach, conservation actions

Research Ethics Standards:

All projects must follow existing institutional, national, and international standards

Animals: Only capture/handling when justified and necessary; develop noninvasive methods (eDNA, camera traps, acoustical monitoring)

Human Subjects: IRB clearance required prior to fielding; participants not to conduct independent surveys

Bias: Rigorous QA/QC measures while engaging citizen scientists; assessment and publication encouraged

Sustainability: Minimize carbon footprint; sustainable transportation, accommodations, food, and community interactions

Citizen Science Model:

Earthwatch recruits diverse participant types: individuals, professionals, groups, teens (15-18), community fellows

Participants meaningfully contribute by collecting field data under direct scientist supervision

No previous research experience required

Earthwatch staff prepare participants using PI-developed materials; PIs train upon field arrival

Contact: partnerships@earthwatch.org