Earthwatch Research Funding

About this program

Earthwatch offers supplemental funding for rigorous, field-based research addressing global change and involving Earthwatch-recruited citizen-scientist participants, with typical annual project budgets of $20,000–$80,000 and support for up to three years, subject to review. Eligible expenses include field equipment, transportation, field technicians, support staff, and field accommodations, but not scientist salaries, tuition, overhead, capital equipment, or post-fieldwork analysis; pre-proposals for projects beginning in 2028 will be accepted through the rolling RFP process starting April 2026. Projects must have measurable impacts, field at least four teams annually for three or more years, engage local communities, and provide trained, English-speaking field leadership. The PI or research team must include a Ph.D.-qualified scientist affiliated with an eligible institution or organization, and projects must meet Earthwatch safety, ethics, human-subjects, animal-care, and sustainability standards.