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Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation

Assistance Listings
  • 47.050 -- Geosciences

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

View version history on Grants.gov

Description

The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) offers postdoctoral research fellowships (PRF) to provide opportunities for scientists early in their careers to work within and across traditional disciplinary lines, develop partnerships, and avail themselves of unique research resources, sites and facilities. The fellowship program is intended toprovide beginning investigators of significant potential with experiences that will establish them in positions of leadership in the scientific community. During tenure, Fellows affiliate with a host research organization(s) and conduct research on topics supported...

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - Fellowship proposals must be submitted directly by the Fellowship candidate to NSF. Each Fellowship candidate must identify a sponsoring scientist(s) and must affiliate with a U.S. host organization. Appropriate primary host organizations include:
    • Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) Two-and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members.
    • Non-profit, Non-academic organizations -Independentmuseums, observatories,research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
    • For-profit research organizations – U.S. commercial organizations, especially small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education.
*Who May Serve as PI: To be eligible to submit a proposal to the OCE-PRF Program, an individual must, as of the full proposal target date, meet all the following criteria:
  • Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident (i.e., have a "green card") at the time the proposal is submitted;
  • Have earned the doctoral degree (PhD), or expect to have earned the doctoral degree prior to the required start date of the fellowship;
  • Not have worked for more than a total of 24 full-time-equivalent months in positions that require the doctoral degree;
  • Present a project plan that falls within the purview of NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences oceanographic research priorities; and
  • Not have submitted concurrently the same project to another program.
Applicants are encouraged to expand the network of collaborators and implement the fellowship at anorganization new to the applicant. However, applicants who choose to carry out the postdoctoral fellowship at the organization where they received their PhD or their currentorganization at the time of submission must: (1)present a strong justification and clearly explain the benefits of this choice to their research and educational goals; and (2) have two scientific mentors, one at the hostingorganization and a second mentor at a different organization who is a new collaborator with the applicant. Proposals that fail to meet the above eligibility requirements will be returned without review. By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation. Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).

Grantor contact information

Description

NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Email

If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.

grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Documents

No documents are currently available.

Link to additional information

NSF Publication 21-538

Archived: June 7, 2025

Application process

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Award

$4,000,000

Program Funding

--

Expected awards

$190,000

Award Minimum

$--

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

21-538

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

--

Category of Funding Activity:

Science technology and other research and development

Category Explanation:

--

History

Version:

1

Posted date:

June 6, 2025

Archive date:

June 7, 2025

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