For All Prospective Applicants:
Earthwatch's proposal review processes are guided by our mission to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Accordingly, and in order to build long-term legacies through the scientific research we support, we have undertaken a strategic review of our program structure and developed four Research Areas (RAs):
- Ecosystem Services
- Climate Change
- Oceans
- Cultural Heritage
These RAs allow Earthwatch to focus support on critical ecological and cultural challenges encompassing the majority of threats to environmental sustainability. The RAs work together to support research, capacity building, education, and environmental action. Through these priorities, Earthwatch's supported research projects will have positive long-term impacts and will inform both local and global agendas.
Our project recruitment and review will now be determined by targets under each of the four RAs, along with our ability to adequately support the proposed research.
As a result, we no longer accept unsolicited formal applications for support, as we have in the past.
Instead, if you would like to be considered for Earthwatch support, please feel free to submit a short letter of inquiry (500 words or less) summarizing your proposed research project, along with your CV.
Update, May 2009: Although you are still welcome to submit a letter of inquiry for our information, we regret that due to current circumstances, Earthwatch is currently not developing new research projects.
If we feel there is a strong enough potential match to our RAs and the likelihood of enough available support (i.e. funding sources and/or volunteers), we will keep your letter of inquiry on file and get in touch if an opportunity arises.
Each year we will accept only a small number of new projects on to the portfolio to replace retired projects and/or to fill RA gaps in the portfolio. Our project selection process will of necessity be more proactive and selective than in the past.
We appreciate your interest during this exciting time in Earthwatch's history. If you have any questions, please contact the Research team at research@earthwatch.org.