Earthwatch Institute
Field research projects around the world that engage members of the public as citizen-scientist participants
Principal Office: USA
The Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote a sustainable environment. Earthwatch recruits citizen-scientist participants from around the world. Participants collect data alongside scientists in the field.
Earthwatch is administratively organized by world regions. All regions share broad objectives, but the regions vary in details of the programs they offer, and in their grant support for them.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
1 — Leaders of Research Projects. Earthwatch funds scientists (i.e., Principal Investigators) conducting field research that fall within its research themes. The projects rely on Earthwatch participants for data collection, monitoring, and other research-related tasks.
Grants to the Principal Investigators include field equipment, transport to the field, field technicians, support staff, and food and housing. The funding amount for field grants is based on the number of participants in the project.
About research funding
APPLICATION: Earthwatch publishes calls for proposals. It invites applications from research leaders (i.e., Principal Investigators) of any nationality who meet eligibility criteria related to education and experience. Principal Investigators must have a PhD and an affiliation with a university, government agency, or science-focused NGO.
About how to apply
Note: Due to COVID-19, the submission of pre-proposals has been suspended for 2021. The next call for proposals is expected in 2022 (for projects starting in 2024).
2 — Teachers and Students. In some countries, teachers and students may be eligible for fellowship support on Earthwatch expeditions. Earthwatch provides application guidelines, forms, and deadlines for opportunities that are open.
About opportunities for teachers and students
3 — Young Conservationists in Developing Countries. Earthwatch has an Emerging Scientists Program that offers opportunities for young conservationists in developing countries to gain experience. Most participants are affiliated with conservation organizations or educational institutions.
Earthwatch shares open calls for proposals on the program site.
4 — Shulman Awards. The Earthwatch Shulman Awards provide research and training grants to early-career environmental scientists and researchers in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
About grants for early-career conservationists
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
Worldwide
Since 1971, Earthwatch has placed about 100 thousand volunteers in conservation projects.
Earthwatch posts a calendar of expeditions by thematic areas, geographical regions, and participation categories.
Due to safety concerns, Earthwatch publishes a “No Go” List of regions and countries in which research projects cannot be supported.
Earthwatch in the USA is the international coordinating office. Other Earthwatch teams are based in the UK, Japan, Australia, India, and Hong Kong. See Contact.