EAR supports a broad spectrum of research and research infrastructure. A recent National Academies committee report, hereafter the “Earth in Time” Report, documents priority science questions to guide EAR research over the coming decade (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2020. A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020-2030: Earth in Time. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25761). The report discusses the infrastructure and facilities necessary to advance identified science priority questions and reviews existing infrastructure and facilities available to the EAR research community.

The Earth in Time report notes that Department of Energy (DOE) synchrotron facilities are needed for the chemical, physical, and mechanical characterization of Earth materials under the wide range of conditions found on Earth. The report documents that NSF/EAR and DOE partnerships allow for advanced Earth materials characterization at synchrotron light sources and are needed to address stated science priorities including:

1. Study of the evolution and dynamics of the geodynamo
2. Plate tectonic history and evolution
3. Critical element distributions and cycling in Earth materials
4. Earthquake physics
5. Volcanic processes
6. Critical zone processes and climate feedbacks
7. Paleoclimatology
8. Water cycle dynamics
9. Biogeochemical processes and biodiversity evolution
10. Geohazards mitigation

As previously announced and anticipated (Dear Colleague Letter NSF 20-124), EAR is soliciting proposals to develop, manage, operate, and support user access to U.S. synchrotron-based and supporting laboratory capabilities necessary to advance Earth sciences research and training. EAR seeks proposals that prioritize support for the research and training needs of the U.S. Earth science community supported by EAR core or special programs (see https://www.nsf.gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=EAR for a current list of programs funded by EAR).

Goals of this solicitation include: 1) centralizing management of synchrotron light source beamlines focused on Earth and environmental science applications; 2) allowing for broad science community access to new capabilities that will be realized as part of Department of Energy plans for next-generation synchrotron light sources in the U.S.; 3) providing an opportunity to develop and support new beamlines, instrumentation and techniques at U.S. synchrotron light sources in support of Earth and environmental research and training including new capabilities, enhanced user support, and mechanisms to engage both the low-temperature geochemistry and Earth materials research communities; 4) addressing priority science questions and related infrastructure recommendations identified in a 2020 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report (A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020-2030: Earth in Time. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25761); 5) encouraging innovative efforts to include and foster engagement with individuals and communities historically underrepresented in the Earth and environmental sciences to be integrated with Facility activities including staffing, education, outreach and community activities, and considerate of needs to support belonging, accessibility, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (BAJEDI); 6) preserving high-priority components of EAR's facility portfolio; 7) encouraging oversight, management, and operational efficiencies for EAR supported synchrotron-based analytical capabilities within a defined budget projection; and 8) complying with National Science Board (NSB) policy on periodic competition of NSF facilities.