Funding in the geosciences

[Kitkat]

What is the funding situation within the field of geosciences? I know that it is a good portion dependent on the schools that we apply to, but what is it like compared to fields like biology, chemistry, physics? Was it hard for people to get a fellowship, an RAship or a TAship within the field.....

I wonder, because at this point I am bascially set for the programs I am applying to, and they all say that they fund their students, but I am wondering what the dynamics are for money with such a small group, field wise.

[katerific]

Note: I actually have no idea how this works, but here's my impression. I don't know how it compares to other fields, but I think most of the places I applied to said they'd be able to support students for at least 3 years (either as TAs or RAs or both). I got the sense that it was pretty advisor-dependent in that some potential advisors had hella grants and others... not so much. Also, the UC system is a bit stressed right now in terms of money.

The two places I got in to also stated that they could guarantee five years of support (and they told me they don't admit people if they can't do that.) I only need to TA one semester, and every other semester I'm an RA (this would have been the same case at the other school I got accepted in to). I should also note that even though these two schools aren't as "prestigious" as other schools I applied to, they by far were the best about being upfront about the money situation, and also were more confident pre-admission about being able to fund students. But anyway, that's just my own experience, YMMV.

edit: also, one great thing about the earth sciences is that it's very interdisciplinary, which is great for applying for lots of different grants. I've known people who have applied to NSF, DOD, a number of small environmental agencies, etc, for smaller grants that can help them along the way.

edit2: I apologize if this isn't very coherent... I'm still recovering from AGU.

Edited December 10, 2011 by katerific

[Kitkat]

Well, most of the schools seem to have the same idea, that they can either support you up to X # of years or that they only accept if they can support you up to 5 years.

To one of your edits ( ); its good to hear that it seems like being a science that is interdisciplinary that there could be more backup sources if necessary.

[InquilineKea]

Intriguing about interdisciplinarity and grants. Don't some grants look down on interdisciplinarity though? I agree though - that interdisciplinarity does increase the range of grants that you can apply for.

[UnlikelyGrad]

I've heard of earth science students getting fellowships from NSF, DoD, DoE, EPA, and NASA.

In terms of profs getting funding, I've heard of people getting money from all of the above, plus USGS and petroleum companies (of course).

[InquilineKea]

Interesting.... do environmentally conscious people accept grants from petroleum companies?

[waddle]

Interesting.... do environmentally conscious people accept grants from petroleum companies?

http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle800.do?categoryId=9036591&contentId=7067599

[UnlikelyGrad]

Interesting.... do environmentally conscious people accept grants from petroleum companies?

Sure. One of the profs in my department does work on algal fuel production (hydrogen, biofuels) and gets most of his money from a petroleum company. Any smart petroleum company is going to think about what the future holds...and it isn't petroleum, at least not forever!