AGES3 AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS: MICRO-FUNDING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EARTH SYSTEM
AGeS3 will make ~130 strategic micro-awards ($8-$15k) over four years in its three subprogram branches and engage hundreds across the Earth sciences in collaborative science, training, review, and governance. The mature AGeS-Grad program will support high-impact collaborative science projects between graduate students, labs, and home institution mentors. The prototype AGeS-DiG (Diversity in Geochronology) program will fund pilot initiatives to increase access to geochronology for those underrepresented in the Earth sciences. The new AGeS-TRaCE (Training and Community Engagement) program will support community-led efforts to address other identified geochronology needs.
The AGeS3 micro-awards have potential to transform geoscience research, including that focused on tectonics and lithospheric processes. The overarching strategy of AGeS3 is to harness expertise and creativity across the Earth sciences by enabling collaborative science and evaluating and supporting grassroots community-led solutions to current challenges in geochronology and geosciences. Assessment and evaluation activities will provide formative feedback to shape the initiative over its arc. BAJEDI is infused throughout all activities, and outcomes of diverse participation will be sought via inclusive and accessible practices that promote a sense of belonging in the community.