Collaborative Research: Human Infrastructure for a National Geochronology Consortium: Micro-Funding an Inclusive Community Grassroot Effort to Better Understand the Earth System

该项目支持“推进地球年代学、空间和系统”（ages -cube或AGeS3）倡议，旨在：(1)增加对地球年代学数据和地质年代学专业知识的获取，以进一步加深我们对统一地球系统的理解；(2)实施一个吸引代表性不足的少数群体参与地球科学的平台；(3)在包容和协作科学的前沿测试基层思想。地质年代学数据为跨越地球深部到地表过程的协同科学提供了所需的时间信息。然而，美国国家科学院的报告反复强调了地质年代学数据获取、技术创新和培训方面的挑战。该项目通过三个战略微型奖励计划来满足这些需求。成熟的AGeS-Grad项目支持研究生、实验室和家庭机构导师之间的高影响力合作科学项目。原型的AGeS-DiG（地质年代学多样性）项目为试点项目提供资金，以增加那些在地球科学领域代表性不足的人接触地质年代学的机会。新的AGeS-TRaCE（培训和社区参与）项目支持社区主导的应对地质年代学新挑战的努力。该项目的小额奖励为人类基础设施引擎提供动力，使重要的科学进步成为可能，而这些进步可能不会在更经典的资助中发生。推进地质年代学科学、空间和系统（ages -cube或AGeS3）项目建立在AGeS-Grad子项目的成功和合作精神的基础上，通过启动小额赠款机会，为自我确定的地质年代学需求提供众包解决方案。该项目利用地球科学领域的专业知识和创造力，使协作科学成为可能，并更广泛地评估以基层社区为主导的解决方案，以应对地球年代学和地球科学领域当前的挑战。项目活动传播了一个新的关系网络，使更大的地球科学团体能够在地球过程和系统的动态和复杂性方面取得变革性的科学进步。该项目在三个子项目中资助了150多个战略微型奖项，以使地球科学领域的数百人参与协作科学、培训、审查和治理活动。更广泛的参与和整合将通过以下方式实现：每年一次的、虚拟的、完全开放的AGeS社区会议，一个提供项目博客和可交付成果的网站，以及一个正式的治理模式，其中包括指导和审查委员会，由轮换成员组成，旨在平衡经验与新参与。评估和评价活动将提供形成性反馈，以在其弧线上塑造主动性。归属感、可及性、正义、公平、多样性和包容性贯穿于所有活动之中，通过包容性和可及性的实践来寻求多样化参与的结果，这些实践也促进了社区的联系感和归属感。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project supports the Advancing Geochronology Science, Spaces, and Systems (AGeS-cubed or AGeS3) initiative to: (1) increase access to geochronology data and geochronology expertise to further our understanding of unified Earth systems, (2) implement a platform attracting underrepresented minorities to the geosciences, and (3) test grassroots ideas at a frontier of inclusive and collaborative science. Geochronology data provide the temporal information required for synergistic science spanning the deep Earth to surface processes. Yet National Academy reports have repeatedly highlighted challenges for geochronology data access, technical innovation, and training. This project addresses these needs through a trio of strategic micro-award programs. The mature AGeS-Grad program supports high-impact collaborative science projects between graduate students, labs, and home institution mentors. The prototype AGeS-DiG (Diversity in Geochronology) program funds pilot initiatives to increase access to geochronology for those underrepresented in the Earth sciences. The new AGeS-TRaCE (Training and Community Engagement) program supports community-led efforts to address emerging challenges in geochronology. The micro-awards of this program powers the human infrastructure engine, enabling important scientific advances that may not happen within the silo of more classic grants.The Advancing Geochronology Science, Spaces, and Systems (AGeS-cubed or AGeS3) project builds on the success and cooperative spirit of the AGeS-Grad subprogram through the launch of micro-grant opportunities to crowd-source solutions for self-identified geochronology needs. The program harnesses expertise and creativity across the Earth sciences by enabling collaborative science and evaluating grassroots community-led solutions to current challenges in geochronology and geosciences more broadly. The project activities propagate a web of new relationships that position the greater geoscience community to make transformative scientific advances on the dynamics and complexity of Earth processes and systems. This project funds over 150 strategic micro-awards across three subprograms to engage hundreds across the Earth sciences in collaborative science, training, review, and governance activities. Still broader engagement and integration will be achieved through annual, virtual, fully open AGeS community meetings, a website that will host project blogs and deliverables, and a formalized governance model that includes steering and review committees with rotating members designed to balance experience with new engagement. Assessment and evaluation activities will provide formative feedback to shape the initiative over its arc. Belonging, accessibility, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity are infused throughout all activities, and outcomes of diverse participation will be sought via inclusive and accessible practices that also promote a sense of connection and belonging in the community.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.