UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute
2026 Request for Proposals
Education and Outreach Grant
Submission deadline: Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
The TESI Education & Outreach Grant program supports UF undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates in designing and implementing outreach projects that communicate Earth systems science (air, water, land, and life).
Supported by the MacFadden Endowment, which funds education and broader societal impacts of science, the program allows projects to engage any audience, in any location.
Projects may engage:
- K-12 audiences: students and teachers in formal educational settings,
- Lifelong learner: Adults, families, or children in informal learning environments (museums, community events, online, etc.)
Projects may take place anywhere and are not limited to Florida or TESI programs.
Examples of outreach activities include, but are not limited to:
- Digital outreach: Websites, videos, social media campaigns
- Print materials: Brochures, posters, fliers
- Exhibits: Displays in museums, nature centers, libraries, or public spaces
- Public programs: Presentations, nature walks, lab demonstrations, workshops
- Outreach tables: Set-ups at events, festivals, or pop-up locations
- Community science initiatives: Public participation in data collection or research
- K‑12 formal activities: Classroom experiments, field trips, or school-based projects
Eligibility: University of Florida graduate students and postdocs. UF undergraduate students may also submit a proposal with the declared support of a UF faculty or staff member. Submissions can be individual or collaborative. For collaborative projects, only one team member must be affiliated with UF.
Funding: TESI will award up to $1,500 to cover travel, supplies, and other costs associated with delivering the outreach project. Proposers must submit a detailed budget outlining the costs of their project. The funds cannot be used to support stipends or meeting travel.
Reporting requirements: As part of the award, recipients must commit to submitting a short report on outcomes after their project is complete.
Review and award timeline: Proposers must complete their application, including submission of a letter of support, by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 21, 2026. The TESI team will review all proposals and alert proposers of their status within two weeks. After a short orientation, grant recipients can begin spending their funds starting in March 2026. Projects should be completed within one year of the award date.
How to apply:
Proposals will be submitted via a Qualtrics application. To complete the application, you will need the following:
- Project proposal (single PDF) – See proposal requirements here.
- CV or resume for each project member (single PDF)
- Letter of support (undergraduate students only) from a UF faculty or staff member serving in an advisory capacity, or a plan to have one emailed to earthsystems@floridamuseum.ufl.edu.
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will be asked to confirm that their advisor or supervisor is aware of the submission.
Please have all these items gathered before you begin your application, as you will not be able to save your progress.
Questions? Contact earthsystems@floridamuseum.ufl.edu.
Submit your proposal via the Qualtrics application here.
Proposals are due by 11:59 pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026.