Start a Thriving Earth Exchange Project

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About Thriving Earth Exchange
Overview
Our work focuses on local challenges related to natural hazards, natural resources, and climate change. Projects must utilize earth and space scientific knowledge or methods to collect data, apply scientific knowledge or processes, or make results of scientific research accessible. Thriving Earth Exchange is a virtual community science program is a steppingstone to achieving a larger goal and the focus is on developing and obtaining scientific data that can result in a larger project in the future.
General Details for Conducting a Project
The program is free of charge for communities, and projects do not need to join the program with external funding. Projects are designed to make an impact through creative problem-solving and in-kind support. Projects are supported by volunteer Community Science Fellows – project managers we train and match with you. These project managers will work with you to define the priorities of your project and to secure volunteer scientists or technical experts to achieve your community-led solutions. Typical project outputs can include – but are not limited to – developing reports, webinars, podcasts, data, maps, exhibits, grant proposals, applications of technology, or interviews.
Role of a Community Lead
A community leader can be anyone who is passionate about addressing local environmental issues and has the ability to engage their community. This could include local government officials, nonprofit leaders, educators, business leaders, and community activists. Each project requires two Community Leads, which bring the community context, knowledge, insights and connections. Community Leads understand that this program is completely virtual and a reliable internet connection, ability to communicate virtually/familiarity with video conferencing software along with good communication skills and a co-community leader/team to support are crucial for your role. Being a community lead requires approximately 3-4 hours a week of your time. Projects last 12-18 months.
What types of projects does Thriving Earth Exchange support?
As a geoscience organization, our work focuses on local challenges related to natural hazards, natural resources, and climate change. Projects must utilize earth and space scientific knowledge or methods to collect data, apply scientific knowledge or processes, or make results of scientific research accessible. Some examples of projects we have supported are: collecting air, water or soil samples to examine them for pollutants; using existing GIS data to create an interactive map so communities can determine their relative environmental hazard risks; helping determine the cause of an environmental issue; creating green space or gardens; and creating a plan to protect a natural resource. However, we are unable to support projects that collect personal health information or human biomedical specimens such as saliva, urine, blood, psychological data, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upcoming Project Launches
Projects typically launch two times a year. If your community is interested in being a part of our community science program and would like to submit an application, please ensure your priority issue or project idea is science-based such as natural hazards, environment health, pollution, natural resources, sustainability, water resiliency, or climate change. Please note that projects should be narrowly focused and can result in a phase two or larger project in the future.
To apply as a Community Leader, see the cohort launch schedule below and fill out the short application form that follows. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can learn about future deadlines.
2025 Cohort Dates and Application Deadline
Cohort Date | Location | Application Deadline |
October 20th, 2025 | Online | August 21st, 2025 |
Application
Use the form below to apply! Form not loading? Click here to open in a new window. If your community is Spanish-speaking, please apply using the Spanish version of the application here. Questions? Email our program at [email protected]
Note: Prior to engaging with Thriving Earth Exchange, all communities are asked to read and consent to Thriving Earth Exchange’s Statement on Integrity in Community Science. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.