AGU Funds
Our future depends on meeting goals that address 21st century global needs
Our science itself is moving in that direction. The geophysical sciences have grown enormously over the past century, and AGU members through Union, Section and Committee activities continue to contribute uniquely to their strength. What we do supports efforts toward sustainable development, saving lives and mitigating damage from natural disasters, and learning to live wisely on Earth.
Take a few moments to learn more about the many activities you can help sponsor–from lending a hand to scientists abroad to funding fellowships, supporting Section activities, expanding career opportunities, or strengthening AGU's endowment. Your gift will not only be greatly appreciated, but will also help leverage corporate and foundation grants to AGU.
You can make a gift of stock using the Securities Transfer Request form. [PDF, 17KB].
Unrestricted Fund–Used for annual nonrevenue-producing Union activities approved by Council.
Section Funds–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Atmospheric Sciences–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Biogeosciences–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Geodesy–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Geomagnetism & Paleomagnetism–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Hydrology–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Ocean Sciences–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Planetary Sciences–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Seismology–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Space Physics & Aeronomy–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Tectonophysics–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Volcanology Geochemistry & Petrology–Supports section activities including special projects and awards.
Focus Group Funds–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
Atmos. & Space Electricity–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
Cryosphere Sciences–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
Mineral & Rock Physics–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
Nonlinear Geophysics–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
Paleocean. & Paleoclim.–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
SEDI–Supports focus group activities and special projects.
Special Project Funds–Special Project Funds support worthwhile projects which generally fall outside the scope of the annual operating budget.
Berg & Best Fund–Named in honor of two scientists who unselfishly dedicated their talents to the progress of geophysics, this fund supports grants for students and public outreach in Seismology. Dr. Joseph W. Berg conducted research in areas such as exploration geophysics, earthquake and explosion seismology, and marine geophysics. Dr. Berg was an active AGU member from 1951 until his death in 1997. Col. William J. Best (USAF, Ret.) influenced the careers of four generations of seismologists and their students. In 1984, Col. Best was awarded the U.S. Government Outstanding Civilian Service Award for organizing and motivating the nation's leading scientists. A member of the Union since 1951, Col. Best was recognized by the Union with the Edward A. Flinn Award for his exemplary "unselfish cooperation in research" in 1992.
Education Outreach–Supports teacher workshops, student programs, and diversity initiative
Lend-a-Hand–Contributions of $40 to this fund are used to provide two-year AGU memberships to scientists in countries* with currency restrictions or low exchange rates.
*Complete list of eligible countries
*Complete list of eligible countries
Public Information–Supports communication projects that broaden public understanding of Earth and space sciences.
Public Affairs–Supports science policy initiatives and related activities at local, state, and national levels.
Endowment Funds–Endowment is a quantitative key to unlocking the future of geophysical sciences, scientists, and society. By enabling students' participation in meetings and programs, AGU helps ensure a continuing stream of scientists into the field. Over time, these relatively small investments generate enormous returns. Please help to grow the endowed funds by making your gift today!
AGU Endowment Fund–Provides permanent support for vital AGU nonrevenue-producing activities.
Falkenberg Fund–Charles Falkenberg was an AGU member who dedicated his career to Earth and environmental sciences. He focused on enabling practical applications of Earth Science through visualization and information technology. The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) and AGU have created a fund in commemoration of the achievements of computer scientist Charles Falkenberg, who with his wife and two daughters, died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This fund benefits scientists, age 45 or under, who not only have made an original contribution to the field of Earth Science but also have strived to achieve significant public awareness of the importance of understanding our planet.
Hammond Fund–Established by colleagues of Dr. Carl “Max” Hammond, this fund supports a travel grant for a space physics student. Dr. Hammond had just moved back east to begin working at MITRE Corporation when he died on 11 September 2001 in the second plane that crashed into the World Trade Center. His scientific career spanned Georgia Tech, Marshall Space Flight Center, the University of California-Los Angeles (PhD 1993), Los Alamos National Laboratory, SRI International, and MITRE. The Carl “Max” Hammond Student Travel Fund will provide grants up to $1,000 annually for students to attend AGU meetings.
Namias Fund–Jerome Namias, AGU Fellow and 50–year member, was an inspiration to several generations of meteorologists and climatologists. He was instrumental in developing the scientific basis for experimental forecasts as far as five days into the future, and became known as “the extreme forecaster.” Dr. Namias first became enthusiastic about the weather from a high school physics teacher. He helped establish the long-range forecasting branch of the US Weather Service and the Climate Research Division, and the Experimental Climate Prediction Center at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Named in his honor, this fund is used to encourage student participation in Atmospheric Sciences research.
Martinelli Fund–Although Bruno Martinelli never belonged to AGU, he was a passionate believer in its mission and a colleague of many Union members. In 2001 those same scientists asked AGU to establish a fellowship in memory of Martinelli and his commitment to unselfish cooperation in research. Dr. Martinelli, a Swiss volcanologist who worked for more than a decade in South America, constantly encouraged young scientists in the region to participate in conferences elsewhere in the world. Today, the combined generosity of scientists and friends worldwide makes possible the Bruno Martinelli Fellowship. The fellowship program helps young Latin American scientists attend an international meeting or workshop, and present a paper on volcanic processes.
Ostenso Fund–Ned Ostenso joined NOAA in 1977 and served as their chief scientist before retiring in 1996 as assistant administrator in the oceanic and atmospheric research office. He took part in research involving the Arctic, Africa, Europe, and North America and helped develop government science policies. Dr. Ostenso, who joined AGU in 1953 and worked tirelessly advancing Union priorities, became a Fellow in 1996 and received the AGU Waldo E. Smith Medal for “extraordinary service to geophysics” in the same year. A mountain in Antarctica and a seamount in the Arctic were named in his honor. The Ned A. Ostenso Public Service Fund supports a strong AGU role in public information, education, and other areas of public service.
Scarf Fund–AGU Fellow and 25–year member Frederick L. Scarf received the Space Science Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1987 for his achievements in atmospheric physics and his work on the dynamic transfer processes occurring in space. A living memorial to the work of Dr. Scarf, a chief scientist for research and technology at TRW, this fund provides for an award that is given to a recent Ph.D. recipient for outstanding dissertation research that contributes directly to solar-planetary sciences.
Student Travel Grants–Provides vital support for students to attend their first AGU meeting and present their research. Contributions to this fund are used within the 12–month period in which they were given.
AGU Canada-Unrestricted–Used for annual nonrevenue-producing activities.
AGU Canada—Student Travel–Helps support travel grants for Canadian students.
Student Travel Endowment–Sustains/augments the Union's travel grant program for students to attend their first AGU meeting and present their research.