GSA and GSA Foundation announce record support for the geosciences

Joint action addresses funding shortfalls by federal scientific agencies

2025-05-15

(Press-News.org) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 May 2025
The Geological Society of America
Release No. 25-07
Contact: Katie Busser
+1-303-357-1044
kbusser@geosociety.org

GSA and GSA Foundation Announce Record Support for the Geosciences

Joint Action Addresses Funding Shortfalls by Federal Scientific Agencies Boulder, Colo., USA: In an extraordinary demonstration of unity and resolve, The Geological Society of America (GSA) Council and the GSA Foundation (GSAF) Board of Trustees announce the approval today of the record level of support they will provide for the geoscience community.

The unprecedented support comes amid a rapidly evolving landscape in science funding, with significant constraints on NSF research grants, budgetary pressure on the USGS and other federal agencies, and increased uncertainty for students, early career scientists, educators, and research institutions. This joint commitment by GSA and GSAF represents a proactive, mission-driven response to ensure that GSA’s critical role in geoscience research, education, and public service does not falter in the face of these challenges.

“This historic investment is a powerful vote of confidence in GSA’s ability to deliver on our mission to advance geoscience research and education, support the next generation of scientists, and promote the geosciences in service to society,” says Melanie Brandt, GSA’s Executive Director and CEO. “Our members and community partners can be assured that GSA is positioned to lead with impact and integrity at this pivotal moment.”

The approved resources will increase funding for research grants, travel awards, professional honors, and memberships, while also expanding support for GSA’s policy initiatives. These additional resources will provide greater travel assistance for students and early career geoscientists to attend GSA Connects and Section Meetings; sustain the On To the Future program for underrepresented students; and broaden the global impact of GSA’s James B. Thompson Jr., Distinguished International Lectureship. These investments further reinforce GSA’s commitment to policy engagement and community impact through programs such as Geosciences Congressional Visits Day, the GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellowship, and the GSA Science Policy Fellowship.

Nathan Niemi, Acting President of GSA, underscores the importance of this support and the essential role of geoscientists, stating that “in a world grappling with climate change, resource scarcity, and natural hazards, the geosciences are more vital than ever. GSA remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the science that underpins solutions to some of our most pressing global challenges.”

Lydia Fox, Chair of the GSAF Board of Trustees, emphasizes the generosity of the geoscience community: “This record-setting level of support was made possible by our incredible donors. Their commitment to the future of the geosciences—particularly at a time of such uncertainty—is both inspiring and essential. We are deeply grateful.”

GSA and GSAF invite those interested in learning more about GSA’s mission, programs, and how to apply for upcoming funding opportunities to visit https://www.geosociety.org. To support GSA’s ongoing work with a donation through the GSA Foundation, please visit https://www.gsa-foundation.org.

About the Geological Society of America The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with more than 17,000 members across over 100 countries. As a leading voice for the geosciences, GSA advances the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fosters collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers. GSA publishes Geology, the top-ranked journal in the “geology” category, along with a diverse portfolio of other highly cited scholarly journals and books, conference proceedings, and public science books—several of which rank among Amazon’s top 100 best-selling geology titles.

About the Geological Society of America Foundation The Geological Society of America Foundation (GSAF) supports the advancement of geoscience by securing and stewarding charitable contributions to benefit the Geological Society of America. Established in 1980 to fund the landmark Decade of North American Geology initiative, the Foundation has since played a pivotal role in supporting GSA’s growth and continues to strengthen the Society’s impact by aligning donor passion with the GSA’s mission and priorities.

###

END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

UT MD Anderson and Texas Children’s Hospital announce $150 million gift from Kinder Foundation to launch Kinder Children’s Cancer Center

2025-05-15

HOUSTON, MAY 14, 2025 ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Hospital today announced a $150 million gift from Kinder Foundation. The transformational gift creates Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, a joint venture of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Hospital, with a single mission: to end childhood cancer. The gift is one of the largest philanthropic donations made to an American pediatric hospital and one ...

NIH to award $8 million for new USC Superfund center to research and address ‘forever chemicals’

2025-05-15

A team of scientists from Keck School of Medicine of USC and USC Viterbi School of Engineering has been awarded an $8 million, five-year grant from one of the National Institutes of Health to launch a Superfund Research Program Center where they will study environmental contamination from “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, which are used to make multiple household items from cookware to furniture. With the grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the USC scientists are establishing the Southern California ...

TMEM219 signaling promotes intestinal cell stem cell death and exacerbates colitis

2025-05-15

An international study led by Paolo Fiorina from Boston Children’s Hospital and in collaboration with researchers from University of Milan highlights the beneficial effect of inhibiting the death receptor TMEM219 to restore mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel diseases. Findings were published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Fiorina and colleagues demonstrated that the pharmacological blockade of TMEM219 signal through a recombinant protein based on the extracellular portion of the TMEM219 receptor is able to preserve self-renewal ability of intestinal stem cells in inflammatory bowel disease, protect intestinal stem cells from cell death induced ...

MS heroes unite in Phoenix for CMSC 2025!

2025-05-15

Join the world’s leading MS experts, clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates as they assemble for the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting, May 28-31 in Phoenix. AZ—North America’s ultimate destination for those dedicated to transforming MS care. This year’s theme, “MS Heroes Unite,” honors the remarkable individuals driving progress across all fronts of MS—from cutting-edge science to compassionate, comprehensive care. Featured Hero Lectures include: June Halper Memorial Lecture; The Evolution ...

Stretched in a cross pattern: Our neighboring galaxy is pulled in two axes

2025-05-15

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have discovered that Cepheid variable stars in our neighboring galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), are moving in opposing directions along two distinct axes. They found that stars closer to Earth move towards the northeast, while more distant stars move southwest. This newly discovered movement pattern exists alongside a northwest-southeast opposing movement that the scientists previously observed in massive stars. These complex bidirectional movements along two different axes indicate that the SMC is being ...

Scientists find the ‘meow-tation’ that gives cats their orange fur

2025-05-15

Fukuoka, Japan—From Tama, Japan’s most famous stationmaster calico cat, to the lasagna-loving, ginger Garfield, cats with orange fur are both cultural icons and beloved pets. But their distinctive color comes with a genetic twist—most orange tabbies are male, while calicos and tortoiseshells are nearly always female. This pattern points to an unknown “orange gene” on the X chromosome, but identifying this gene has eluded scientists for decades. Now, researchers from Kyushu University, Japan, have found the X-linked mutation behind orange fur in house cats. This deletion mutation, a type of mutation where ...

New stem cell model sheds light on human amniotic sac development

2025-05-15

Francis Crick Institute press release Under strict embargo: 16:00hrs BST Thursday 15 May 2025 Peer reviewed Experimental study Cells New stem cell model sheds light on human amniotic sac development Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have developed a new stem cell model of the mature human amniotic sac, which replicates development of the tissues supporting the embryo from two to four weeks after fertilisation. This is the first model of amniotic sac development after two weeks. As described in research published today in Cell, the new model can be used to study the origin ...

Shorter radiation therapy after prostate surgery safe, study finds

2025-05-15

For men who undergo a radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer, post-surgery radiation therapy can play a vital role in reducing the risk of recurrence. Despite its benefits, many patients decline or defer radiation because it requires daily sessions for several weeks. Now, a new study published in JAMA Oncology and led by UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center investigators suggests there may be a faster option. Researchers found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), a form of high-dose radiation delivered in just five sessions, is as safe as conventional treatment, with similar side effects and a similar impact on ...

Long-term survival in patients with low-risk cervical cancer after simple, modified, or radical hysterectomy

2025-05-15

About The Study: In this cohort study, long-term survival was similar following simple hysterectomy vs modified radical hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy, supporting the use of simple hysterectomy in select patients with low-risk early-stage cervical carcinoma. Corresponding Authors: To contact the corresponding authors, email Kathleen M. Darcy, PhD (darcyk@whirc.org) and Christopher M. Tarney (christopher.m.tarney.mil@health.mil). To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.10717) Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, ...

Hearing aid service models, technology, and patient outcomes

2025-05-15

About The Study: The results of this randomized clinical trial suggest that while over-the-counter (OTC) and OTC+ (audiologists provided limited services for OTC hearing aids) service models were effective, they did not achieve the same outcomes as the audiologists fitted prescription hearing aids following best practices service model. As high-end and low-end hearing aids yielded similar outcomes, support for the higher cost of high-end hearing aids was not identified for individuals with mild ...

GSA and GSA Foundation announce record support for the geosciences

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: