GEO Advisory Committee Membership Balance Plan

  1. Name
    Advisory Committee for Geosciences, #1755 
     
  2. Authority 
    The Committee is established in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. 10 and the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §1861 etc. seq. 
     
  3. Mission/Function 
    The Committee will review and advise on the impact of research support programs in the disciplines and fields encompassed by the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO). The committee will advise GEO on program management, overall program balance, and other aspects of program performance. The committee will advise as to the impact of overall NSF-wide policies on the GEO community. 

    The Committee will
    • Provide advice, recommendations and oversight concerning support for the NSF's geosciences research and education portfolio. 
    • Be a base of contact with the scientific community to inform NSF of the impact of its research support and NSF-wide policies on the scientific community. 
    • Serve as a forum for consideration of geosciences initiatives and research thrusts. 
    • Provide broad input into long-range plans and partnership opportunities. 
    • Perform oversight of program management, overall program balance, and other aspects of program performance for geoscience activities 
       
  4. Points of View 
    The Committee consists of approximately 20-25 members each appointed by the Assistant Director of Geosciences. Membership will rotate on the basis of approximately 3 year terms. Primary considerations are: 
     
    • Membership should have recognized pertinent knowledge, expertise and/or demonstrated ability. 
    • Within reasonable limits, members’ fields of specialty should be complementary within the group. 

      Federal employee members will be designated as Regular Government Employees (RGEs). Individuals outside the federal government will be designated Special Government Employees (SGEs). The members will provide committees with their own best independent judgment based on their individual expertise. 
       
  5. Other Balance Factors 
    To the extent possible, other factors to be considered are
    • Qualified individuals reflecting small, medium, and large organizations, as well as public and private organizations 
    • Qualified individuals reflecting underrepresented groups, such as ethnic minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities 
    • Qualified individuals reflecting a range of career stages 
    • Qualified individuals reflecting different geographical areas
       
  6. Candidate Identification Process 
    On behalf of the Assistant Director for Geosciences, GEO staff will solicit suggestions for potential members from a wide range of sources, including but not limited to senior NSF management, knowledgeable NSF program staff, other Federal agencies, and recommendations from the public including self-nominations.

    Suggestions will be reviewed, and potential candidates will be identified taking into consideration professional and personal qualifications, experience, fields of expertise, and other balance factors. A short list of the best qualified candidates will be developed and discussed. The Assistant Director for Geosciences will identify the top candidates and they will be contacted for interest and availability. 

    When a vacancy occurs and it is determined that a replacement is necessary, the list of suggestions will be used as a source for potential replacements.
     
  7. Subcommittee Balance 
    The process used to determine advisory committee member balance for the Committee will be used for subcommittees that may be created.
     
  8. Other
    There are currently no other known factors affecting the balance of the Committee.
     
  9. Date Reviewed
    This "Membership Balance Plan" reviewed on 5/15/23.
     

Electronically signed by Dr. Alexandra R. Isern, Assistant Director, Directorate for Geosciences on May 15, 2023.

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