The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Near-Surface (NS) Geophysical Research Endowment helps potential key contributors in the field of near-surface geophysics. The award is funded by the Near-Surface Geophysics Section of SEG.

Applicants may apply for the NS Research Award from 1 January–31 March annually.

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About Near-Surface Geophysics

Near-surface geophysics involves the application of geophysical methods to the study of subsurface targets primarily associated with hydrogeological and environmental studies, earthquake hazard assessment, geotechnical evaluation, archeological investigations, and agricultural studies. Depths of investigation may range from less than a meter to approximately a kilometer.

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Intent of the Award

  • Provide research grants to support undergraduate or graduate students in good standing and enrolled in a relevant academic program at an accredited institution.
  • Student recipients must be engaged in near-surface geophysics research.
  • Awards are intended to offset expenses directly related to the awardee’s near-surface geophysics research.
  • Near surface geophysics typically involves the application of geophysical techniques to the study of subsurface targets other than oil & gas. Depths of investigation may range from less than a meter to greater than a kilometer, and applications include (but are not limited to) hydrogeologic studies, earthquake hazard assessment, geotechnical evaluation, archeological investigations, and agricultural studies.
  • Award funds may be used to offset expenses relating to field data acquisition, laboratory studies, specialized computer software, or other activities relating to the completion of a student’s research program.

Selection of Recipients

  • Recipients must be current undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing, attending an accredited institution, and enrolled in a relevant academic program.
  • The applicant must have a paid SEG Membership.
  • Recipients will be selected by the SEG Evaluations Subcommittee according to established committee procedures.
  • Research Award applicants must submit their application online.
  • Applications must include most recent transcript, signed letter of support from the student’s primary faculty research advisor, a research proposal (maximum of two pages) outlining merits of the research, and a brief statement of the need for funding.
  • Selection is based primarily on the quality of the research proposal, considering:
    • Relevance and importance of proposed research
    • Likelihood of proposed research approach to yield meaningful answers to proposed research
    • The likely impact of the research grant on the student’s ability to conduct the proposed research (financial need)
  • Selection will also consider the applicant’s capability for conducting the proposed research as well as their academic credentials, as determined from their transcript and their faculty research advisor’s letter of support.
  • Preference will be given to students pursuing a graduate degree.
  • Strong preference will be given to proposals addressing research topics other than oil & gas exploration.

View Past Near Surface Research Award Recipients

View Past NS Views Student Article Prize Recipients

Your Donations Help

Join the team! We welcome your help in providing much needed research funding to our Near-surface students around the globe. Please consider making a contribution now to the SEG Near-Surface Geophysical Research Award endowment fund through the SEG Foundation.

Online giving is made easy by clicking SEG Program Support on the Foundation’s donation page, and then typing “SEG Near Surface Geophysical Research Award” in the Donor Note. If making a gift by check, please make it payable to SEG Foundation, include NS Research Award on the memo, and mail it to 125 West 15th Street, Suite #100 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-3801. Thank you for your support!

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