[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

Proposals accepted anytime

$5,000–$5,000,000 per award | ~$100M total program funding annually | Typical project duration up to 5 years

Supports fundamental research and training on evolutionary and ecological processes at population, species, community, and ecosystem levels.

--- ## Description The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Core Track supports research and training that advances understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes acting at the scale of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. The program encourages projects that elucidate the unity and diversity of life and its interactions with the environment across space and time. Research may use field, laboratory, or collection-based approaches; observational or manipulative studies; synthesis activities; phylogenetic discovery; or theoretical and computational modeling. Proposals are welcomed for the following core clusters: - Ecosystem Sciences - Evolutionary Processes - Population and Community Ecology - Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences Interdisciplinary proposals that cross conceptual boundaries or integrate across biological levels or spatial/temporal scales are encouraged. Projects leveraging NSF-supported data networks and infrastructure (e.g., NEON, EDI, iDigBio) are particularly welcomed. Special categories include: - **Bridging Ecology and Evolution (BEE):** Integrative studies of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. - **Small Grants (SG):** Projects with total budgets ≤$200,000. - **Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI):** For eligible institutions, via the RUI solicitation. - **International Collaborations:** Joint research with UK (NERC) or Israeli (BSF) partners. The Rules of Life (RoL) Track supports integrative proposals that span population, species, community, and ecosystem scales, and connect to organismal, cellular, or molecular levels, typically involving more than one BIO division. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there are no fixed deadlines. --- ## Funding Amount - **Award size:** $5,000 (minimum) to $5,000,000 (maximum) per award. - **Estimated total program funding:** Approx. $100,000,000 annually. - **Typical project duration:** Up to 5 years. - **Small Grants:** ≤$200,000. - **Number of awards:** ~120 new awards per year, subject to availability of funds. --- ## Eligibility - **Who may apply:** - U.S.-based institutions of higher education (2- and 4-year, including community colleges) accredited in the U.S. and acting on behalf of faculty. - U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities. - **International branch campuses** of U.S. institutions may be included (with justification). - **No restrictions** on who may serve as PI or on the number of proposals per organization or PI. - **Collaborative proposals**: Other institution types may participate via subawards but with limitations. --- ## Application Process - **Submission platforms:** Proposals may be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - **Required documents:** - Project Summary (1 page) - Project Description (15 pages max) - Biographical Sketches (2 pages each for all senior personnel) - Budget and Budget Justification - Data Management Plan (2 pages max) - Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan (if applicable, 1 page) - Supplementary Documents (letters of collaboration, REU activities, etc.) - Collaborators & Other Affiliations (COA) template - Personnel List Spreadsheet (submitted by email within 1 business day of proposal) - **Special instructions:** - Use the appropriate acronym in the proposal title for special categories (e.g., BEE, SG, RUI, RoL). - International collaborative proposals (NERC or BSF) require additional documentation. - **Review criteria:** National Science Board-approved criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Additional program-specific review criteria may apply. --- ## Additional Information - **No cost-sharing required.** - **Indirect cost limitations:** Not applicable. - **Reporting:** Annual and final project reports required via Research.gov. - **Merit review process:** Proposals are reviewed by ad hoc and/or panel reviewers. - **Program clusters:** See individual cluster pages for specific priorities: - [Ecosystem Sciences](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503663) - [Evolutionary Processes](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503664) - [Population and Community Ecology](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503665) - [Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503666) --- ## External Links - [Program Solicitation and Full Details (NSF 20-502)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20502) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Page](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359380) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [DEB Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/deb-division-environmental-biology) - [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/) - [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/) - [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact/Cluster | Email | Phone | |------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------| | General DEB Inquiries | [debquestions@nsf.gov](mailto:debquestions@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8480 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | Ecosystem Sciences Cluster | [Ecosystem Sciences](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503663) | | | Evolutionary Processes Cluster | [Evolutionary Processes](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503664) | | | Population and Community Ecology Cluster | [Population and Community Ecology](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503665) | | | Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences | [Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503666) | | | NERC Collaborative Proposals | [NSFDEB-NERC@nsf.gov](mailto:NSFDEB-NERC@nsf.gov) | | | BSF Collaborative Proposals | [NSFDEB-BSF@nsf.gov](mailto:NSFDEB-BSF@nsf.gov) | | For technical support with FastLane or Research.gov: - FastLane/Research.gov Help Desk: 1-800-673-6188, [fastlane@nsf.gov](mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov), [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) For Grants.gov support: - Grants.gov Contact Center: 1-800-518-4726, [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov)

Division of Environmental Biology

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