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

Proposals accepted anytime

Typical awards range from $5,000 to $5,000,000; estimated total program funding is $100,000,000 annually

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

--- ## Description The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Core Programs support fundamental research and training in evolutionary and ecological processes, focusing on populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. The program encourages projects that elucidate principles explaining the unity and diversity of life and its interactions with the environment across space and time. Supported approaches include field, laboratory, and collection-based studies, as well as observational, manipulative, synthesis, phylogenetic, analytical, statistical, and computational modeling work. Proposals should be directed to one of the core clusters: - Ecosystem Science - Evolutionary Processes - Population and Community Ecology - Systematics and Biodiversity Science Interdisciplinary and cross-scale projects are encouraged. Proposals leveraging NSF-supported data networks, databases, and infrastructure (such as NEON, LTER, EDI, and iDigBio) are welcomed. The DEB is committed to broadening participation in environmental biology and encourages proposals with strong, inclusive recruitment and retention plans for underrepresented groups in science. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime --- ## Funding Amount - Typical awards range from $5,000 to $5,000,000 - Estimated total program funding: $100,000,000 annually - Small Grants (SG): Projects with budgets of $200,000 or less - Approximately 120 new awards are made each year, pending availability of funds --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - U.S.-based accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education (including community colleges), acting on behalf of their faculty members - Non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies directly associated with educational or research activities **Special notes:** - International branch campuses of U.S. IHEs may participate if justified - There are no restrictions on who may serve as PI or on the number of proposals per organization or PI/co-PI --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/) - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required - Proposals must adhere to the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - Proposals must include: - Project Summary (with sections for Overview, Intellectual Merit, and Broader Impacts) - Project Description (up to 15 pages) - Biographical sketches for all senior personnel - Data Management Plan (max 2 pages) - Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan (if applicable) - Letters of Collaboration (if applicable) - REU supplement requests (if applicable) - Collaborators & Other Affiliations (COA) information **Special proposal types** (e.g., Small Grants, NERC/BSF international collaborations, CAREER, RCN, RUI, RAPID, EAGER, RAISE, GOALI, Planning, Conference/Travel) have additional requirements—see solicitation and PAPPG for details. --- ## Additional Information - Research in marine ecology should be directed to the Biological Oceanography Program in the Division of Ocean Sciences. - International collaborative proposals are supported under agreements with the UK’s NERC and Israel’s BSF. - Proposals should demonstrate a strong plan for data sharing and management, and for broadening participation in STEM. - No cost-sharing or matching is required. --- ## External Links - [NSF DEB Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/deb-division-environmental-biology) - [NSF Publication 22-541 (Solicitation)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf22541) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359319) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Program Inquiries | Division of Environmental Biology
(703) 292-8480
[debquestions@nsf.gov](mailto:debquestions@nsf.gov) | | Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | Research.gov Help Desk | 1-800-673-6188
[rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) | | NSF Information Center | (703) 292-5111 | For cluster-specific questions, see: - [Ecosystem Science](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503663&org=DEB&from=home) - [Evolutionary Processes](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503664&org=DEB&from=home) - [Population and Community Ecology](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503665&org=DEB&from=home) - [Systematics and Biodiversity Science](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503666&org=DEB&from=home)

Division of Environmental Biology

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