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

Proposals accepted anytime

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

Supports fundamental research and training on evolutionary and ecological processes in populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.

Proposals must be submitted by eligible U.S. institutions; no fixed deadlines.

--- ## Description The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) at the National Science Foundation supports research and training focused on understanding evolutionary and ecological processes at the population, species, community, and ecosystem levels. The program encourages projects that elucidate the unity and diversity of life and its interactions with the environment across space and time. Research may be field-, laboratory-, or collection-based; observational or manipulative; involve synthesis, phylogenetic discovery, or theoretical approaches such as analytical, statistical, or computational modeling. Proposals should be directed to one of the DEB core clusters: - Ecosystem Sciences - Evolutionary Processes - Population and Community Ecology - Systematics and Biodiversity Sciences Interdisciplinary and integrative proposals that cross conceptual boundaries or scales are encouraged. Projects leveraging NSF-supported data networks and infrastructure (e.g., NEON, LTER, EDI, iDigBio) are welcomed. Special categories include Small Grants (≤$200,000), Bridging Ecology and Evolution (BEE), and international collaborations with UK (NERC) or Israel (BSF). Proposals addressing marine ecology should be directed to the appropriate NSF program. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime (no deadlines) --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: ~$100,000,000 per year - Award size: $5,000 to $5,000,000 per award - Typical project duration: up to 5 years - Small Grants: up to $200,000 - Approximately 120 new awards made annually, subject to 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 - U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities Special notes: - International branch campuses of U.S. institutions may be included with justification - There are no restrictions on who may serve as PI or on the number of proposals per PI, co-PI, or institution --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted at any time via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) - Follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) for preparation and submission instructions - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required - Required documents include: - Project Summary (1 page: Overview, Intellectual Merit, Broader Impacts) - Project Description (up to 15 pages) - Biographical Sketches (2 pages per senior personnel) - Data Management Plan (max 2 pages) - Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan (if applicable) - Budget and Justification - Supplementary documents as needed (e.g., letters of collaboration, REU plans) Special categories (BEE, Small Grants, NERC/BSF collaborations) require specific title prefixes and, for international collaborations, additional documentation. --- ## Additional Information - Cost sharing is not permitted - Proposals are reviewed using NSF's standard merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts - Proposals from underrepresented groups and regions are strongly encouraged - For international collaborative proposals, see specific submission instructions for NERC (UK) and BSF (Israel) partnerships - Supplement requests for educational activities (e.g., REU, RET, RAHSS, ROA) are available post-award --- ## External Links - [NSF DEB Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=DEB) - [Full Solicitation (NSF 21-504)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf21504) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359332) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Ecosystem Sciences Cluster](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503663&org=DEB&from=home) - [Evolutionary Processes Cluster](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503664&org=DEB&from=home) - [Population and Community Ecology Cluster](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503665&org=DEB&from=home) - [Systematics and Biodiversity Science Cluster](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503666&org=DEB&from=home) --- ## Contact Information | Topic/Cluster | Email/Phone | |------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | General DEB inquiries | [debquestions@nsf.gov](mailto:debquestions@nsf.gov) / (703) 292-8480 | | Ecosystem Science Cluster | [Cluster info](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503663&org=DEB&from=home) | | Evolutionary Processes Cluster | [Cluster info](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503664&org=DEB&from=home) | | Population and Community Ecology Cluster | [Cluster info](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503665&org=DEB&from=home) | | Systematics and Biodiversity Science Cluster | [Cluster info](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503666&org=DEB&from=home) | | NERC (UK) Collaborative Proposals | [NSFDEB-NERC@nsf.gov](mailto:NSFDEB-NERC@nsf.gov) / [international@nerc.ac.uk](mailto:international@nerc.ac.uk) | | BSF (Israel) Collaborative Proposals | [NSFDEB-BSF@nsf.gov](mailto:NSFDEB-BSF@nsf.gov) / [yael@bsf.org.il](mailto:yael@bsf.org.il) | | Research.gov Help Desk | [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) / 1-800-673-6188 | | Grants.gov Support | [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) / 1-800-518-4726 | ---

Division of Environmental Biology

Sign in to see full grant listing