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

Proposals accepted anytime

$5,000–$5,000,000 per award | ~$100M available annually | Typical duration 1–5 years

Supports research and training on evolutionary and ecological processes at the levels of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.

--- ## Description The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) supports fundamental research and training to advance understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes across populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. The program encourages proposals that address the unity and diversity of life and its interactions with the environment over space and time, using field, laboratory, collection-based, observational, manipulative, synthesis, phylogenetic, or theoretical approaches. Proposals should be directed to one of the DEB core clusters: - Ecosystem Science - Evolutionary Processes - Population and Community Ecology - Systematics and Biodiversity Science Interdisciplinary projects that cross conceptual boundaries or integrate multiple spatial and temporal scales are encouraged. DEB welcomes research that leverages NSF-supported infrastructure such as NEON, LTER, EDI, and iDigBio. Proposals are expected to include strong broader impacts, especially those that recruit and retain individuals from groups historically underrepresented in the biological sciences. Special categories include Small Grants (≤$200,000), international collaborations (with UK NERC or Israel BSF), Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO), and support for undergraduate/post-baccalaureate research experiences. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime (no deadlines for core programs, Small Grants, IntBIO, and most special categories) - For CAREER, MCA, and other NSF-wide programs, consult their respective solicitations for specific deadlines --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: ~$100,000,000 annually - Award size: $5,000 (minimum) to $5,000,000 (maximum) per award - Typical project duration: 1–5 years - ~120 new awards anticipated each year, subject to availability of funds - Small Grants: ≤$200,000 total budget (REU supplements may exceed this cap) --- ## Eligibility - U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (2- and 4-year, including community colleges) accredited in the U.S. and acting on behalf of their faculty - U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with educational or research activities (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) - International branch campuses of U.S. IHEs may participate with justification - No restrictions on who may serve as PI or co-PI - No limit on number of proposals per PI, co-PI, or organization --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted at any time via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) - Letters of Intent and preliminary proposals are not required - Follow the NSF [Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) for preparation instructions - Proposals must include: - Project description (max 15 pages, with separate Broader Impacts section) - Data Management Plan (max 2 pages) - Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan (if applicable) - Safe and Inclusive Work Environments Plan (if off-campus/off-site research is proposed) - Budget and justification - Biographical sketches (NSF format) - Supplementary documents as required for special categories (e.g., international collaborations, REU/RET supplements) - Special track proposal titles must include the appropriate prefix (e.g., "SG:", "IntBIO:", "NSFDEB-NERC:", etc.) --- ## Additional Information - Proposals addressing marine ecology should be submitted to the Biological Oceanography Program in the Division of Ocean Sciences - Proposals addressing marine evolutionary/systematics questions should be submitted to the relevant DEB program - Strong emphasis on broadening participation in STEM and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion - International collaborative proposals are supported under NSF-NERC (UK) and NSF-BSF (Israel) agreements (see solicitation for details) - Renewal and Accomplishment-Based Renewal (ABR) proposals are accepted - RAPID, EAGER, RAISE, GOALI, planning, conference, and travel proposals may be submitted at any time (contact a program officer for guidance) - Use the [Program Suitability and Proposal Concept Tool (ProSPCT)](https://suitability.nsf.gov/s/) for RAPID, EAGER, or RAISE proposals --- ## External Links - [NSF DEB Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/deb-division-environmental-biology) - [Full Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359618) - [NSF 23-549 Solicitation (PDF)](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/solicitations/pubs/2023/nsf23549/nsf23549.pdf?VersionId=xfifNpU4muDxCbkDyi3jVoVeqHp48rgC) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Ecosystem Science 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) - [DEB Supplement Opportunities](https://www.nsf.gov/bio/deb/suppopp.jsp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Notes | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------| | DEB General Inquiries | [debquestions@nsf.gov](mailto:debquestions@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8480 | For programmatic questions | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | For technical/application issues | | Research.gov Help Desk | [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) | 1-800-673-6188 | Technical assistance for Research.gov submissions | | Grants.gov Contact Center | [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) | 1-800-518-4726 | Technical assistance for Grants.gov submissions | For cluster-specific questions, see program links above. ---

Division of Environmental Biology

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