Biological Oceanography
Supporting fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology across diverse marine environments, focusing on population, community, and ecosystem ecology to enhance understanding of marine and Great Lakes ecosystems.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: August 17, 2026
Funding Amounts: No specified ceiling or floor; typical NSF awards vary, multi-year support possible.
Summary: Supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology in environments from estuaries to the deep sea and Great Lakes.
Description
The Biological Oceanography Program from the U.S. National Science Foundation funds fundamental research to advance understanding of marine and Great Lakes ecosystems. The program welcomes proposals that address population, community, or ecosystem ecology or oceanography with a compelling context, and encourages interdisciplinary research. Supported environments range from estuarine and coastal systems to open ocean and deep sea, as well as the Great Lakes.
Projects may be co-reviewed or co-funded with other NSF programs, particularly within the Division of Ocean Sciences and the Directorate of Biological Sciences. Research topics may include, but are not limited to, ecosystem structure and function, biogeochemical cycles, organismal interactions, and responses to environmental change. Supplements, RAPIDs, and EAGERS may also be considered under this program.
