Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NSF grant opportunity "Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections" (Funding Opportunity Number 12-565)?

It was a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant opportunity focused on expanding and improving a national digital resource built from vouchered biological and paleontological specimens held in U.S. scientific collections. The main goal was to increase the amount, quality, and usability of digitized specimen data and images so users could more easily discover, access, and analyze information that otherwise remains locked inside physical collections and local databases.

What does "vouchered" mean in this context, and why did the program emphasize it?

"Vouchered" refers to digital records that are anchored to verified physical specimens in scientific collections. The program emphasized vouchered collections because linking data to physical evidence supports scientific reliability and helps enable reproducible research.

What types of collections did this opportunity focus on?

The opportunity focused on biological and paleontological specimens held in U.S. scientific collections, including specimens curated by universities, museums, and other research and education institutions.

What was the main purpose of the program?

A major purpose was to strengthen biodiversity and Earth science research by making specimen-based data broadly accessible and interoperable, increasing discovery and use of specimen data across institutions and users.

What kinds of information can be associated with specimens beyond an identification label?

Specimen records can include geographic location, paleogeographic context, stratigraphic distribution (especially for paleontology), environmental and habitat information, phenology (timing of life cycle events), relationships with associated organisms, collector field notes, tissues, and molecular data derived from the specimens.

How could improved digitization and access to specimen data be used in research and practice?

Better digitization and access can support studies of biodiversity patterns through space and time, tracking environmental change, improving knowledge of species distributions, and identifying gaps where collections and observations are thin. Practical uses mentioned include conservation planning, invasive species monitoring, climate impacts research, disease ecology, and long-term ecological and evolutionary change.

What was meant by building a "national resource" and how was it organized?

The opportunity described a national resource organized at three interconnected levels: (1) a central coordinating organization, (2) a set of thematic networks organized around major research themes, and (3) the underlying physical collections. This structure was intended to coordinate many independent institutions and datasets into a single system rather than disconnected digitization efforts.

Why did the program emphasize coordination across institutions instead of isolated digitization projects?

The structure was meant to tie together independent institutions and datasets into a coordinated system, improving interoperability and usefulness compared with a patchwork of separate, unconnected efforts.

How did this opportunity relate to prior investments in collections?

The program built on prior national investments in the curation and stewardship of physical specimens and aimed to amplify the scientific return on those investments by making specimen-associated information easier to use in modern, data-driven research and technology development.

What NSF funding category was this opportunity associated with?

It was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with ties to both Geosciences (CFDA 47.050) and Biological Sciences (CFDA 47.074).

How much funding did NSF anticipate for this program, and how many awards were expected?

NSF anticipated approximately 12 awards with an estimated total program funding of $10,000,000.

What was the expected size of individual awards?

Individual awards were expected to be large, with a stated award floor of $3,000,000 and a ceiling of $5,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation did not require cost sharing or matching.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included accredited U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) applying on behalf of faculty; state and local government entities such as state education offices and local school districts; and non-profit non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies associated with education or research activities.

Why did the opportunity include both academic and non-academic organizations as eligible applicants?

The eligibility reflected that many important biodiversity and fossil collections are housed not only in universities but also in museums and other public-serving institutions.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the proposal deadline?

The opportunity was originally posted on May 31, 2012. The full proposal deadline was October 19, 2012 (noted as the third Friday in October, annually).

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The record is archived and indicates it was replaced by NSF opportunity 13-569, with an archive date of September 16, 2013.

What opportunity replaced NSF 12-565?

The archived record indicates it was replaced by NSF opportunity 13-569.

Where was applicants' support directed for access issues related to Grants.gov?

For access issues, NSF directed users to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

What document was referenced as the primary announcement for this opportunity?

NSF Publication 12-565 was referenced as the primary announcement document.

What was the intended outcome of the program overall?

The program aimed to accelerate the transition of U.S. biodiversity and paleontological collections into a modern digital infrastructure by supporting coordinated, large-scale efforts that improve discovery, standardization, access, and long-term research value of specimen-based data and images.

What broader scientific and societal challenges was the program intended to help address?

The intended outcome was a more complete and usable national evidence base for understanding life on Earth, past and present, and for tackling scientific and societal challenges that depend on trustworthy biodiversity information, including conservation planning, invasive species monitoring, climate impact studies, and disease ecology.