Opportunity Information: Apply for 11 518
Apply for 11 518
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dimensions of Biodiversity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050 Geosciences 47.074 Biological Sciences 47.078 Polar Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 30, 2010 and posted on Dec 30, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 28, 2011 Full Proposal Deadline(s) March 28, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $15,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled Dimensions of Biodiversity (Funding Opportunity Number 11-518) is a research funding program aimed at accelerating how science documents, explains, and uses knowledge about life on Earth. The core problem it targets is that, even after centuries of biological exploration, a large share of the planet's biodiversity is still undescribed or poorly understood. That gap is becoming more urgent because biodiversity is being lost rapidly and often permanently, which weakens ecosystem services people rely on, limits what we can learn about the evolutionary history of life, and reduces future options for discoveries and applications in areas like agriculture, materials, energy, medicine, and bio-inspired technologies.
The program's overarching goal is to transform, by 2020, the way biodiversity is described and understood, emphasizing integrated approaches that connect what organisms are present, how they are related, and what they do in ecosystems. In practical terms, NSF is looking for projects that can fill major blind spots in our understanding of the diversity of life by using innovative methods and by explicitly tying together multiple "dimensions" of biodiversity. In its initial phase, the solicitation highlights three dimensions that must be integrated within a successful proposal: genetic diversity (for example, DNA-based approaches and genomic variation), taxonomic diversity (discovering, describing, and classifying organisms), and functional diversity (traits and roles that organisms play in ecological processes). A defining feature of this opportunity is that proposals are expected to address these dimensions simultaneously rather than treating them as separate lines of work, and to show how interactions and feedbacks among them shape important ecological and evolutionary dynamics, both in modern environments and, where relevant, through geologic time.
In terms of funding details, the opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. NSF anticipated making about 10 awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $15,000,000. The program is associated with CFDA numbers spanning multiple NSF directorates and offices, including Geosciences (47.050), Biological Sciences (47.074), and Polar Programs (47.078), reflecting its broad scientific scope and its openness to biodiversity research across a wide range of systems and regions. Cost sharing or matching is required, which means applicants should be prepared to document and commit non-NSF resources according to the solicitation rules.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to any type of applicant organization, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement (NSF Publication 11-518). The full proposal deadline for this cycle was March 28, 2011 (posted December 30, 2010). NSF also signals that prospective investigators can informally check whether a project idea fits the program by emailing a brief summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov. For access or technical issues with the announcement, the notice points applicants to NSF's Grants.gov support channel (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity (11-518)
What is the NSF "Dimensions of Biodiversity" funding opportunity?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Dimensions of Biodiversity opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 11-518) is a research funding program intended to accelerate how science documents, explains, and uses knowledge about life on Earth. It supports projects that address major gaps in what is known about biodiversity, especially in light of rapid and often permanent biodiversity loss.
What core problem is this program trying to address?
The program targets the fact that, despite centuries of biological exploration, a substantial portion of Earth's biodiversity remains undescribed or poorly understood. This knowledge gap is increasingly urgent because biodiversity is being lost quickly, which can weaken ecosystem services, limit what we can learn about evolution, and reduce future opportunities for discoveries and applications (for example, in agriculture, materials, energy, medicine, and bio-inspired technologies).
What is the overarching goal of the program?
The overarching goal is to transform, by 2020, the way biodiversity is described and understood. The solicitation emphasizes integrated approaches that connect what organisms are present, how they are related, and what they do in ecosystems.
What does NSF mean by "dimensions" of biodiversity in this solicitation?
In its initial phase, the solicitation highlights three dimensions that must be integrated within a successful proposal: genetic diversity, taxonomic diversity, and functional diversity. The defining expectation is that proposals address these dimensions simultaneously and show how they interact and feed back on one another.
Which three dimensions must be integrated in a successful proposal?
The solicitation identifies three required, integrated dimensions:
- Genetic diversity (for example, DNA-based approaches and genomic variation)
- Taxonomic diversity (discovering, describing, and classifying organisms)
- Functional diversity (traits and roles organisms play in ecological processes)
Is it acceptable to treat genetic, taxonomic, and functional diversity as separate project components?
Based on the solicitation summary provided, proposals are expected to address these dimensions together rather than as separate lines of work. A strong proposal should explicitly connect the dimensions and explain how interactions and feedbacks among them shape ecological and evolutionary dynamics.
What kinds of scientific dynamics is NSF looking for projects to address?
Projects are expected to show how interactions and feedbacks among genetic, taxonomic, and functional diversity shape important ecological and evolutionary dynamics in modern environments and, where relevant, through geologic time.
What is the type of funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making, and what was the estimated total funding level?
NSF anticipated making about 10 awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $15,000,000.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The program is associated with multiple CFDA numbers spanning NSF directorates and offices, including:
- Geosciences (47.050)
- Biological Sciences (47.074)
- Polar Programs (47.078)
This reflects the program's broad scope and openness to biodiversity research across many systems and regions.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to document and commit non-NSF resources according to the solicitation rules.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to any type of applicant organization, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement (NSF Publication 11-518).
When was the proposal deadline for this cycle?
The full proposal deadline for this cycle was March 28, 2011. The opportunity was posted December 30, 2010.
How can a prospective investigator check whether an idea fits the program?
NSF indicates that prospective investigators can informally check fit by emailing a brief summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov.
Where can applicants get help with access or technical issues related to the announcement?
For access or technical issues with the announcement, the notice points applicants to NSF's Grants.gov support channel at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
What should applicants consult for the complete program rules and details?
The full announcement is identified as NSF Publication 11-518. Any additional eligibility clarifications, cost sharing requirements, and submission rules would be specified there.
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