Division of Integrative Organismal Systems | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) grant opportunity (NSF Publication 11-572; Funding Opportunity Number 11 572) supports basic research that explains how and why organisms are built the way they are and how they function. The central idea is that the organism is the key unit of biological organization, so proposed projects should be framed around organism-level questions rather than focusing only on isolated genes, cells, or molecules. IOS encourages researchers to use integrative and systems-oriented approaches that connect multiple levels of biology and that can produce broader conceptual or theoretical advances, including testable predictions about emergent properties of organisms (in other words, traits or behaviors that arise from interactions among components and cannot be fully understood by studying each part alone).

The scientific scope is intentionally broad across organismal biology. Relevant topics explicitly include developmental biology and the evolution of developmental processes; nervous system development, structure, and function; physiological mechanisms and regulation; functional morphology and biomechanical design; symbioses and other close biological partnerships; organism interactions with both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) environments; and animal behavior. In practice, the opportunity is aimed at studies that integrate across these areas or that link mechanism to function, and function to ecological or evolutionary context. IOS welcomes proposals across all research areas the division supports, reflecting NSF's emphasis on fundamental discovery in biological science and the development of generalizable understanding rather than strictly applied outcomes.

A defining feature of this opportunity is its required preliminary proposal process for investigator-initiated submissions to IOS core programs. Beginning July 13, 2011, IOS shifted to an invitation-only model for full proposals: investigators must first submit a preliminary proposal, and only those that are invited may submit a full research proposal. Unsolicited full proposals are not accepted into the IOS Core Programs under this solicitation. This structure is meant to manage review workload and help ensure that full proposals align well with program priorities before applicants invest in a complete submission.

There is also a firm annual submission limit tied to the preliminary stage. Each investigator may submit no more than two preliminary proposals per year within the single annual submission window, counting roles as PI, Co-PI, or Lead Senior Investigator on a subaward. That limit applies specifically to submissions in response to this solicitation and does not include proposals submitted under other NSF solicitations, which matters for investigators who pursue multiple NSF programs at the same time.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, listed under CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences). The opportunity indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full solicitation text. The posting date was Aug 25, 2011, with an original closing cycle showing preliminary proposals due Jan 12 (annually thereafter) and full proposals due Aug 2 (annually thereafter) by invitation only. The archived record shows an estimated total funding level of about $55,000,000 and an expectation of roughly 200 awards, indicating a sizable program supporting a broad portfolio of organismal biology research.

For access and support, the announcement points applicants to NSF grants.gov support (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) for technical difficulties obtaining the announcement electronically or issues linking to the funding notice.

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