Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in the Directorate for Biological Sciences | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants (DDIG) opportunity in the Directorate for Biological Sciences is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program designed to provide targeted, partial funding to strengthen and extend Ph.D. dissertation research in selected areas of biology. The central idea is that the dissertation project already exists, and NSF support is intended to improve it by enabling additional work that meaningfully expands the scope, rigor, or impact of the research. In practical terms, this can include helping a doctoral candidate attend and participate in scientific meetings, gain access to specialized research facilities, carry out fieldwork in particular locations, or add new data, methods, or comparative components that deepen the dissertation beyond what is already feasible with current resources.

Programmatically, proposals must fit within the scope of specific NSF biological science units. Eligible topics are those that align with any of the clusters in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). This means the project must clearly map onto those scientific areas and should be framed in a way that matches the aims and expectations of those clusters, including the broader biological significance and the specific contribution the incremental funding will make to the dissertation.

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary, research and development grant under the NSF Biological Sciences CFDA listing 47.074. The program anticipated around 120 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $1,600,000. Individual awards have an upper limit (award ceiling) of $30,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which typically simplifies budgeting for applicants and their institutions. Because the award cap is relatively modest, proposals generally need to be focused and well-justified, with a budget tightly aligned to the specific improvement being proposed rather than general dissertation support.

Eligibility is centered on the doctoral student, but the submission process runs through the institution and the dissertation advisor. To be eligible, the student must have advanced to Ph.D. candidacy by the submission deadline. NSF requires formal documentation of this status: a signed and dated statement confirming advancement to candidacy from an appropriate university official such as the department chair, graduate dean, or a comparable administrator. The student must be enrolled at a U.S. institution, but U.S. citizenship is not required. Even though the student is the primary beneficiary and the research is dissertation-based, the proposal must be submitted through regular organizational channels by the dissertation advisor(s) on behalf of the graduate student, consistent with how NSF typically handles institutional responsibility and grants administration.

The opportunity referenced Funding Opportunity Number 13-568 (NSF Publication 13-568). Historically, it listed an original closing date of October 10, 2013, and indicated a recurring annual deadline pattern described as the second Thursday in October. A later listed closing date was October 8, 2015, and the opportunity was ultimately archived on November 10, 2018. For applicants trying to locate the full announcement details, the funding notice points to NSF Publication 13-568 as the authoritative reference.

For support issues related to accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, the contact provided is the NSF Grants.gov support email at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov. This is intended for technical or access problems rather than scientific fit questions, which are typically handled through NSF program channels in the relevant division or cluster.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Science Foundation

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: Establishment of 2013 Bandelier Conservation Corps

Previous opportunity: ROSES 2013 Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for 13 568

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (13 568) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "13 568", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.