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NSF Evolutionary Processes (PD 09-1127) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NSF Evolutionary Processes funding opportunity (PD 09-1127)?

It is an NSF Biological Sciences funding opportunity designed to support research that explains how evolutionary change occurs within populations over short time spans and how those same mechanisms scale up to produce broader, long-term evolutionary patterns.

2) What kinds of evolutionary questions does this opportunity prioritize?

The core emphasis is on microevolutionary forces and how they generate outcomes such as speciation, phylogeography, and other macroevolutionary consequences. The opportunity emphasizes research on genetically based changes across generations, including the origin and maintenance of genetic variation and molecular signatures left by evolutionary processes at population or species levels.

3) Which microevolutionary forces are specifically called out?

The opportunity highlights mutation, gene flow, recombination, natural selection, genetic drift, and mating patterns (including assortative mating) as key microevolutionary forces of interest.

4) Does NSF expect projects to connect microevolution to macroevolution?

Yes. A central goal is to understand how short-term within-population mechanisms scale up to produce large-scale evolutionary patterns and outcomes, such as speciation and phylogeographic patterns.

5) What does NSF mean by “genetically based changes” in this context?

The opportunity is focused on changes in populations (or higher levels of organization) across generations that have a genetic basis, including work on the origin and maintenance of genetic variation and the molecular signatures produced by evolutionary processes.

6) Is transformative research required or just encouraged?

It is a major priority. NSF explicitly seeks proposals that go beyond incremental advances and instead have the potential to shift conceptual foundations in evolutionary biology or open new directions that broadly influence future research.

7) What kinds of approaches are encouraged (empirical vs. theoretical)?

Both are encouraged. Examples of empirical work include field studies, experiments, genomic datasets, and comparative datasets. Examples of theoretical work include modeling, analytical frameworks, simulation methods, and new statistical tools, particularly when they are likely to change how evolutionary questions are framed or answered.

8) How is the Evolutionary Processes Cluster organized?

The Cluster is organized into two programs: the Evolutionary Genetics Program and the Evolutionary Ecology Program. Applicants are expected to submit to one of them depending on the main focus of the proposed work.

9) What is the focus of the Evolutionary Genetics Program?

It supports research centered on the genetic basis of evolutionary change and how micro- and macroevolutionary processes shape genotypes and phenotypes. It includes adaptive and non-adaptive evolution and topics such as population genetics and quantitative genetics approaches to complex traits, mechanisms that maintain genetic variation, and how gene properties and genetic architecture influence evolutionary outcomes at or above the population level.

10) What specific topics are mentioned under Evolutionary Genetics?

Examples include: evolution of complex traits using population genetics and quantitative genetics; mechanisms and conditions maintaining genetic variation; how gene number, arrangement, interaction patterns, and genetic architecture influence outcomes; how genetic architectures evolve; and multi-species comparisons that connect genetics to aspects of development in an evolutionary context.

11) What is the focus of the Evolutionary Ecology Program?

It focuses on how ecological interactions drive and are shaped by evolution. It supports research on evolutionary causes and consequences arising from interactions within species, between species, and with the abiotic environment.

12) What example research areas are mentioned under Evolutionary Ecology?

Examples include identifying selective pressures from biotic or abiotic conditions and measuring evolutionary responses; phenotypic plasticity and its evolutionary implications; life history evolution; and evolutionary studies of interspecific relationships (predator-prey, competition, cooperation, mutualism, parasitism, symbiosis). It also includes research on ongoing evolution of biodiversity, dynamics of natural and sexual selection, and phylogenetic foundations of community assembly.

13) If my project spans genetics and ecology, can it still fit?

Yes. NSF notes evolutionary research can cross program boundaries, and the Evolutionary Processes Cluster often co-reviews proposals with other units in the Biological Sciences Directorate.

14) When might a proposal be routed outside the Evolutionary Processes Cluster?

As a general routing guide, proposals primarily about molecular genetic mechanisms and the structure, maintenance, expression, transfer, regulation, or stability of genetic information in DNA, RNA, chromosomes, or proteins are generally handled by the Genes and Genome Systems Cluster in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Work focused on the evolution of physiological or developmental mechanisms tends to fall under programs in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems.

15) Who can help determine the best program fit before submission?

NSF indicates that Program Officers are available to help investigators identify the best program fit before submission, especially for projects blending ecology, evolution, genomics, physiology, and development.

16) What is the funding category and CFDA number for this opportunity?

It is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category, listed under CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences).

17) Approximately how many awards does NSF anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates around 50 awards.

18) What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount is $15,663,000.

19) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that it does not require cost sharing or matching.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity as allowed by NSF policies and any clarifications in the full solicitation.

21) When are proposals due?

Proposal deadlines are recurring annually, with target/deadline dates of January 9 and July 9 each year (as reflected in the announcement).

22) Where should applicants go for submission or access issues?

For technical issues related to access and submission logistics, NSF directs applicants to Grants.gov support.

23) Who should applicants contact with questions about fit and submission pathways?

NSF indicates that program contacts can assist with questions about program fit and submission pathways.

24) What types of outcomes or impacts does NSF appear to be seeking?

Based on the stated priorities, NSF is seeking research that explains mechanisms of evolutionary change, links microevolutionary processes to larger-scale patterns, and is transformative in a way that can reshape conceptual foundations or open influential new research directions in evolutionary biology.