Opportunity Information: Apply for 14 527
Apply for 14 527
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Genealogy of Life" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2014 and posted on Dec 23, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by This opportunity has been archived.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Genealogy of Life (GoLife) grant opportunity was a discretionary research program designed to accelerate progress toward a comprehensive, open-access evolutionary tree of life and to connect that phylogenetic backbone to rich biological data about organisms. The core idea behind the program is that much of modern comparative biology, from systematics and evolutionary biology to ecology, depends on knowing how living and extinct organisms are related. By organizing Earths biodiversity into a well-supported phylogenetic framework, scientists can more confidently study how traits evolved, how lineages diversified, how ecosystems assembled, and how biodiversity responds to environmental change across deep time and in the present.
GoLife aimed to fund projects that both resolve phylogenetic history and improve integration between phylogenies and key data layers, including genomic information, phenotypes (observable traits), geographic and spatial distributions, ecological interactions, and temporal data (for example, fossil ages or historical occurrence records). The long-term vision described in the solicitation was a universal Genealogy of Life that functions as a shared knowledge infrastructure: a publicly accessible comparative framework that researchers can use to test broad questions about evolution and biodiversity, synthesize results across many groups of organisms, and support predictive modeling about future evolutionary and ecological dynamics. In practice, this emphasis signaled interest in work that does not just build another tree for a narrow purpose, but contributes efficiently to a more complete, interoperable, and reusable tree-of-life resource.
A defining feature of the program was its stress on efficiency and scalability. Proposals were expected to show how they would speed up contributions toward a complete genealogy of life, whether by improving phylogenetic methods, building pipelines for assembling and updating large phylogenies, enhancing data standards and linkages between trees and organismal databases, or developing approaches that make phylogenetic knowledge easier to reuse across studies and disciplines. The integration component was not an optional add-on; it was framed as essential for creating a grand synthesis of biodiversity and evolutionary science, where phylogenies serve as the organizing structure that connects disparate kinds of biological evidence into a coherent, analyzable whole.
The opportunity also placed clear weight on workforce development. Beyond producing scientific outputs and infrastructure, GoLife sought to train the next generation of integrative phylogenetic biologists. Projects were expected to include training plans that expose students and early-career researchers to multidisciplinary research spanning areas like genomics, morphology, ecology, informatics, biogeography, and paleontology. The program language highlighted preparing trainees for diverse careers, implying that proposals should go beyond narrow technical training and instead cultivate broadly transferable skills relevant to academic research, data-intensive science, and other science and technology paths.
In terms of administrative details, this was an NSF grant program (Funding Opportunity Number 14-527) in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, associated with CFDA numbers 47.050 (Geosciences) and 47.074 (Biological Sciences). NSF anticipated making about six awards with an estimated total funding level of $10,000,000, and it did not require cost sharing or matching. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant types could apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement. The original proposal deadline listed was March 26, 2014, with the fourth Wednesday in March noted as the annual target thereafter, but the specific opportunity referenced here has since been archived (archive date December 18, 2014). The solicitation pointed applicants to NSF Publication 14-527 for the full announcement and provided standard NSF/Grants.gov support contact information for access and submission issues.
Overall, GoLife can be understood as an infrastructure-plus-science program: it sought fundamental advances in reconstructing the history of life, while simultaneously building the data connections and open resources that let the broader community use those phylogenies to answer large-scale questions about biodiversity through time, across the planet, and into the future.
Genealogy of Life (GoLife) - NSF Grant FAQs
What is the NSF Genealogy of Life (GoLife) program?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Genealogy of Life (GoLife) program was a discretionary research initiative designed to accelerate progress toward a comprehensive, open-access evolutionary tree of life and to connect that phylogenetic backbone to rich biological data about organisms.
What was the main goal of GoLife?
The main goal was to speed progress toward a universal, publicly accessible Genealogy of Life that serves as shared knowledge infrastructure: a comparative framework researchers can use to study evolution, biodiversity, and how organisms are related across deep time and the present.
Why did GoLife emphasize building an evolutionary tree of life?
The program description emphasized that many areas of modern comparative biology (including systematics, evolutionary biology, and ecology) depend on understanding how living and extinct organisms are related. A well-supported phylogenetic framework helps scientists study how traits evolved, how lineages diversified, how ecosystems assembled, and how biodiversity responds to environmental change.
What kinds of projects did GoLife aim to fund?
GoLife aimed to fund projects that (1) resolve phylogenetic history and (2) improve integration between phylogenies and key biological data layers, supporting broad synthesis and reuse across disciplines.
What does "integration" mean in the context of GoLife?
Integration referred to linking phylogenies (evolutionary trees) to other major data types so that trees become an organizing structure for broader biological evidence. The opportunity described integration as essential, not optional.
What data layers were highlighted for integration with phylogenies?
The solicitation highlighted integration with genomic information, phenotypes (observable traits), geographic and spatial distributions, ecological interactions, and temporal data such as fossil ages or historical occurrence records.
Did GoLife focus only on building trees for narrow research questions?
No. The program emphasized contributions that efficiently advance a more complete, interoperable, and reusable tree-of-life resource rather than producing a tree for a narrow purpose.
What was the long-term vision for GoLife?
The long-term vision was a universal Genealogy of Life that functions as shared, open infrastructure: a publicly accessible comparative framework that helps researchers test broad questions, synthesize results across many organism groups, and support predictive modeling of evolutionary and ecological dynamics.
What did GoLife mean by efficiency and scalability?
GoLife stressed approaches that speed up and scale contributions toward a complete genealogy of life. Examples mentioned included improving phylogenetic methods, building pipelines for assembling and updating large phylogenies, enhancing data standards and linkages between trees and databases, and making phylogenetic knowledge easier to reuse across studies and disciplines.
Were method and pipeline development appropriate under GoLife?
Yes. The program explicitly described interest in improving phylogenetic methods and developing pipelines for assembling and updating large phylogenies as ways to accelerate progress toward a complete genealogy of life.
How important was open access in GoLife?
Open access was central to the program framing. GoLife was described as accelerating progress toward a comprehensive, open-access evolutionary tree of life intended to be publicly accessible and broadly reusable.
Did GoLife include workforce development expectations?
Yes. Workforce development was a clear emphasis. Projects were expected to include training plans to help prepare the next generation of integrative phylogenetic biologists.
Who were the intended trainees in GoLife projects?
The program language specifically referenced students and early-career researchers as trainees who should be exposed to multidisciplinary research and broadly transferable skills.
What kinds of disciplinary exposure did GoLife expect in training plans?
Training plans were expected to expose trainees to multidisciplinary areas spanning genomics, morphology, ecology, informatics, biogeography, and paleontology.
Did GoLife encourage training for diverse career paths?
Yes. The program highlighted preparing trainees for diverse careers, implying an emphasis on broadly transferable skills relevant to academic research, data-intensive science, and other science and technology pathways.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for GoLife?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed was 14-527.
What NSF publication was associated with the full announcement?
The solicitation pointed applicants to NSF Publication 14-527 for the full announcement.
What activity category was GoLife listed under?
It was listed under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.
Which CFDA numbers were associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was associated with CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences) and CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences).
How much funding did NSF anticipate for GoLife overall?
NSF anticipated an estimated total funding level of $10,000,000.
About how many awards did NSF anticipate making under GoLife?
NSF anticipated making about six awards.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant types could apply, subject to any additional clarifications in the full announcement.
What was the proposal deadline for the original GoLife solicitation?
The original proposal deadline listed was March 26, 2014.
Was there an annual target deadline mentioned?
Yes. The fourth Wednesday in March was noted as the annual target thereafter.
Is this GoLife opportunity still open?
No. The specific opportunity referenced has been archived, with an archive date of December 18, 2014.
Where were applicants directed for help with access and submission issues?
The solicitation provided standard NSF/Grants.gov support contact information for access and submission issues.
How can GoLife be summarized in terms of program focus?
GoLife was described as an infrastructure-plus-science program: it aimed for fundamental advances in reconstructing the history of life while also building open resources and data connections that allow the broader community to use phylogenies to answer large-scale biodiversity questions through time and across the planet.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational Program
Previous opportunity: Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG)
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 14 527
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (14 527) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace Secure, Trustworthy, Assured and Resilient Semiconductors and Systems Apply for 14 528 Funding Number: 14 528 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU Apply for G14AS00021 Funding Number: G14AS00021 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for G14AS00022 Funding Number: G14AS00022 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest Apply for G14AS00020 Funding Number: G14AS00020 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Funding Opportunity Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science, Technology, Engineering Apply for ONRFOA14 002 Funding Number: ONRFOA14 002 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Access to the Radio Spectrum Apply for 14 529 Funding Number: 14 529 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Folded Non Natural Polymers with Biological Function (Fold F(x)) Apply for DARPA BAA 14 13 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 14 13 Agency: DARPA Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program Continuation Application Apply for DHS 14 DN 130 NF NC0001 Funding Number: DHS 14 DN 130 NF NC0001 Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,405,000 |
| Data Infrastructure Building Blocks Apply for 14 530 Funding Number: 14 530 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Cyber Innovation for Sustainability Science and Engineering Apply for 14 531 Funding Number: 14 531 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Postdoctoral Fellowships at NAWCWD, China Lake, CA. Apply for N68936 14 R 0023 Funding Number: N68936 14 R 0023 Agency: NAVAIR Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Fish and Wildlife Service Apply for F14AS00051 Funding Number: F14AS00051 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2013 PACE Science Team Apply for NNH13ZDA001N PACEST Funding Number: NNH13ZDA001N PACEST Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Apply for 14 532 Funding Number: 14 532 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G14AS00023 Funding Number: G14AS00023 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Solid Rocket Mortors Project Apply for FOA RQKM 2014 0007 Funding Number: FOA RQKM 2014 0007 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biological Surveys Apply for F14AS00057 Funding Number: F14AS00057 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $49,180 |
| ROSES 2013 Earth Science Applications WATER RESOURCES Apply for NNH13ZDA001N WATER Funding Number: NNH13ZDA001N WATER Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2013 EARTH SCIENCE APPLICATIONS HEALTH AND AIR QUALITY Apply for NNH13ZDA001N HEALTH Funding Number: NNH13ZDA001N HEALTH Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC) Pilots Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for 2014 NIST NSTIC 01 Funding Number: 2014 NIST NSTIC 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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 "14 527", 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.