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NSF Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Renewal (NSF 13-588) - FAQs

What is this NSF funding opportunity?

This is the National Science Foundation (NSF) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) solicitation for continued, long-duration ecological research at established LTER sites (NSF Publication 13-588; Funding Opportunity Number 13-588). It supports renewal of existing LTER awards to sustain multi-decade research and long-term datasets.

What is the main purpose of the LTER program?

The LTER program exists to address ecological questions that cannot be answered with short-term studies, brief experiments, or limited observation periods. NSF created LTER in 1980 to sustain multi-decade research that reveals slow, cumulative, and sometimes subtle changes in populations, communities, ecosystem processes, and environmental drivers.

Is this solicitation open to new LTER site proposals?

No. This solicitation is strictly for renewals of existing LTER awards and is not open to new site proposals. NSF emphasizes continuity in long-term datasets and ongoing site-based research programs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to organizations with active LTER awards. Only organizations that currently hold active LTER awards may submit proposals under this solicitation.

Who is eligible to serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on a renewal proposal?

Only PIs with active LTER awards are eligible to serve as PI for a renewal submission under this solicitation.

What kind of research does NSF expect from LTER renewal proposals?

Renewal proposals are expected to demonstrate that the site continues to address important, current ecological theory and is positioned to significantly advance understanding of long-term ecological dynamics, not merely document local conditions. Research is expected to be theory-driven, scientifically ambitious, integrative, and often interdisciplinary.

What are the defining features of LTER projects?

LTER projects are described as having three distinguishing features: (1) place-based research anchored at specific sites representing major ecosystem types or natural biomes; (2) long-term study of ecological phenomena built on sustained data collection across five core areas (the established LTER framework); and (3) integrative research that extends beyond any single site through cross-site and network-wide science.

Why does the program emphasize place-based sites?

Sites are selected to represent major ecosystem types or natural biomes so that the overall LTER network captures ecological variation across landscapes and regions, enabling comparisons across different ecosystem contexts.

What does the solicitation mean by "long-term" research?

In this context, long-term research means sustained, long-duration study designed to capture ecological changes and processes that unfold over long time periods, including slow and cumulative changes that short-term projects typically miss.

What are the "five core areas" referenced in the LTER framework?

The solicitation states that long-term measurements are collected across five core areas as part of the established LTER framework for consistent and comparable long-term data collection. (The specific five areas are referenced as an established framework in the provided information, but they are not enumerated here.)

What does "integrative" or "network-wide" science mean for LTER?

It means the research should extend beyond a single site by collaborating across the LTER network to test broad ecological ideas, compare patterns across ecosystem types, and evaluate processes operating over large spatial scales.

What types of approaches are typical or encouraged for successful renewals?

Successful renewal efforts typically connect biological and physical processes, link field observations with experiments and modeling, and collaborate across the LTER network to identify general principles and context-dependent differences among ecosystems.

Are there data sharing or accessibility expectations?

Yes. NSF requires that data collected by all LTER sites be made broadly accessible. This reflects the public value of irreplaceable long-term datasets that can support new analyses, syntheses, and applications beyond the originating site team.

What category of grant is this?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity in the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" category.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this solicitation?

NSF anticipated making about 7 awards under this solicitation.

What was the estimated total funding level?

The estimated total funding level was $8.2 million.

What were the typical award size ranges?

Typical award sizes were listed with a ceiling of $1,280,000 and a floor of $1,127,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the proposal deadline?

The opportunity was posted on August 13, 2013, and the full proposal deadline was March 14, 2014.

What is the archive date for this solicitation?

The archive date is March 21, 2016.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA numbers are 47.050 (Geosciences) and 47.074 (Biological Sciences), reflecting relevance across environmental and biological research.

How must collaborative renewals be submitted?

Collaborative renewals must be submitted as a single proposal following the NSF Grant Proposal Guide method referenced (Chapter II, Section D.4.a.).

Are separately submitted collaborative proposals allowed?

No. The solicitation specifies that separately submitted collaborative proposals are not accepted and would be returned without review.

Where can applicants get help for access or technical issues related to submission?

NSF directs applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for access or technical issues.