Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 579
Apply for 12 579
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Nitrogen Improving on Nature" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.074 Biological Sciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 10, 2012 and posted on Jul 10, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 1, 2013 Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (optional) September 07, 2012 required for participation in Ideas Lab otherwise optional Full Proposal Deadline(s) February 01, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $8,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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 Nitrogen Improving on Nature opportunity (NSF Funding Opportunity Number 12-579) is a discretionary research grant program focused on one of agriculture's biggest bottlenecks: making enough nitrogen available to crops without relying so heavily on synthetic fertilizer. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but only a small subset of plants can access atmospheric nitrogen directly through natural partnerships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Most major crops depend on nitrogen already present in the soil in soluble forms, which is why modern agriculture often compensates with nitrogen-based fertilizers. The solicitation frames fertilizer dependence as a major global problem because fertilizers can be expensive and difficult to deploy in developing countries due to cost and infrastructure limitations, and because industrial nitrogen production is energy-intensive and adds to greenhouse gas emissions. It also highlights that a large fraction of applied fertilizer never ends up in the crop; instead, it can be lost to waterways as runoff or converted to greenhouse gases through processes like denitrification, creating serious environmental impacts.
The core goal of the program is to catalyze new, multidisciplinary scientific approaches that increase nitrogen availability to crop plants while maintaining or improving yields, thereby reducing the need for fertilizer inputs. Rather than funding only incremental work, the opportunity is built around an "Ideas Lab" model intended to spark unconventional thinking by bringing together researchers from different disciplines and having them develop concepts collaboratively. The broader vision is twofold: contribute to sustainable food production for a growing global population and simultaneously cut pollution and climate-related emissions associated with fertilizer manufacture and nitrogen losses from farmland.
A defining feature of this solicitation is its joint, transatlantic structure, led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States in partnership with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in the United Kingdom. The program strongly emphasizes US-UK collaboration, aiming to create durable research alliances where each side's expertise produces clear added value. While collaboration is encouraged in full proposals, the solicitation is also set up so US researchers have two routes: they can submit a preliminary proposal through NSF FastLane in order to participate in the Ideas Lab (where the multidisciplinary ideas are shaped and then advanced into full proposals), or they can bypass the Ideas Lab and submit a full proposal directly through FastLane or Grants.gov.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, associated with CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences). NSF anticipated making about 10 awards, with an estimated total program budget of $8,000,000 and an award ceiling of $1,500,000 per grant. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types may apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation text. Key dates include a required preliminary proposal deadline of September 7, 2012 for those seeking Ideas Lab participation (optional for others), and a full proposal deadline of February 1, 2013. The solicitation was posted July 10, 2012, with an archive date of March 1, 2013. For context and coordination with the UK side, the related BBSRC announcement is referenced in the solicitation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Nitrogen Improving on Nature" opportunity (NSF 12-579)?
It is a discretionary research grant opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF) focused on developing new scientific approaches to increase nitrogen availability to crop plants while maintaining or improving yields, with the aim of reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
What problem is this program trying to solve?
The opportunity targets a major bottleneck in agriculture: making enough nitrogen available to crops without depending so heavily on synthetic fertilizers. Most major crops cannot directly use atmospheric nitrogen and instead rely on soluble nitrogen in soils, which has driven widespread fertilizer use.
Why does the solicitation frame fertilizer dependence as a global issue?
The solicitation highlights several reasons: fertilizers can be expensive, they can be difficult to deploy in developing countries due to cost and infrastructure constraints, industrial nitrogen production is energy-intensive, and fertilizer use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental harms.
What environmental impacts related to nitrogen fertilizer are highlighted?
The solicitation notes that a large fraction of applied fertilizer does not end up in the crop. Instead, nitrogen can be lost to waterways as runoff or converted into greenhouse gases through processes such as denitrification, creating significant environmental impacts.
What is the core goal of the program?
The core goal is to catalyze new, multidisciplinary scientific approaches that increase nitrogen availability to crop plants while maintaining or improving yields, thereby reducing the need for fertilizer inputs.
Is the program intended to fund incremental research improvements?
No. The program is explicitly positioned to encourage unconventional, multidisciplinary thinking rather than only incremental work, using an "Ideas Lab" model to help generate and shape novel concepts collaboratively.
What is an "Ideas Lab" in this solicitation?
An Ideas Lab is a collaborative model where researchers from different disciplines are brought together to develop concepts jointly, with the intent of sparking unconventional approaches. In this program, participation can be pursued via a preliminary proposal submitted to NSF.
Do applicants have to participate in the Ideas Lab to apply?
No. US researchers have two routes: (1) submit a preliminary proposal via NSF FastLane to seek participation in the Ideas Lab, or (2) bypass the Ideas Lab and submit a full proposal directly.
What are the submission pathways for US researchers?
US researchers may submit a preliminary proposal through NSF FastLane for Ideas Lab participation (if they want to follow the Ideas Lab route). Alternatively, they may submit a full proposal directly through NSF FastLane or Grants.gov.
What is the program's emphasis on collaboration?
The solicitation strongly emphasizes transatlantic collaboration between the United States and the United Kingdom, aiming to create durable research alliances where each side provides clear added value through complementary expertise.
Which organizations are leading and partnering on this opportunity?
The program is led by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and is partnered with the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Is there a related UK announcement mentioned?
Yes. The solicitation references a related BBSRC announcement for context and coordination with the UK side of the partnership.
What category and CFDA listing is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it is associated with CFDA 47.074 (Biological Sciences).
How many awards did NSF anticipate making?
NSF anticipated making about 10 awards under this opportunity.
What is the estimated total program budget?
The estimated total program budget is $8,000,000.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling is $1,500,000 per grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types may apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation text.
What are the key dates for this funding opportunity?
The solicitation was posted on July 10, 2012. The preliminary proposal deadline (required for those seeking Ideas Lab participation) is September 7, 2012. The full proposal deadline is February 1, 2013. The archive date is March 1, 2013.
Is a preliminary proposal required?
A preliminary proposal is required only for applicants seeking to participate in the Ideas Lab. It is optional for those who choose to bypass the Ideas Lab and submit a full proposal directly.
Where are proposals submitted?
Preliminary proposals (for Ideas Lab participation) are submitted through NSF FastLane. Full proposals may be submitted through NSF FastLane or Grants.gov.
What broader outcomes does the solicitation aim to support?
The broader vision described is to support sustainable food production for a growing global population while reducing pollution and climate-related emissions associated with fertilizer manufacture and nitrogen losses from farmland.
What role does nitrogen play in plant growth, according to the solicitation?
Nitrogen is described as essential for plant growth. However, only a small subset of plants can access atmospheric nitrogen directly through partnerships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria; most major crops rely on nitrogen available in the soil in soluble forms.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) Core Programs
Previous opportunity: Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS) Core Programs
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 12 579
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (12 579) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) Core Programs Apply for 12 581 Funding Number: 12 581 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Core Programs Apply for 12 582 Funding Number: 12 582 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Earthscope SAFOD Management Office (SMO) Apply for 12 574 Funding Number: 12 574 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Engineering and Systems Design Apply for PD 12 1464 Funding Number: PD 12 1464 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Systems Science Apply for PD 12 8085 Funding Number: PD 12 8085 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Catalyzing New International Collaborations Apply for 12 573 Funding Number: 12 573 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| General Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) Apply for PD 13 5342 Funding Number: PD 13 5342 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY13 Coral Reef Conservation Program Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grants Apply for NOAA NOS OCRM 2013 2003459 Funding Number: NOAA NOS OCRM 2013 2003459 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Special Program Announcement for Office of Naval Research DARPA/ONR Field Reversible Thermal Connector (RevCon) Challenge II Apply for 12 SN 0015 Funding Number: 12 SN 0015 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,500 |
| Advanced Computing Initiative (ACI) Apply for W911NF 12 R 0010 Funding Number: W911NF 12 R 0010 Agency: Dept of the Army Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G12AS20063 Funding Number: G12AS20063 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Museum of New Mexico Collections Curation and Analysis Apply for L12AS00158 Funding Number: L12AS00158 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Apply for DE FOA 0000749 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000749 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,050,000 |
| Early Career Research Program Apply for DE FOA 0000751 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000751 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CESU Study of the Geology of NLCS Unit Prehistoric Trackways National Monument , Southern New Mexico Apply for L12AS00146 Funding Number: L12AS00146 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Apply for 12 587 Funding Number: 12 587 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Workshop Opportunities Apply for 12 588 Funding Number: 12 588 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2012 Planetary Mission Data Analysis Apply for NNH12ZDA001N PMDAP Funding Number: NNH12ZDA001N PMDAP Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida Caribbean CESU Apply for G12AS20075 Funding Number: G12AS20075 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Co Prime Sensor Array Signal Processing Apply for 12 SN 0019 Funding Number: 12 SN 0019 Agency: Office of Naval Research 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 "12 579", 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.