Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology (NSF 15-561)

1) What is the Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology grant opportunity?

The Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology opportunity (NSF Funding Opportunity Number 15-561) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary research grant program in the Geosciences (CFDA 47.050). It funds science and technology research focused on Earth's sedimentary record and the history of life preserved within it.

2) What kinds of research does this program support?

The program is designed to support basic research that uses sediments and fossils to reconstruct how Earth systems and ecosystems have changed through deep time, with an emphasis on understanding processes, timing, and rates recorded in sedimentary rocks and fossil archives.

3) Is this a basic research program or an applied program?

Based on the opportunity description provided, it is a basic research program focused on reconstructing and understanding deep-time Earth and life history using sedimentary and fossil archives.

4) Are there fixed annual deadlines for proposal submission?

No. Proposals are accepted at any time, meaning there is no fixed annual deadline listed in the opportunity summary.

5) What are the main scientific themes or topic areas covered?

The program centers on five broad, interconnected themes: (1) deep-time changes in life, ecology, environments, and biogeography using fossil evidence; (2) the sedimentary lithosphere and sedimentary rock sequences as records of geologic processes and repositories of resources; (3) geologic timekeeping and quantifying rates of change in sedimentary and fossil records; (4) production, transport, and deposition of sediments in modern and ancient settings; and (5) deep-time climate systems prior to the Holocene using sedimentary and paleobiological archives.

6) Does the program support paleobiology and fossil-based studies?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly supports studies of how life, ecology, environments, and biogeography have changed across geologic time using fossil evidence from plants, animals, and microbes.

7) What types of paleobiological questions are relevant under this opportunity?

Examples mentioned include work examining evolutionary and ecological turnover, biodiversity patterns, extinction and recovery, community structure, and organism responses to shifting habitats and environmental stressors.

8) Does the program support research focused on sedimentary basins and stratigraphy?

Yes. It funds research on the sedimentary lithosphere, including interpreting how sedimentary basins form and evolve, how stratigraphic packages reflect tectonics and sea level, and how sediments store signals of Earth surface processes and past environmental conditions.

9) Is geologic timekeeping and dating within scope?

Yes. The opportunity highlights geologic timekeeping and quantifying rates of change, supporting approaches that determine when events occurred, how long they lasted, and how fast key processes operated as expressed in sedimentary and fossil records.

10) What are examples of timekeeping or correlation approaches mentioned?

The description lists stratigraphic correlation, geochronology, cyclostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, and other approaches used to date and measure sequences of events in sedimentary and fossil records.

11) Does the program support sediment transport and depositional process studies?

Yes. It supports research on the production, transport, and deposition of sediments in both modern and ancient settings, including physical and chemical sediments.

12) What parts of the sediment cycle are included?

The scope includes sediment generation (such as weathering and erosion), movement through landscapes and depositional systems (including rivers, deltas, shorelines, and deep marine settings), and the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms that control deposition and preservation.

13) Is deep-time climate research included?

Yes. The program encourages studies aimed at understanding deep-time climate systems prior to the Holocene, using sedimentary and paleobiological archives to reconstruct past climates, climate dynamics, and Earth system feedbacks over long time scales.

14) How many awards does NSF anticipate making under this opportunity?

NSF anticipates about 35 awards under this opportunity.

15) What is the estimated total funding level for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding level is about $7,500,000.

16) What is the expected award size range?

Individual awards are expected to range from about $250,000 (award floor) up to $1,500,000 (award ceiling).

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are typically not required to provide institutional matching funds as a condition of eligibility or competitiveness.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is geared toward US-based research and education organizations. Eligible applicants include accredited US universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) acting on behalf of their faculty.

19) Are non-academic organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Certain non-profit, non-academic organizations are listed as eligible, including independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar US organizations associated with educational or research activities.

20) Is this opportunity tied to a specific NSF division or broader category?

It is an NSF Geosciences program and is identified as a discretionary research grant program (CFDA 47.050) focused on sedimentary geology and paleobiology.

21) Where can applicants find the full official solicitation details?

The opportunity references an NSF publication for full details: NSF Publication 15-561.

22) What should someone do if they cannot access the announcement through Grants.gov?

Applicants who have trouble accessing the announcement are directed to contact Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.