Opportunity Information: Apply for 19 535
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity "Dimensions of Biodiversity" (Funding Opportunity Number 19-535) is designed to speed up and modernize how scientists discover, describe, and explain life on Earth at a time when biodiversity is being lost rapidly and often permanently. The program is built around a central problem: even after centuries of biological exploration, a large share of the planet's species and biological variation is still unknown, and that knowledge gap makes it harder to understand ecosystems, predict change, and protect what remains. In response, this initiative aims to transform biodiversity science by supporting research that can reveal major missing pieces of the diversity of life and clarify why that diversity exists, how it is maintained, and what it does in ecological and evolutionary systems.
A defining feature of this opportunity is its requirement for true integration across three core "dimensions" of biodiversity: genetic diversity (variation within and among populations and species at the DNA level), phylogenetic diversity (the evolutionary relationships and history that connect species), and functional diversity (the traits and roles organisms have that shape ecosystems, such as feeding strategies, physiology, or interactions with other species). Projects are expected to address all three dimensions together, not as separate components, but in ways that explicitly examine how they interact and reinforce one another. The emphasis is on novel, integrative approaches that can uncover synergistic relationships among genes, evolutionary history, and functional traits, particularly in connection with the key processes that generate biodiversity (its origin), keep it from disappearing (its maintenance), and determine its contributions to ecosystem functioning (its roles). While the program aligns with NSF BIO core interests, it differs by making this multi-dimensional integration a non-negotiable requirement and by prioritizing new ways of linking these layers of biodiversity to answer major ecological and evolutionary questions.
For the 2019 competition cycle described here, eligibility is tightly linked to international collaboration. The program is restricted to projects that are supported through partnerships with specific national funding organizations: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. Proposals must be submitted jointly, meaning the US principal investigators submit to NSF while collaborating investigators in China, Brazil, or South Africa submit corresponding proposals to their own national agencies, following those agencies' rules and timelines. This structure is meant to foster coordinated, cross-border research teams capable of tackling broad biodiversity questions that benefit from access to different regions, biotas, data resources, and scientific expertise.
In administrative terms, the opportunity is a discretionary grant program within the science and technology research and development category (CFDA 47.074). NSF anticipated making about five awards, with an award ceiling of $2,000,000 per project. The opportunity was created on November 21, 2018, and the original closing date for submissions was February 28, 2019. NSF also provided an avenue for prospective applicants to check alignment before investing heavily in proposal development: investigators were encouraged to email a brief project summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov to ask about suitability for the program's goals and requirements.Apply for 19 535
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dimensions of Biodiversity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.074.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 21, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity (FON 19-535)
What is the NSF "Dimensions of Biodiversity" grant opportunity (FON 19-535)?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) "Dimensions of Biodiversity" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 19-535) supports research intended to speed up and modernize how scientists discover, describe, and explain life on Earth, especially at a time when biodiversity is being lost rapidly and often permanently.
What problem is this program trying to solve?
The program is built around a central problem: despite centuries of biological exploration, a large share of the planet's species and biological variation is still unknown. This knowledge gap makes it harder to understand ecosystems, predict change, and protect biodiversity.
What kinds of research goals does the program emphasize?
This initiative aims to transform biodiversity science by supporting research that can reveal major missing pieces of the diversity of life and clarify why that diversity exists, how it is maintained, and what it does in ecological and evolutionary systems.
What are the three required "dimensions" of biodiversity in this program?
Projects must integrate all three of the following dimensions:
- Genetic diversity: variation within and among populations and species at the DNA level.
- Phylogenetic diversity: evolutionary relationships and history that connect species.
- Functional diversity: organism traits and roles that shape ecosystems (for example, feeding strategies, physiology, and interactions with other species).
Is it enough to include the three dimensions as separate components?
No. A defining feature of this opportunity is that proposals are expected to address all three dimensions together, not as separate components. Projects should explicitly examine how genetic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity interact and reinforce one another.
What does NSF mean by "true integration" across dimensions?
Based on the program description, "true integration" means using approaches that link genes, evolutionary history, and functional traits in a connected way, with an emphasis on how these layers work together to explain biodiversity origins, maintenance, and ecological roles.
What types of scientific questions are especially relevant to this program?
The opportunity highlights major ecological and evolutionary questions tied to key processes that:
- Generate biodiversity (its origin)
- Keep biodiversity from disappearing (its maintenance)
- Determine biodiversity contributions to ecosystem functioning (its roles)
How is this program different from typical NSF BIO core proposals?
While the program aligns with NSF BIO core interests, it differs by making multi-dimensional integration across genetic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity a non-negotiable requirement, and by prioritizing novel, integrative ways of linking these layers to answer major biodiversity questions.
Who is eligible to apply in the 2019 competition cycle described?
Eligibility is tightly linked to international collaboration. The program is restricted to projects supported through partnerships with specific national funding organizations: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.
Which international partner agencies are involved?
The opportunity specifies three partner agencies:
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
- Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil
- National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
Is an international partnership required, or just encouraged?
For the 2019 cycle described, the opportunity is restricted to projects supported through the listed international partnerships, indicating that the international collaboration structure is required for eligibility.
How are proposals submitted under this joint structure?
Proposals must be submitted jointly. U.S. principal investigators submit to NSF, while collaborating investigators in China, Brazil, or South Africa submit corresponding proposals to their national agencies, following those agencies' rules and timelines.
Do all collaborating investigators submit to NSF?
No. The structure described is that the U.S. principal investigators submit to NSF, and the international collaborators submit corresponding proposals to their own national funding organizations.
Why does the program require coordinated international submissions?
The described structure is intended to foster coordinated, cross-border research teams that can tackle broad biodiversity questions that benefit from access to different regions, biotas, data resources, and scientific expertise.
What funding category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program within the science and technology research and development category, under CFDA 47.074.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making?
NSF anticipated making about five awards for this opportunity.
What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as $2,000,000 per project.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on November 21, 2018.
What was the original closing date for submissions?
The original closing date for submissions was February 28, 2019.
Is there a way to check whether a project idea fits before writing a full proposal?
Yes. NSF encouraged prospective applicants to email a brief project summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov to ask about suitability for the program's goals and requirements.
What should be included in the email inquiry to NSF?
The opportunity states investigators were encouraged to send a brief project summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov.
What email address is provided for pre-submission suitability questions?
The opportunity lists Dimensions@nsf.gov as the email contact for asking about project suitability.
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