Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 545
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Dimensions of Biodiversity opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 21-545) is a research grant program designed to accelerate discovery and understanding of Earths biodiversity at a time when species and ecosystems are being lost rapidly and, in many cases, permanently. The core premise is that even after centuries of biological exploration, a large share of the planets diversity remains undescribed or poorly understood, and that closing these knowledge gaps requires more than traditional species inventories. This program aims to change how biodiversity is documented and explained by supporting projects that connect multiple kinds of biological information to reveal how diversity originates, persists, and shapes ecosystem function.
A defining feature of this opportunity is its requirement for genuine integration across three specific dimensions of biodiversity: genetic diversity (variation within and among populations at the DNA level), phylogenetic diversity (evolutionary relationships and the branching history that links organisms), and functional diversity (the traits and roles organisms have in ecosystems, such as feeding strategies, physiological tolerances, or contributions to nutrient cycling). Competitive proposals are expected to address all three dimensions together, not as parallel workstreams but as an integrated framework that examines how these dimensions interact. The intent is to move beyond describing biodiversity in isolated ways and instead show how genetic variation, evolutionary history, and organismal traits combine to drive major ecological and evolutionary processes. Projects should therefore be framed around mechanisms, for example how new lineages arise, how diversity is maintained under environmental change, and how biodiversity affects ecosystem resilience and function.
The program sits within NSFs broader biological sciences portfolio but is distinct from many core programs because it explicitly demands multi-dimensional, synergistic approaches. In practice, this can encourage teams to combine methods such as genomics and population genetics, phylogenetic inference, trait measurement and functional ecology, biodiversity modeling, and field or museum-based discovery. The emphasis is on novel integrative approaches that can substantially reduce major gaps in knowledge, whether those gaps are taxonomic (unknown species), geographic (under-sampled regions), evolutionary (uncertain relationships), or ecological (unclear functional roles).
For the 2021 cycle described in the notice, eligibility and project structure are shaped by international collaboration requirements. The competition is restricted to projects built as international partnerships involving one of three specific counterpart agencies: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, or the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. Proposals must be submitted jointly, with the US principal investigators submitting their components to NSF while collaborating investigators in China, Brazil, or South Africa submit to their respective national funding agencies under aligned processes. This structure is meant to support coordinated, cross-border research programs rather than loosely connected collaborations, and it reflects the reality that biodiversity research often depends on international field sites, collections, expertise, and data.
From an administrative standpoint, the award instrument is a grant within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 47.074). The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $2,000,000 and anticipated making about 6 awards. The original closing date for submissions was March 26, 2021, and the opportunity was created on December 15, 2020. The eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details provided in the full solicitation, which typically means applicants need to consult the official NSF program announcement for the precise institutional and partnership requirements.
NSF also signals openness to early-stage fit checks: investigators who are unsure whether a prospective project aligns with the Dimensions of Biodiversity priorities are encouraged to email a brief project summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted push for ambitious, mechanism-focused biodiversity research that links genes, evolutionary history, and functional traits, implemented through structured international partnerships with China, Brazil (specifically Sao Paulo), or South Africa.Apply for 21 545
- 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 Dec 15, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 26, 2021. (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 6 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 (Funding Opportunity Number 21-545)
What is the NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity opportunity (21-545)?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Dimensions of Biodiversity opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 21-545) is a research grant program intended to accelerate discovery and understanding of Earth's biodiversity at a time when species and ecosystems are being lost rapidly, sometimes permanently. The program is designed to support projects that improve how biodiversity is documented and explained by connecting multiple kinds of biological information rather than relying on traditional species inventories alone.
What problem is this program trying to address?
The program is grounded in the idea that even after centuries of biological exploration, a large share of the planet's biodiversity remains undescribed or poorly understood. It aims to close major knowledge gaps by funding projects that integrate multiple dimensions of biodiversity and explain how diversity originates, persists, and influences ecosystem function.
What makes this program different from a standard biodiversity inventory project?
This opportunity emphasizes more than cataloging species. Competitive projects are expected to connect multiple types of biological information in a way that reveals mechanisms and relationships, such as how biodiversity arises and is maintained, how it responds to environmental change, and how it shapes ecosystem resilience and function.
What are the three required dimensions of biodiversity that must be integrated?
The program requires genuine integration across three specific dimensions:
- Genetic diversity: variation within and among populations at the DNA level.
- Phylogenetic diversity: evolutionary relationships and the branching history that links organisms.
- Functional diversity: traits and roles organisms have in ecosystems (for example, feeding strategies, physiological tolerances, or contributions to nutrient cycling).
Does a proposal have to address all three dimensions (genetic, phylogenetic, functional)?
Yes. Proposals are expected to address all three dimensions together. The program expectation is not that these are treated as separate or parallel workstreams, but as a unified, integrated framework that examines how the dimensions interact.
What does NSF mean by "genuine integration" across dimensions?
Based on the notice, "genuine integration" means the proposal should be structured so genetic variation, evolutionary history, and organismal traits are analyzed together to explain major ecological and evolutionary processes. The intent is to move beyond describing biodiversity in isolated ways and instead show how the three dimensions combine to drive outcomes such as lineage formation, persistence of diversity under change, and ecosystem functioning.
What kinds of research questions are a good fit for this program?
Projects should be framed around mechanisms. Examples mentioned in the description include studying how new lineages arise, how diversity is maintained under environmental change, and how biodiversity affects ecosystem resilience and function. The emphasis is on explaining processes, not only documenting patterns.
What types of knowledge gaps is the program trying to reduce?
The program highlights the goal of substantially reducing major gaps in knowledge, including:
- Taxonomic gaps (unknown or undescribed species)
- Geographic gaps (under-sampled regions)
- Evolutionary gaps (uncertain relationships)
- Ecological gaps (unclear functional roles)
What approaches or methods does the program encourage?
The notice describes that this program can encourage teams to combine approaches such as genomics and population genetics, phylogenetic inference, trait measurement and functional ecology, biodiversity modeling, and field- or museum-based discovery. The central requirement is that approaches are integrated in a synergistic way across the three dimensions.
Is this opportunity part of NSF's Biological Sciences portfolio?
Yes. The program sits within NSF's broader biological sciences portfolio, but it is described as distinct from many core programs because it explicitly demands multi-dimensional, synergistic approaches that integrate genetic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity.
Are international collaborations required for this 2021 cycle?
Yes. For the 2021 cycle described, the competition is restricted to projects built as international partnerships involving one of three specific counterpart agencies: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil, or the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.
Which international partner agencies are allowed under this opportunity?
The opportunity restricts partnerships to collaborations involving one of the following agencies:
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
- Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil
- National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
How are proposals submitted in an international partnership structure?
Proposals must be submitted jointly. The U.S. principal investigators submit their components to NSF, while collaborating investigators in China, Brazil (Sao Paulo), or South Africa submit to their respective national funding agencies under aligned processes. The structure is intended to support coordinated, cross-border research programs rather than loosely connected collaborations.
What is the award instrument for this opportunity?
The award instrument is a grant within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. The CFDA number listed is 47.074.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $2,000,000.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making?
The notice states that NSF anticipated making about 6 awards.
What was the submission deadline for the opportunity as described?
The original closing date for submissions was March 26, 2021.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 15, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details provided in the full solicitation. This indicates that applicants should consult the official NSF program announcement for the precise institutional and partnership requirements.
What should investigators do if they are unsure whether their idea fits the program?
NSF encourages early-stage fit checks. Investigators who are uncertain about alignment with the Dimensions of Biodiversity priorities are encouraged to email a brief project summary and contact information to Dimensions@nsf.gov.
What is the overall goal of the program in practical terms?
Overall, the opportunity is positioned as a targeted push for ambitious, mechanism-focused biodiversity research that links genes, evolutionary history, and functional traits, implemented through structured international partnerships with China, Brazil (specifically Sao Paulo), or South Africa.
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