The U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) supports evolutionary and ecological research on species, populations, communities and ecosystems.
What we support
DEB invests in fundamental research on Earth's biodiversity and the ecological and evolutionary processes that explain the origin and maintenance of genetic variation in living systems, including the history and patterns of speciation and extinction.
The division encourages interdisciplinary proposals that cross conceptual boundaries and integrate over levels of biological organization or across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
All DEB programs also encourage proposals that leverage NSF-supported data networks, databases, centers and other forms of scientific infrastructure, including but not limited to the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), Environmental Data Initiative (EDI) and Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio).
Core programs
DEB maintains four core program clusters that are designed to support the breadth ecological and evolutionary biology.
Ecosystem Science Cluster
Supports research on ecosystem structure and function across a diversity of spatial and temporal scales and across ecosystems experiencing the full spectrum of human impacts.
Evolutionary Processes Cluster
Supports research on evolutionary processes at all scales, from the molecular to biogeographic, to understand the mechanisms that shape the adaptation, distribution, speciation and diversity of life.
Population and Community Ecology Cluster
Supports conceptually framed research that advances understanding of population ecology, demography, species interactions, community dynamics and the factors influencing these processes across space and time.
Systematics and Biodiversity Science Cluster
Supports research and methods development that advances understanding of the diversity, systematics, distribution and evolutionary history of extant and extinct organisms.
Focused funding calls
DEB participates in several programs with a specific focus or solicitation requirements. These include key partnerships both inside and external to NSF.
Who we are
DEB's workforce is composed of both federal employees and scientists from research institutions in temporary positions with a wide range of engineering expertise.
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