About DEB

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.

Program
Next Required Due Date: September 4, 2025
Supports projects studying functional biodiversity in the context of environmental change. Projects should consider ecological and evolutionary approaches in response to the continual gain, loss and reorganization of biodiversity on a changing planet.
Posted May 16, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 19, 2025
Supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, organismal and social drivers that influence infectious diseases and increase quantitative and/or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics.
Posted July 29, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: March 6, 2025
Supports renewal awards for active Long-term Ecological Research sites.
Posted December 14, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Supports research for a period of 10 years or longer to generate an extended time series of data with a focus on evolutionary biology, ecology and ecosystem science.
Posted December 9, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 23, 2025
Supports integrative, cross-disciplinary research that explores the mechanistic and eco-evolutionary responses of organisms to climate change, aiming to improve predictions, develop solutions for mitigating impacts and support the bioeconomy.
Posted October 22, 2024
Program
Supports partnerships that conduct research on organismal biology, ecology and evolution to develop and implement action plans and technologies that advance biodiversity conservation.
Posted January 24, 2024

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.

Leadership

Dr. Allen J. Moore
Division Director

Dr. Paco Moore
Deputy Division Director

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