Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases

The Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) program, funded by multiple agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, and social drivers of infectious disease transmission dynamics. Projects must emphasize quantitative, mathematical, or computational approaches to understanding how pathogens spread and interact with hosts and environments. The program aims to uncover principles governing disease emergence and transmission through interdisciplinary research that extends beyond traditional studies. Eligible topics include zoonotic, environmentally borne, vector-borne, enteric, and respiratory pathogens in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine systems. Research can focus on any host species, including humans, animals, and plants, and examine the effects of environmental factors such as climate, population genetics, or host physiology on disease dynamics. Investigations into the ecological and evolutionary feedbacks of transmission and the socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of infectious diseases are encouraged. Studies addressing public health challenges in Low- or Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and diseases of agricultural importance are particularly welcomed. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit research organizations, federally funded research centers, institutions of higher education (including community colleges), and federally recognized tribal nations. Proposals involving international branch campuses of U.S. institutions must justify the necessity of work conducted abroad. Multidisciplinary teams that integrate expertise across fields such as ecology, genomics, epidemiology, economics, and social sciences are strongly encouraged. The program provides funding of $1.5 million to $3 million per award, with a total estimated funding amount of $32 million. There is no cost-sharing requirement. The current deadline for applications is November 19, 2025, with prior deadlines applying to earlier submission cycles. Proposals should include detailed methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration plans, and broader impacts aligned with the program's goals. This opportunity supports innovative research to predict, mitigate, and control infectious diseases through a comprehensive understanding of their dynamics across biological, environmental, and social systems. Further information and application details are available in NSF Publication 24-592, with inquiries directed to NSF Grants.gov Support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.