Division of Environmental Biology

The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB), part of the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Biological Sciences, supports fundamental research and training in evolutionary and ecological processes at various biological levels including populations, species, communities, ecosystems, and biogeographic scales. This grant opportunity encourages work that explores the unity and diversity of life and its interactions with the environment, using methods ranging from fieldwork and laboratory studies to computational modeling. Proposals are welcomed in the core clusters of Ecosystem Science, Evolutionary Processes, Population and Community Ecology, and Systematics and Biodiversity Science, with encouragement for interdisciplinary proposals that span biological levels and spatial or temporal scales. This program accepts proposals at any time with no limit on the number that can be submitted by an individual investigator. The funding covers projects with diverse research scopes and supports a wide range of scientific inquiries, including integrative biological projects under the IntBIO Track, STAR Grants for focused, lower-cost projects, and international collaborations through partnerships with NERC (UK) and BSF (Israel). Each category has specific instructions, and international proposals must align with both NSF and the partner agency’s guidelines. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education and U.S.-located non-profit, non-academic organizations like independent museums and research labs. While no preliminary proposals or letters of intent are required, a Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan is mandatory for any off-campus or off-site research. This plan must outline procedures and policies to ensure a safe and inclusive research environment. Applications must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with NSF's Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Proposals should include standard NSF required documents, a data management and sharing plan, and—if applicable—additional documentation for STAR or IntBIO projects, educational supplements, or international collaborations. STAR Grants are capped at $400,000 and have a ten-page project description limit. Merit review for this opportunity follows NSF’s standard evaluation criteria, focusing on intellectual merit and broader societal impacts. Additional review considerations apply to specific tracks like IntBIO and collaborative international submissions. Evaluators also assess plans for safe fieldwork and data sharing, where applicable. Award decisions are made on a rolling basis with approximately 120 new awards expected annually, supported by a total anticipated funding of $100 million. The NSF aims to communicate funding decisions within six months of proposal receipt. The point of contact for general inquiries is the Division of Environmental Biology at debquestions@nsf.gov or (703) 292-8480.