The new solicitation for Dimensions of Biodiversity (19-535) has just been released, with a deadline of February 28, 2019. The Dimensions of Biodiversity program has transformed how we describe and understand the scope and role of life on Earth. Successful proposals to this program fully integrate the genetic, phylogenetic, and functional dimensions of biodiversity. 

The main change this year is an exclusive focus on international scientific partnerships. Over the years, NSF has developed partnerships with funding agencies in China, Brazil, and South Africa to support international biodiversity projects that involve scientists in those countries. To further promote these types of projects, the 2019 Dimensions of Biodiversity program is restricted to applications involving U.S.-China, U.S.-São Paulo, and U.S.-South Africa Collaborative Research Projects. Projects that involve only U.S. participants will not be considered in 2019.

The U.S. PIs submit to NSF and the collaborating Chinese, Brazilian, or South African PIs submit to their appropriate national funding agencies. In developing your proposal, please be aware that your team will need to submit joint proposals to different agencies, so be aware of deadlines for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) of Brazil, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa.

Same as last year, due to lack of participation by the Directorate for Geosciences in this solicitation, proposals that investigate marine biodiversity or marine environments are not eligible, and if submitted will be returned without review.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 19-1), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 28, 2019.

If you have questions about a potential project involving China, Brazil, or South Africa for Dimensions of Biodiversity, please send an inquiry to Dimensions@nsf.gov.