The Macrosystems Biology and NEON-Enabled Science (MSB-NES): Research on Biological Systems at Regional to Continental Scales program supports quantitative, interdisciplinary, systems-oriented research on biosphere processes and their complex interactions with climate, land use, and changes in species distribution at regional to continental scales, as well as training activities to broaden participation of researchers in Macrosystems Biology and NEON-Enabled Science.
The program is entering its second decade at a time when there is increased urgency in advancing the understanding of regional to continental scale biology and environmental science. The revised solicitation for the program is now available at: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22504/nsf22504.htm.
The next proposal deadline will be January 10, 2022. After that, the deadline will move to the second Monday in November beginning with November 2022.
The scientific focus of the program has not changed, but there are some important updates to note:
- Language indicating that projects using NEON would receive priority for funding has been replaced with language that indicates that NEON use is encouraged where appropriate.
- There is no longer a suggested average budget for the Macrosystem Research Awards (MRA); Macrosystem Small Awards (MSA) remain capped at $300,000.
- The anticipated funding amount for the program has been increased to $12M (from $9-11M).
- Project Management Plans are now required for MRA proposals only. They are not needed for MSA proposals.
- Proposals must now be submitted through Research.gov and can no longer be submitted through FastLane.
For more information or answers to questions about the program please contact members of the MSB-NES working group:
Matthew Kane (mkane@nsf.gov)
Diana Pilson (dpilson@nsf.gov)
Gary Lamberti (glamberti@nsf.gov)
DEBrief 