Division of Environmental Biology
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research in evolutionary biology, ecology, and related environmental sciences. Eligible applicants include accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) in the US, and non-profit non-academic organizations like museums, observatories, and research laboratories directly affiliated with educational or research activities. Proposals should address fundamental principles in evolutionary and ecological processes across populations, species, communities, ecosystems, or biogeographic scales. Research may use field, laboratory, collection-based, observational, manipulative, synthesis, phylogenetic, or computational approaches.
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Program description
The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Coresupports research and training on evolutionary and ecological processes acting at the level of populations, species, communities, ecosystems, macrosystems, and biogeographic extents. DEB encourages research that elucidates fundamental principles that identify and explain the unity and diversity of life and its interactions with the environment over space and time. Research may incorporate field, laboratory, or collection-based approaches; observational or manipulative studies; synthesis activities; phylogenetic discovery projects; or theoretical approaches involving analytical, statistical, or computational modeling. Proposals should be submitted to the core clusters (Ecosystem Science, Evolutionary Processes, Population and Community Ecology, and Systematics and Biodiversity Science). DEB also encourages interdisciplinary proposals that cross conceptual boundaries and integrate over levels of biological organization or across multiple spatial and temporal scales.Research addressing ecology and ecosystem science in the marine biome should be directed to the Biological Oceanography Program in the Division of Ocean Sciences; research addressing evolution and systematics in the marine biome should be directed to the Evolutionary Processes or Systematics and Biodiversity Science programs in DEB.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG standard forms (SF-424, cover page, project summary)
- Project Narrative (research proposal)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (for senior personnel)
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources statement
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.074 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$401,043,378
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$268,297,107
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$66,886,066
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$59,000,000
-
$46,262,435
-
$39,723,283
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$39,454,013
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$31,000,000
-
$24,500,000
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$22,800,000
Top States by Funding
- OH 2 awards $413.5M
- CO 3 awards $295.1M
- NY 4 awards $119.3M
- CA 9 awards $96.9M
- AZ 3 awards $91.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.074). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $813,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $789,240,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $221,290,000 |
FAQ
Can a non-academic organization submit a proposal?
Yes, non-profit organizations like museums, observatories, and research labs can apply if directly associated with educational or research activities. They must be located in the US.
What types of research does DEB support?
DEB supports field studies, laboratory research, observational and manipulative studies, synthesis activities, phylogenetic discovery, and computational or theoretical modeling in evolutionary and ecological sciences.
Can proposals include international collaborators or branch campuses?
International collaborations are allowed, but proposals involving US institutions' international branch campuses must justify why activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
What is the funding range for awards?
Awards typically range from $5,000 to $5,000,000, though amounts vary by project scope and cluster.
How is the application reviewed?
Proposals are reviewed competitively through NSF's peer review system based on intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your proposal to one of the four core clusters: Ecosystem Science, Evolutionary Processes, Population and Community Ecology, or Systematics and Biodiversity Science. Clear alignment strengthens your competitive position.
- Emphasize fundamental science principles and how your work explains unity and diversity of life. DEB prioritizes foundational research over applied work.
- Include a clear methodology section describing whether you'll use field, laboratory, collection-based, observational, manipulative, synthesis, or computational approaches. Methodological rigor matters in peer review.
- If proposing marine research, check whether your work should go to Biological Oceanography (marine ecology/ecosystems) or stay in DEB (marine evolution/systematics). Correct routing is critical.
- Demonstrate broader impacts beyond research community. Explain benefits to education, workforce development, public understanding of biology, or conservation of biological resources.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting to the wrong program cluster or to Biological Oceanography instead of DEB (and vice versa) results in desk rejects. Proposals lacking clear fundamental science focus or emphasizing only applied outcomes are less competitive. Weak broader impacts statements that don't connect to education, workforce, or public engagement are common weaknesses.
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