OARS funding Conservation

The Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) supports research aimed at understanding why organisms are structured the way they are and function as they do. Proposals should focus on organisms as a fundamental unit of biological organization. Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged to apply systems approaches that will lead to conceptual and theoretical insights and predictions about emergent organismal properties.  Areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to, developmental biology and the evolution of developmental processes, nervous system development, structure, and function, physiological processes, functional morphology, symbioses, interactions of organisms with biotic and abiotic environments, and animal behavior.

All four clusters within the Division of Environmental Biology (Population and Community Ecology, Ecosystem Science, Evolutionary Processes and Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories) encourage the submission of proposals aimed at synthesizing a body of related research projects conducted by a single individual or a group of investigators over an extended period. OPUS proposals will often be appropriately submitted in mid-to-late career, but will also be appropriate early enough in a career to produce unique, integrated insight useful both to the scientific community and to the development of the investigator's future work. In cases where multiple scientists have worked collaboratively, an OPUS award will provide support for collaboration on a synthesis.

Research to improve the Service's understanding of golden eagle populations and effective management actions to offset impacts to eagle populations.

The Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) is a competitive Federal assistance program that funds projects seeking to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources through cooperative efforts involving the best research and management talents to accomplish priority activities. Projects funded under MARFIN provide answers for fishery needs covered by the NMFS Strategic Plan, available from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), particularly those goals relating to: rebuilding over-fished marine fisheries, maintaining currently productive fisheries, and integrating conservation of protected species and fisheries management. Funding priorities for MARFIN are formulated from recommendations received from non-scientific and technical experts and from NMFS research and operations officials. With the long-term planning capabilities available through the Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, the priorities are selected to coordinate assessment needs with this solicitation. There is no preference between short-term and long-term projects.

This agreement is a continuation of Cooperative Agreement F07AC00011 and is being implemented in order to manage efforts for the recovery of Hawaiian birds through the operation, design, and construction of captive propagation facilities in the State of Hawaii and reintroduction of captive-reared birds. This objective is for the continued survival of Hawaiian forest birds including the endangered alala or Hawaiian crow, and reintroduction of Hawaiian forest birds and the alala to the wild as per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved documents.

Implementation of a native plant material program at an ecoregional level provides opportunities for incorporating appropriate species and genetic and phenotypic variation within regional climatic ranges and biotic communities. This scale provides for broad collaboration and subsequent cost reduction. Project Objective: The principle purpose of this project is to: ¿ Make available native plant materials,which are not currently available in commercial quantities. ¿ Reduce native plant material costs by increasing the quantity available and improving recruitment success. ¿ Connect local communities in nature and restoration of lands through public meetings,establishment of pollinator gardens, and workshops on native plant propagation and restoration. 

The Science Transfer Programis designed to promote partnershipsthrough the communication of information aboutGreat Lakes ecosystems and theirfish communities,sea lamprey control, and emerging ecological concepts and technologiesto fishery researchers andmanagers, governments, and the public. The programprovides a dedicated source of funding to supportthe objectives and activities described in A Joint Strategic Plan for Management ofGreat Lakes Fisheries and the commission's partnership vision statement. Types of Pjt roecs: S icence t franser proj tecsi ldncue all forms of commi isson‐sponsored communi ticaon reltdae to scientific and technical information. Types of activities used to disseminate informationmay include, but are notlimited to: - science‐transfer and trainingworkshops - other workshops and symposia - management planning and objective setting - development andmaintenance of lake‐wide databases - development ofscientific review papers - publication ofresearch in print, CD, and web‐basedmedia

Research!America is pleased to announce an exciting new program to introduce and engage early-career scientists in research advocacy and science policy. The 2013 Research!America Advocacy Academy is a unique opportunity for postdoctoral fellows in the health and biomedical sciences to learn about how to best incorporate advocacy and effective communications into their role as a scientist. The 2013 class of up to 12 Research!America advocates will participate in a two-day Washington, DC, program from September 11-12, 2013. Participants will learn about the federal budget and appropriations process, tools for effective science communication and outreach as well as how to engage with elected representatives on scientific and research issues. The program includes visiting Capitol Hill to meet with policy makers and congressional staff members, providing participants with a first-hand experience advocating for health research. Rounding out this unique Washington experience, participants will attend Research!America's National Health Research Forum where top leaders in government, industry, academia and patient organizations engage in moderated conversations on issues of importance to the research ecosystem. Upon completion of the program, participants will become Science Advocates for Research!America. Advocates will remain engaged with Research!America staff, receive ongoing action alerts and learn about ways to involve their home institution's research community in effective science advocacy. All travel expenses (transportation, lodging and meals) will be provided and arranged by Research!America through an educational grant provided by Pfizer. This year's program is limited to 12 exceptional postdoctoral researchers with a dedicated interest in becoming active advocates for science.

CAREER: The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Seasonally varying controls on evapotranspiration(ET)will be analyzed and summarized at key sites in Everglades National Park (ENP), including a mangrove forest in Shark River.

The interagency Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) intends to request proposals through one or more formal Funding Opportunity Notice (FON) announcements beginning approximately October 1, 2013 and remaining open through November 22, 2013. The intent of this notice is to provide an early alert to investigators interested in the topics listed below so that investigators can begin considering responsive ideas with potential partners and collaborators.

Financial assistance will be awarded for projects that advance the LCC Network Vision and Mission by addressing the following priority theme areas addressed in Section XI of the full announcement: Theme A - Integrating Assessment and Planning for Aquatic Resource Conservation at Landscape Scales. Theme B - Developing a Network of Ecologically Functional and Connected Landscapes by Facilitating Landscape Conservation Design.

BWF's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface provide $500,000 to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service. These awards are intended to foster the early career development of researchers who have transitioned or are transitioning from undergraduate and/or graduate work in the physical/mathematical/computational sciences or engineering into postdoctoral work in the biological sciences, and who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. These awards are open to U.S. and Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as to U.S. temporary residents.

The purpose of this Dear Colleague Letter is to advise you about funding opportunities at the National Science Foundation for the research community to propose research projects or workshops that will gather data on the implementation and impacts of recent science policy initiatives including, but not limited to those noted earlier.  Especially encouraged are proposals that will: Develop new, or improve existing, analytical frameworks for evaluating the impacts of federal science policy initiatives; Explore different agencies' approaches to the implementation of particular policies to examine how variations in approach affect the achievement of intended policy outcomes; Collect case-study or quantitative data that facilitate identification of best practices in science and innovation policy implementation.

The National Science Foundation awards Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in selected areas of the biological sciences. Proposals must fall within the scope of any of the clusters in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). These grants provide partial support of doctoral dissertation research for improvement beyond the already existing project. Allowed are costs for doctoral candidates to participate in scientific meetings, to conduct research in specialized facilities or field settings, and to expand an existing body of dissertation research.

During the 2014 grant cycle, the Foundation will specifically target five specific themes for funding.  These themes, developed in close consultation with conservation and research specialists, are:  Human elephant conflict action;  Action to eliminate illegal killing and trafficking of elephants;  Community capacity building;  Conservation education; and  Management of elephant populations.

Financial assistance will be awarded for projects that advance the LCC Network Vision and Mission by addressing the following priority theme areas addressed in Section XI of the full announcement: Theme A - Integrating Assessment and Planning for Aquatic Resource Conservation at Landscape Scales. Theme B - Developing a Network of Ecologically Functional and Connected Landscapes by Facilitating Landscape Conservation Design.

One important effect of global climate change is the reduction in naturally stored water resources which, for Peru, means melting glaciers and a decrease in the size of highland wetlands (paramos). The loss of these areas decreases water availability for upland and lowland communities and increases the potential for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). This APS seeks to stimulate adaptation projects that assist indigenous mountain communities, rural and urban areas, and local and regional governments potentially affected by GLOFs or changes in water availability. General project outcomes will be long-term, sustainable approaches that help reduce the impact of climate change on glaciated and highland wetland ecosystems and on those that depend on these ecosystems' services.

NMFS, with assistance from the New England Fishery Management Council (Council), is soliciting proposals for 2014 and 2015 that address Atlantic Herring RSA research priorities. Proceeds from the sale of research quota are used to pay for research costs and to compensate fishing vessel owners that harvest RSA quota. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, proceeds generated from the sale of RSA quota will be used to fund research activities and/or harvest set-aside quota. Projects funded under the Atlantic Herring RSA Program must enhance the knowledge of Atlantic herring fishery resources or contribute to the body of information on which Council management decisions are made. Priority will be given to proposals that investigate research priorities identified by the Council, which are detailed under the Program Priorities section of this announcement.

The objective of the program is to provide a basis for advancing science-based fisheries management for Atlantic bluefin tuna. Such advancement will depend upon improvements in understanding of the fisheries harvesting and the biology of bluefin tuna, especially regarding the effects of mixing and movement between the eastern and western Atlantic stocks on monitoring stock abundance. Contracting Parties to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), of which the US is one, and other partners have embarked upon a $25 million research program on bluefin tuna, expected to span 6 years as a step toward improving ICCAT's science based management approach for fisheries affecting bluefin. Research sponsored under this funding opportunity represents a contribution to this partnership.