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FAPESP and NSF issue call for proposals in biodiversity Versão em português
Researchers are invited to submit projects for scientific cooperation through the programs BIOTA and Dimensions of Biodiversity. Up to two projects will be funded at a level of up to $2 million by FAPESP and up to $2 million by NSF (photo:BIOTA-FAPESP)
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) make public a Call for Research Proposals and invite researchers to submit projects for scientific cooperation through their programs, BIOTA and Dimensions of Biodiversity.
Up to two US-São Paulo Collaborative Research Project awards will be funded at a level of up to $2,000,000 by FAPESP, to the researchers in São Paulo State and at a level of up to $2,000,000 by NSF to the U.S. researchers. All awards are contingent on availability of funds and the quality of proposals.
The aims of the BIOTA-FAPESP Research Program, launched in March 1999 includes: i) to inventory, map and characterize the biodiversity of the State of São Paulo; ii) to understand the processes that generate and maintain biodiversity, as well as those that can result in its deleterious reduction; iii) to improve public policies on biodiversity conservation and restoration, and iv) to develop means and strategies for the sustainable use of plants, animals and microorganism with economic potential.
A primary goal of the NSF Dimension´s of Biodiversity Program is to address the largest unknowns related to biodiversity, taking a broad view that ranges from genes through species to ecosystems in an effort to integrate both descriptive and functional aspects of biodiversity on Earth. The long-term goal of the Dimension´s campaign is to develop an integrated understanding of the key dimensions of biodiversity in an ever-changing world.
The Call for Proposal is based in a broader Call for proposals published annually by the NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity’s Program, which invites the participation of U.S. researchers to apply for NSF’s regular funding or co-funding opportunities under NSF agreements with FAPESP, Chinese National Natural Science Foundation and NASA.
For this Call for proposals, research projects must integrate the three dimensions of biodiversity – Genetic, Taxonomic/Phylogenetic and Functional – with the goal of understanding the interactions and feedbacks among these dimensions. Innovative approaches are encouraged in order to accelerate the characterization and understanding of these three dimensions of biodiversity and their relative importance; empirical, experimental, theoretical, and modeling approaches are all appropriate.
The proposals must be submitted: 1) To FAPESP, by researchers associated with public or private Higher Education or Research Institutions in the State of São Paulo. The researchers must have a doctorate degree (or equivalent). The São Paulo state researchers applying to FAPESP must meet FAPESP eligibility requirements and must apply through an institution eligible to receive FAPESP funding. The SP proposer should fit the FAPESP's requirements for Thematic Projects; 2) To NSF, by researchers associated with eligible institutions as defined in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide.
Last date for receiving proposals is April 10, 2012. The duration of the research project must be 5 years with possibility of extension for up to 12 additional months, in exceptional condition, as justified and approved by the corresponding agency.
“FAPESP’s BIOTA Research program has been studying the biodiversity in São Paulo and in Brazil for the last 13 years. The BIOTA Program has generated first class scientific results as well as contributions to conservation legislation and public policy. The launching of NSF’s Dimensions of Biodiversity Program created a natural channel for scientific collaboration between researchers in São Paulo and their colleagues in the U.S., in this field. Both FAPESP and NSF are looking forward to this collaboration with great interest,” says Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, FAPESP’s scientific director.
“Understanding patterns of biodiversity, their ecological causes, and their consequences for ecosystem function and human welfare is critical, especially given accelerating global changes. To foster this understanding, NSF has embarked on a 10-year program to study the integrative effects of various aspects of biodiversity. With this new call for proposals, FAPESP will be joining NSF in those efforts. This partnership promises to greatly improve our efforts by building teams of U.S. and Brazilian scientists who will bring unique skills and insights to these questions. The partnership expands the global reach of these studies, especially the opportunity for cross-continental comparisons. We look forward to a long and frutful association with FAPESP,” says Samuel M. Scheiner, NSF’s Biological Sciences Program Officer.
The Call for Proposal is available at: www.fapesp.br/en/6724.