Call for Proposals [1]
NCEAS is not currently accepting proposals. Please check back later for future calls for proposals.
What We Do Not Fund [7] | Expectations for NCEAS Scientists [8]
Overview of Call for Proposals
The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) [9] was initiated in 1995 to promote synthesis, analysis, and multidisciplinary collaboration directed toward addressing important questions in ecology and allied disciplines. The Center seeks projects that address the development and testing of important ecological ideas and theories using existing data, cutting-edge analysis of ecological information, research on data access and use, use of sound science in policy and management decisions, and investigating sociological issues that pertain to the science of ecology.
The Center provides comprehensive in-house computing capabilities, including support and training for resident and visiting scientists. As a result, NCEAS scientists become familiar with information management and develop a sense of its importance to their research. Training is enhanced because the Center is often viewed as a neutral party, dedicated to the general notion of data access rather than focusing on one type of data or approach.
It is critical that proposed activities take advantage of the Center's unique resources. NCEAS provides:
- an intellectually stimulating environment
- exceptional scientific support and computing facilities [10]
- excellent linkages to a wide array of institutions and organizations dealing with similar issues
- access to UCSB's large pool of expertise in the ecological and environmental sciences, and
- physically attractive location and facility in downtown Santa Barbara
Data Expectations — Because NCEAS emphasizes using existing information, we have a strong commitment to developing means to locate, access, analyze and make data broadly available and to imbuing scientists and other users with a sense of sharing information. To this end we require that resident scientists and working groups agree, prior to initiating their activities at the Center, to making derived data (data resulting from analyses from which the original data cannot be reconstituted) publicly available. Furthermore, we strongly encourage researchers to document their original data and make these publicly accessible as well. See the NCEAS Data and Information Policy [11] and Data Accessibility [12] section below for details
Proposal Deadlines Top of page
NCEAS is not currently accepting proposals. Please check back later for future calls for proposals.
Who Should Apply Top of page
Proposals may be submitted by individuals of any nationality who hold a position in an academic institution, free-standing research institution, scientific society, governmental or policy agency, non-governmental organization, or a consortium of such institutions. Proposals are welcome from first-time applicants and from scientists and social scientists from fields other than ecology. Proposals may involve activities with partial support from other institutions or agencies.
What We Do Not Fund Top of page
- NCEAS does not fund projects if the activity should be funded by another entity or can just as easily take place elsewhere.
- NCEAS typically does not fund collection of new data or field research.
- NCEAS does not fund proposals requesting overhead or funds to be spent by the investigator at the investigator's home institution.
Expectations for NCEAS Scientists Top of page
Local Participation
Except in unusual circumstances, research will be conducted at the Center. We ask that UCSB scientists be allowed to participate in activities at the Center, where appropriate. Local scientists interested in a particular activity are asked to contact the leader to confirm that participation is welcome. We also ask that visiting scientists interact with NCEAS Postdoctoral Associates when interests and expertise converge.
Data Accessibility
The Center is committed to making the data and materials derived from NCEAS research activities available to the broader scientific community. Please read our Data and Information Policy [11] for details on NCEAS' treatment of data sharing and intellectual property issues.
Proposals must include an estimate of the derived data products (data resulting from analyses from which the original data cannot be reconstituted) and time table for making derived data publicly available. Resident scientists and working groups must agree, before initiating NCEAS research activities, to making derived data publicly available. After the first meeting of a Working Group, derived data products must be identified and the time table for their release refined. The results will be tracked to ensure that derived data are made openly available. Furthermore, we strongly encourage researchers to document their original data and make it publicly accessible (see Data and Information Policy [11]).
The NCEAS scientific computing staff will contact the Working Group prior to the start of their first group meeting and assist with the development of a realistic plan and timeline for the archiving of data and software products from the Working Group. NCEAS can provide some staff assistance with data management and analysis.
Acknowledgment of Funding Source/Suggested Formats [13]
The primary responsibility of NCEAS scientists – visitors and residents – is to fulfill their goals regarding the scholarly activities undertaken at the Center. We ask PIs to provide initial summaries [14], which are used on our website and in our reports to funders. In addition, Center support should be cited in publications [13], and copies of articles published should be sent to the Center. Questionnaires requesting updates on NCEAS products are sent periodically to participants. The products resulting from NCEAS research activities are very important to measuring the success of NCEAS and we ask that participants return completed questionnaires as soon as possible.
