Call for Proposals - Working Groups

• Groups of up to 20 scientists work at NCEAS for a few days to a few weeks (generally smaller groups and longer stays are most effective), concentrating on specific issues that require in-depth analysis of data and synthesis of ideas. Each Working Group typically meets 1-3 times a year. Approximately 6-12 new Working Groups are supported annually. The Center facilitates the meetings by making local arrangements.
• It has been the experience at the Center that working groups of 15 or fewer individuals meeting for at least 5 days are the most productive. Thus, we STRONGLY suggest that applicants consider these thresholds. Deviations from these levels should be discussed with the Director or Deputy Director and soundly justified in the proposal.
• Working Group proposals must designate at least one participant with considerable analytical expertise who will serve as the liaison with the NCEAS technical staff.
• Working Groups should also identify one or more participants who will be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the NCEAS Data and Information Policy are met.
• An important characteristic of NCEAS emerges from the interactions that take place among the resident scientists (Postdoctoral Associates and Sabbatical Fellows) and the visiting scientists in Working Groups. Thus, in the evaluation of proposals, we consider aspects of the proposed research and the nature of the participants that might promote effective interactions. This is inherently subjective, but we believe it is an important component of what makes the NCEAS model effective.
• It is expected that all Working Groups will involve a diverse group of participants, including women and members of under-represented communities.
• NCEAS is particularly interested in increasing opportunities for graduate student participation in the Center's activities. It is expected that all Working Groups will involve one or more graduate student participants. Graduate students should be full intellectual participants in Working Group activities and are not expected to serve in a support role for the group.
• Under certain circumstances, a Postdoctoral Associate (with comprehensive justification) may be employed to coordinate the group's work at the Center. The Postdoctoral Associate's work should not be that of a technologist or group administrator. Postdoctoral Associates are recruited via a national search or may submit a separate NCEAS proposal. Postdoctoral Associates must reside at the Center. Working Group proposals that request support for an associated Postdoctoral Associate must be strongly justified and show that the Postdoctoral Associate's work is not that of a technologist or group administrator.
• Funding occurs through an NSF grant to UC Santa Barbara , which reimburses actual expenses (i.e., the Center does not award grants to other institutions). Applicants are encouraged to consider additional funding sources to leverage NCEAS resources.
• Some projects may address important issues in both ecology and evolutionary biology. If a proposal is clearly appropriate for funding by both NCEAS and by the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) , PI's may request joint funding of a Working Group by both Centers. PI's should submit identical proposals, conforming to NESCent style, to both NCEAS and NESCent by the earlier deadline date — NESCent deadlines are currently one month earlier than those for NCEAS. Working Group meetings will be held at both NCEAS and NESCent. A budget is not necessary in the NESCent submission, but should be included in the NCEAS submission for those meetings proposed to occur at NCEAS.
• Similarly PI's may inquire about possible co-sponsorship by partners such as QUEST and the ARC-NZ Research Network on Vegetation Function.
• PI's may wish to also submit a proposal for a Distributed Graduate Seminar (DGS).  Early DGS at NCEAS emerged directly out of the activities of NCEAS Working Groups. These integrated, multicampus graduate seminars engage students in the collaborative ecological analysis and synthesis of the working group.

Financial Information

Support includes reimbursement for actual travel, lodging and per diem expenses. No salary support is provided, except in the case of Postdoctoral Associates. Participant costs, including airfare, hotel and per diem expenses, are paid with funds itemized in the approved budget. Working Group leaders are responsible for preparing lists of the names, addresses, and contact information for participants invited to their meetings.

If a proposal is approved, the projects will be given a total budget. Working Group Leaders are expected to remain within the budget, but will have flexibility within that limit. The Center anticipates that budgets of funded projects will normally be expended during the specific period indicated in the proposal. Significant deviations should be discussed well in advance with the Director or Deputy Director. If a working group is inactive for a period of 12 months, we will assume the project has been completed, even if unexpended funds remain, unless appropriate reasons for a delay are provided.

Budget Template

Budget templates are provided in a Microsoft Word document for your reference and/or use.

* Most projects last fewer than three years. Add additional columns as needed.
** Please enter approximate dates; actual dates will depend on the availability of NCEAS resources.
*** Use the following figures for average travel costs:

NCEAS will reimburse for an advance purchase, direct, economy-class ticket, up to the following amounts in $USD:
(Note: All flights must be on U.S. or U.S.-affilated carriers.)

• $450 from Western US and Canada
• $600 from Midwest US
• $700 from Eastern US and Canada
• $1,100 from Western Europe and South America
• $1,800 from Australia, Eastern Europe and Asia
• $2,000 from Africa and Russia

**** Number of visitor days = Number of visitors x Number of travel days