We periodically invite scientists to submit research proposals for collaborative, synthesis projects in both basic and applied environmental science. If selected, research teams meet one to two times per year at our headquarters in Santa Barbara, CA to focus on their projects.

Successful proposals present research questions that could benefit specifically from the synthesis of existing data and analysis by an interdisciplinary team. Learn more about our working group model.

We also issue calls for postdoctoral researchers to support a working group of one of our research programs, join us as a postdoctoral fellow, or conduct their own independent research. Postdoctoral researchers are typically based at our headquarters in Santa Barbara.

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Current calls for proposals

Artist in Residence | Deadline September 4, 2018

Create art inspired by interactions with environmental scientists and the scientific process while helping influence the way science is done. NCEAS is seeking proposals from artists for a one-month residency in March 2019. The opportunity is open to artists of all sorts, including painters, poets, musicians, photographers, illustrators, printmakers, playwrights, digital artists, and more.

Download the CFP>

Research programs

Calls for proposals are typically associated with one of the following initiatives.

Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP)

SNAPP is our collaborative initiative with The Nature Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Society to fill important knowledge gaps and advance solutions to challenges that lie at the intersection of nature conservation, sustainable development, and human well-being. Teams are typically a mix of academic and non-academic researchers, sometimes also including experts from the realms of policy, management, and business. Calls for proposals are typically issued once a year between February and April.

To get a sense of what SNAPP looks for, download the last call for proposals.

Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network

Through the LTER Network Communications Office, we solicit proposals for projects that synthesize and analyze data from one or more LTER sites. While all relevant ideas will be considered, the selection committee is most interested in ideas that could have high-impact results in the five core LTER thematic areas: 1) primary production, 2) population studies, 3) organic matter dynamics, 4) mineral cycling, and 5) disturbance patterns and processes. Principal investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the NCO to briefly discuss ideas before submitting proposals.

To get a sense of what LTER looks for, download the last call for proposals.

Special projects

Occasionally, we convene one or more working groups to tackle a specific issue of interest to a funding partner, such as a foundation, consortium, or government agency. Recent examples include the State of Alaska’s Salmon and People (SASAP) project, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the TomKat UC Carbon Neutrality Project, funded by the TomKat Foundation and University of California Office of the President.