Calls for Proposals
Turn big data into big insights that improve our world
We periodically invite researchers to submit proposals for collaborative, synthesis research projects in both basic and applied environmental science. If selected, research teams, called working groups, 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.
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Open Calls for Proposals
The data produced at LTER sites are an extraordinary scientific resource that can inform a wide variety of questions. Among-site comparisons interrogate the generality of effects observed at particular sites. Modeling efforts employ long term observations and experiments to formulate and test rigorous descriptions of theory. Scaling exercises get at the continental or even global impacts of documented effects. LTER synthesis working groups organized through the LTER Network Office (LNO) are intended to support collaboration on these and many other types of questions.
Working Group Model
Collaboration and diversity are among our core values, and team science is part of our approach. Our research is always conducted in working groups, a model we've pioneered for the field of ecology.
Research proposals should reflect these values and approach.
Calls for proposals are typically associated with one of the following initiatives.
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Gulf Ecosystem Initiative
The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative is a partnership between the NCEAS and the NOAA RESTORE Science Program to fund synthesis science and postdoctoral research. Working groups of scientists and decision makers will collaborate to solve pressing questions across the Gulf of Mexico. Synthesis science proposals and working groups will cover three main areas of research for decision making in the Gulf of Mexico: fisheries, climate change, and the ecological impacts of management.
Learn more about the Gulf Ecosystem Initiative -
Morpho Initiative
The Morpho Initiative is an applied environmental science initiative that convenes working groups consisting of government agency, NGO, tribal, and academic researchers to develop and accelerate science in the service of environmental management.
Learn more about the Morpho Initiative -
Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Synthesis
Through the LTER Network 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 core LTER research areas. Principal investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the Network Office to briefly discuss ideas before submitting proposals.
Learn more about LTER synthesis -
Luna Initiative
Supporting bold, high-risk, high-reward ideas aimed at solving the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. Through a portfolio approach to innovation, Luna helps accelerate breakthrough concepts that are too novel and cross-cutting for traditional funding pathways.
Learn more about the Luna Initiative -
Special Projects
We occasionally 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.
Learn more about partnering with us