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Biocomplexity in the Environment

Description

Biocomplexity in the Environment (BE) describes NSF's activities in environmental science, engineering, and education. BE includes activities designed to foster research and education on the complex interdependencies among the elements of specific environmental systems and interactions of different types of systems. All kinds of organisms--from microbes to humans--fall within the BE framework, as do environments that range from frozen polar regions and volcanic vents to temperate forests and agricultural lands as well as the neighborhoods and industries of urban centers. The key connector of BE activities is complexity--the idea that research on the individual components of environmental systems provides only limited information about the behavior of the systems themselves.

FY 2004-FY 2005 Competition. These competitions are part of an annual series that support the Foundation's Biocomplexity in the Environment Initiative. The current competition promotes comprehensive, integrated investigations of environmental systems using advanced scientific and engineering methods. The concept of biocomplexity stresses the richness of biological systems and their capacity for adaptation and self-organizing behavior. By placing biocomplexity studies in an environmental context, this competition emphasizes research with the following characteristics: (a) a high degree of interdisciplinarity; (b) a focus on complex environmental systems that include interactions of non-human biota or humans; and (c) a focus on systems with high potential for exhibiting nonlinear behavior. In this third year of a multi-year effort, proposals are sought in five topical areas: (1) Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH); (2) Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles (CBC); (3)Genome-Enabled Environmental Science and Engineering (GEN-EN); (4) Instrumentation Development for Environmental Activities (IDEA); and (5) Materials Use: Science, Engineering, and Society.

In all topical areas, quantitative approaches, education, and taking a global perspective should be addressed. Consistent with the guidance provided in each of the topical areas, individuals or small groups may submit proposals to conduct research projects or exploratory and planning activities. This comprehensive approach to research on biocomplexity in the environment is expected to improve science-based predictive capabilities for decision-making.

Target Dates and Deadlines

Proposal Deadlines for Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH):
December 3, 2003
November 17, 2004

Proposal Deadline for Instrumentation Development for Environmental Activities:
December 3, 2003

Proposal Deadline for Genome-Enabled Environmental Science and Engineering:
December 17, 2003

Proposal Deadline for Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles (CBC):
January 22, 2004

Program Deadlines for Materials Use: Science, Engineering, and Society (MUSES):
February 11, 2004
February 8, 2005

Program Contact(s)

See List of Contacts



Award lists for previous competitions are available at www.nsf.gov/ere.

Please see additional program information.



 

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