FOA-Understanding
the Rules of Life: Microbiome Interactions and Mechanisms (URoL:MIM); February 23,
2021
Agency
National
Science Foundation
Description
In
2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled a set of "Big Ideas," 10
bold, long-term research and process ideas that identify areas for future
investment at the frontiers of science and engineering (see https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp).
The Big Ideas represent unique opportunities to position our Nation at the
cutting edge of global science and engineering by bringing together diverse
disciplinary perspectives to support convergence research. As such, when
responding to this solicitation, even though proposals must be submitted to the
Division of Emerging Frontiers in the Directorate for Biological Sciences
(BIO/EF), once received, the proposals will be managed by a cross-disciplinary
team of NSF Program Directors.
Understanding
the Rules of Life (URoL):
Predicting Phenotype is
one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas (https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas)
and is focused on predicting the set of observable characteristics (phenotypes)
based on the genetic makeup of the individual and the nature of its
environment. The Understanding the Rules of Life: Microbiome Interactions and
Mechanisms (URoL:MIM)
program is an integrative collaboration across several Directorates and
Offices within the National Science Foundation. The objective of URoL:MIM is to understand interactions and mechanisms
that govern the structure and function of microbiomes. By integrating the wide
range of accumulated data and information on microbiome structure and function,
new causal models of interactions and interdependencies across scales and
systems can be generated. Elucidating these relationships will inform our
understanding of the Rules of Life – the theoretical constructs and models that
explain and predict the emergent characteristics of living systems, as seen in
the robustness, resilience, and adaptability of the individual organisms,
populations, and communities.
We
define a microbiome as a collection of different microbes in a specific habitat.
This may include non-host-associated microbiomes and host-associated
microbiomes, such as those in humans and other organisms, where i)
the microbiome impacts host physiology, behavior, development, and fitness; ii)
the host influences the metabolic activity, dynamics and evolution of the
microbiome, and iii) the environment (biological, chemical, physical, and
social) influences and is influenced by both the host and the
microbiome.
The URoL:MIM program invites
integrated, interdisciplinary proposals that create new knowledge in multiple
disciplines to develop causal frameworks with well-designed scientific and/or
computational approaches to test hypotheses about the relationships within the
microbiome, and among the microbiome, the host, and the environment. Projects
may develop new computational, mathematical, or experimental tools, and models,
to: i) explain function and interactions in natural,
experimental, and model microbiomes; ii) elucidate the chemical and molecular
mechanisms that underlie communication between the host and the microbiome and
among the members of the microbiome; and/or iii) comparatively analyze
characteristics of microbiomes to discover emergent properties that provide
insight into the behavior of living systems.
Successful
projects will contribute to a portfolio of research that identifies general
principles ("rules") that underlie a wide spectrum of biological phenomena
across different spatial, complexity (e.g., molecular, cellular, organismal,
population), and/or temporal scales (from sub-second to geologic). URoL:MIM projects must be novel
and innovative in more than one discipline (e.g., biology,
chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, mathematics, physics, social
and behavioral sciences). They must also incorporate best practices
regarding protocol documentation, sample selection, data collection and
analysis, as well as data sharing and accessibility. URoL:MIM projects must provide
workforce development and/or innovative undergraduate or graduate education
opportunities that increase the pipeline for MIM in higher education and train
the next generation of microbiome scientists. Projects should benefit society
through engagement of the public and/or enhancement of K-12 STEM
education.
URoL:MIM
supports basic science research projects of different scales and scope. Projects
may have a total budget of up to $3,000,000 and an award duration of up to
5 years.
Announcement
Number:
NSF
21-534
Closing
Date:
February
23, 2021
Link
to Full Announcement
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505694
Contact
Information
Catalina Achim
(703)
292-2048