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No open solicitation; past awarded grant record (Feb 2020)
Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative is sponsored by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. This initiative seeks proposals that open new interdisciplinary lines of inquiry and support methods and technology development to advance understanding of symbiosis in marine and freshwater environments.
It seeks teams of two investigators—one with expertise in aquatic symbiosis and one with complementary disciplinary or methodological expertise—to pursue high-risk, high-impact research. Projects must focus on aquatic symbioses that include microbial partners.
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Initiative Strategy Detail Former-foundation president, Harvey Fineberg, and chairman emeritus and co-founder, Gordon Moore, discuss the Statement of Founders’ Intent with staff.
Environmental Conservation Conservation and Markets Initiative Wildfire Resilience Initiative Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative Green Chemistry Initiative Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative Exploring and deciphering marine and freshwater symbioses Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative Exploring and deciphering marine and freshwater symbioses Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative Exploring and deciphering marine and freshwater symbioses Investigating how symbioses function, evolve and influence aquatic ecosystems.
Aquatic environments have served as incubators of evolution since life began on Earth almost four billion years ago. Today, marine and freshwater ecosystems host a substantial proportion of the biodiversity on our planet, yet much of this diversity remains unexplored. As scientists study aquatic environments, they are realizing how powerfully the interactions among organisms define their evolutionary histories and ecological roles.
An essential yet underappreciated ingredient of life is symbiosis, first defined in the 1870s as the “living together of unlike organisms. ” Symbiosis includes organisms that form mutually beneficial partnerships as well as the associations between parasites and their hosts.
In each case, symbiosis influences the underlying biology of the partners, such as in mutualistic relationships between corals and the photosynthetic algae that reside inside their tissues. Symbiosis promotes a perspective in the biological sciences that extends beyond the concept of the individual organism.
Major symbiotic events in the history of life occurred in aquatic ecosystems, most prominent of which is the origin of the eukaryotic cell. This event, which occurred approximately two billion years ago, was a symbiotic integration of two different microorganisms and created the ancestor of all animals, plants, fungi and protists.
Aquatic systems are additionally of interest because of how flowing water and gradients of light and nutrients influence symbiotic interactions. Understanding symbioses of aquatic organisms enriches our grasp of the full range of symbiosis on our planet.
The Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative advances knowledge of how symbiotic associations function and contribute to ecological and evolutionary processes in marine and freshwater habitats through four strategic approaches: Invest in technology, methods and resources to enable discovery. Support scientists and engineers with unrestricted funding to innovate and explore through an investigator program.
Stimulate collaborations of multidisciplinary teams to reduce silos between scientific disciplines and communities. Build community to create a broader, yet more integrated field. Continue reading for more information on our approaches and awards.
Illuminating how symbioses that include microorganisms function, evolve and serve critical ecosystem roles. Symbiosis is a rule of life Aquatic ecosystems – encompassing both marine and freshwater – comprise the largest habitat on the planet and are the least understood. If you know someone who is interested in this field or what we are doing at the foundation, pass it along.
Aquatic Symbiosis Community Dashboard: Explore grants, learn about the researchers, and see their research advances Program Director, Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Operations Associate, Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Program Officer, Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Researchers at eligible institutions worldwide. The foundation encourages scientists and engineers who have not previously worked in this area to apply, bringing novel perspectives, methods, and technologies. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Applications for Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative are due July 31, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative is funded by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This listing is flagged as international in scope. Check the official notice for country-specific restrictions before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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