Ecogenomics

The aim of this call is to facilitate innovative and high quality scientific research in the area of Ecogenomics.

Ecogenomics is the emerging scientific discipline that studies the structure and function of a genome with the aim to understand the relationship between the organism and its biotic and abiotic environment (Van Straalen & Roelofs 2006). Ecogenomics involves several lines of research such as: unraveling patterns of genome evolution using (complete) DNA sequences, studying the impact of environmental factors on species at a functional genomics level by DNA microarray-based technology, investigating and discovering uncultivable microorganisms by metagenomics approaches, studying the role of (epi)genetic variation in stress responses and its impact on evolutionary change and studying gene-environment-function relationships among different species using comparative genomics. The main drivers from a scientific point of view are to use new opportunities provided by the 'omics'-technology revolution and apply these tools to better understand gene-function relations, to learn more about species interactions and the mechanisms of evolutionary change, to discover novel micro-life species and functions, and to better monitor and predict the potential impact of environment, landscape and climate changes on populations and ecosystems.

Who can apply

Funding applications can be made by researchers from Dutch universities, NWO and KNAW Institutes, and the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

Employees of other research institutes can only submit applications if in the opinion of the ALW board the following criteria are satisfied:

• the institute is located in the Netherlands;
• the institute has an independent research arm;
• the institute has a non-profit status;
• in the research for which funding is requested the institute cooperates with a university, which is apparent from a personnel or material contribution to the research from the university, and the researchers enjoy freedom of publication in the international scientific literature.

Only those researchers who have been invited to submit a full proposal on the basis of their previously submitted pre-proposal are allowed to apply.

What can be applied for

Funding can be requested to cover all reasonable, non-infrastructural costs that must be made for the research such as the appointment of personnel (PhDs or postdocs), material facilities (consumables, travel costs, etc but not equipment) and fieldwork. Each type of cost should be explained in brief separately.

No funding can be requested for permanent members of staff, student assistants, analysts/technicians, overheads, general laboratory equipment, maintenance and insurance costs, congress visits and publication costs.

When can be applied

• Closing date for submitting pre-proposals was 21 September 2009
• Closing date for submitting full proposals was 20 January 2010

Extra Information

Further information about the submission conditions can be found in the brochure for the call for the submission of proposals.

Criteria

The criteria are: clearly falling within one or more research themes, scientific quality of the research proposal, and knowledge utilisation.

Procedure

An evaluation committee of independent scientific experts shall assess the preproposals, prioritise these and issue an advice to the ALW Divisional Board. The applicants selected shall be invited to submit a full proposal. The full proposals shall be assessed in a peer review procedure by international referees and prioritised by an evaluation committee.

The ALW Divisional Board shall take a decision about the funding of proposals in May 2010.

Committees

An evaluation committee shall be appointed which shall reflect as wide a possible spread of expertise and participating research institutes.

Budget

A total of 1 million euro is available for the Ecogenomics programme. Approximately four projects can be funded.

Financiers

NWO Division for Earth and Life Sciences

Contacts

• Mw. drs. M. van het Groenewoud-Groot
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 06 26, fax: +31 (0)70 381 90 33, e-mail: m.vanhetgroenewoud@nwo.nl