Center for Viruses in Ecology

(a Proposed NSF Science and Technology Center)

Oklahoma State University, on behalf of multiple US institutions, is spear-heading an effort to obtain National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to support global study of viruses in ecological contexts. The pre-proposal for a Science and Technology Center, submitted to NSF in Fall 2008, resulted in an invitation, with high priority, to submit a full proposal by 30 April, 2009. The pre-proposal was a direct result of Plant Virus Ecology Network discussions and interactions.

"The scientific vision of the Center for Viruses in Ecology is to catalyze a paradigm shift, from one in which viruses are always pathogens, yet insignificant components of ecosystems, to one in which viruses are often commensal, yet keystone components of ecosystems. Key to this vision is possession of a detailed global map of virus location combined with an understanding of with what hosts each virus is compatible, under what conditions that virus will spread and to which species, if any, the virus is pathogenic. The scientific mission of the Center is to establish Plant Virus Ecology as a vigorous scientific discipline at the interface of many disciplines. Its goal is to examine the idea that viruses have profound effects on the ecology of habitats they inhabit, as well as being dependent on their environments." (from Pre-preposal Project Summary)

Via this webpage, I am providing access to the Request for Applications, the pre-proposal and the results of the pre-proposal review. The wider than traditional accessibility is due to a desire to be inclusive of all sincerely interested scientists, the need to give access to individuals assisting in the development of the full proposal and to a desire to have international partners better consider launching complementary funding requests in their own jurisdictions.

NSF RFA (contains instructions for full proposal preparation; NSF site link)

Pre-proposal (submitted version; pdf)

Comments (Panel summary and comments from six reviewers; MS Word)

See the PVEN Contact page to send messages regarding the STC proposal