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NSF and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Release New Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice (PACSP) Solicitation

Program Supporting Academic-Conservation Organization Partnerships Enters Second Year

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (the foundation) are continuing their partnership to support the use of evidence-based approaches in conservation efforts to protect diverse species and ecosystems across the United States and associated territories through the Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice (PACSP) program.

The program, administered by NSF, seeks proposals that involve the implementation of conservation activities based on conservation science principles via academic-conservation organization partnerships. The strongest projects will involve ongoing assessment of biodiversity outcomes, for instance via an adaptive management framework, that inform both scientific understanding and conservation actions.

A significant distinction between the PACSP program and other NSF programs is that proposals to this program must make clear and well-defined connections between basic research questions and the implementation of conservation focused actions.

For proposals recommended for funding, NSF will fund the proposed research scope and the foundation will fund the proposed conservation component of the project.

More information on changes in the new solicitation and opportunities to learn more about the program is included below.

New Guidance on Proposals for Conservation Tools and Other Changes

The program continues to accept proposals for new or new applications of technology to conservation. However, recognizing that projects focused on leveraging or developing new technologies for use in the conservation sphere do not naturally follow the structure for proposals outlined in the previous solicitation, NSF and the foundation are launching a new Tool Development (TOOLS) track with additional guidance on structuring these proposals as part of the new solicitation.

In addition to the new track, there is new guidance about projects that include facilities, logistics, or assignable asset costs; an increase in potential project length up to 60 months; and a requirement for a plan for Safe and Inclusive Fieldwork (SAIF) for any proposals including off-campus or off-site research.

Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More

NSF will be providing a virtual opportunity to learn more about the PACSP program and the partnership between NSF and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. The webinar is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 12, 3-4pm ET. Please keep watch of the PACSP program page (linked above) and/or NSF events calendar for more information.