The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announces a new request for proposals aimed at advancing understanding of symbiosis in marine and freshwater environments.
Our Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative supports research and the development of novel methods that significantly expand knowledge of how symbiotic relationships function, evolve, and shape aquatic ecosystems.
Supporting new collaborations
This new round of funding is designed to catalyze innovative collaborations that bring together expertise in aquatic symbiosis with leading-edge approaches from other areas of science and complementary disciplines. By integrating perspectives and methods in new ways, we intend to enable discoveries that address fundamental and often long-standing questions about the origin, function, and evolution of symbiotic relationships of aquatic organisms.
Competitive proposals will describe how proposed collaborations will open new lines of inquiry, redefine existing paradigms, or overcome methodological and technological barriers in the study of aquatic symbioses.
Who should apply
Interdisciplinary teams are required. Proposals must be submitted by teams of two investigators:
- One with demonstrated expertise in aquatic symbiosis.
- One contributing complementary disciplinary, methodological, or theoretical expertise.
We encourage collaborations that bridge disciplines that have not traditionally worked together, where integration of methods, technologies and perspectives creates the potential for qualitatively new approaches and insights.
Scope
Projects should align with one or more of the following areas:
- How aquatic environments shape symbiotic interactions.
- Evolutionary ecology of symbiosis.
- Development of innovative methods, tools, or analytical approaches that expand capabilities to study aquatic symbioses.
Ideas must focus on marine or freshwater organisms and must involve symbioses that include or are comprised of microbial partners (bacteria, archaea, and single-celled eukaryotes).
Projects should pursue ambitious, high-risk, high-reward ideas with the potential for significant impact. Strong proposals will demonstrate how the collaboration enables new ways of addressing core questions related to the origin, function, and evolution of aquatic symbiotic relationships.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted Friday July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
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Learn more
- Request for proposals: Peruse the full text of the proposals, including eligibility criteria and application guidance.
- Frequently asked questions: Review our up-to-date responses to frequently asked questions.
- Community dashboard: While recognizing that this request for proposals is distinct from past open calls, we encourage applicants to take a look at previously awarded projects on the initiative dashboard.
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