The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative is seeking proposals that open new interdisciplinary lines of inquiry and support methods and technology development that substantially advance understanding of symbiosis in marine and freshwater environments.

This request for proposals 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 and/or ambitious methods development. Projects must focus on aquatic symbioses that include microbial partners and address how aquatic environments shape symbiotic interactions, the evolutionary ecology of symbiosis, or the development of novel tools and approaches that expand capabilities to study aquatic symbioses.

Proposals are expected to span three years and may be submitted by researchers at eligible institutions worldwide. In addition to those currently working on aquatic symbioses, we hope to identify scientists and engineers who have not previously worked in this area and who would bring novel perspectives, methods, and technologies to this area of science.  

The deadline for submitting a proposal through the SmartSimple platform is 31 July, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Learn more about this funding opportunity, including full proposal requirements and eligibility information: https://www.moore.org/symbiosis-in-aquatic-systems-rfp.