Overview

The MSU IoE invites proposals to support the formation of interdisciplinary teams addressing complex socioecological challenges in Montana. These awards are intended to facilitate early-stage collaboration leading to Federal Initiative white papers, concept notes, or future large-scale proposals. This award amount is for up to $10,000 for the project period of June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027, with the funds to be fully utilized during this cycle. Funds may be used for reasonable and necessary project costs, including: travel expenses for team coordination or stakeholder engagement, meeting and workshop costs (e.g., space rental, materials, supplies, refreshments), costs associated with development of white papers, concept documents, or preliminary data synthesis, and a 6% direct costs fee.

The Montana State University Institute on Ecosystems (IoE) connects researchers tackling environmental challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges science, education, and community perspectives. Our work spans Montana’s diverse socio-ecological systems—from working lands and community health to climate resilience, biodiversity, and water systems—grounded in place-based research and a commitment to collaboration and training.

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Eligibility

  • Full-time MSU faculty (including tenure track and non-tenure track research, Extension, and teaching faculty)
  • Teams must include participants from at least two disciplines
  • Projects must focus on Montana-based systems or communities

Proposal Requirements

  • Budget and Justification
  • CV(s) (2 pages)
  • Project description:
    • Problem statement and relevance
    • Team composition and expertise
    • Interdisciplinary approach
    • Planned activities and facilitation methods
    • Anticipated products (white paper, concept note, proposal)
    • Timeline

Review Criteria

  • Significance of the socioecological challenge
  • Alignment with IoE mission
  • Quality and diversity of team expertise
  • Potential for future external funding
  • Clarity of collaboration plan
  • Commitment to inclusion and shared leadership

Awardee agrees to

  • Produce at least one written product (white paper, concept note, or similar) with plans for external submission or use.
  • Acknowledge IoE support in presentations and publications

Materials should be submitted on InfoReady by April 30, 2026 at 5 PM MST.