Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems | 20 579

DISES (NSF 20-579) Grant Opportunity FAQs

What is the DISES grant opportunity (NSF 20-579)?

Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems (DISES) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 20-579) that supports basic research aimed at improving fundamental scientific understanding of socio-environmental systems as genuinely integrated, interconnected wholes.

What is the central research idea behind DISES?

The central idea is to move beyond treating "the natural system" and "the human system" as separate entities that only influence each other at the margins. DISES prioritizes research that treats environmental components and human components as part of one connected system where each shapes, and is shaped by, the other over time.

What kinds of systems does DISES focus on?

DISES focuses on socio-environmental systems understood as integrated systems, including environmental components (biological, physical, and chemical) and human components (economic, social, political, and behavioral) linked through interacting processes and feedbacks.

What does NSF mean by "integrated" socio-environmental systems in DISES?

In DISES, "integrated" means the proposal explicitly studies the dynamics, processes, and feedbacks that connect human and environmental components in a single system. It is not enough to study human and environmental factors side-by-side; DISES expects direct analysis of how they interact, co-produce outcomes, and change together over time.

What makes a DISES proposal "strong" according to the description provided?

A strong DISES proposal directly analyzes cross-domain interactions and feedbacks, explaining how coupled processes operate, how feedback loops emerge, and how change propagates through the integrated system. The work should emphasize system dynamics (including nonlinearity, time lags, thresholds, and reinforcing or balancing feedbacks) rather than a simple one-way causal story.

Is DISES intended for basic research or applied solutions?

DISES is designed to support basic research that advances fundamental understanding and theory about integrated socio-environmental system dynamics, rather than focusing only on applied solutions, standalone analyses, or simple impact assessments.

Does DISES fund projects that only assess impacts (for example, environment affects people)?

The emphasis in DISES is not on a one-way impact assessment. Proposals are expected to examine two-way, coupled interactions and feedbacks (for example, how human decisions change environmental conditions and how those environmental changes feed back into human behavior, institutions, and outcomes).

What types of human components are relevant for DISES proposals?

Human components described as relevant include economic, social, political, and behavioral dimensions, such as policy decisions, governance structures, institutions, livelihoods, behaviors, and economic outcomes, especially when analyzed as part of feedback-driven system dynamics with environmental change.

What types of environmental components are relevant for DISES proposals?

Environmental components described as relevant include biological, physical, and chemical components, such as land use, water quality, biodiversity, and climate-related risks, particularly where they are dynamically coupled with human decisions and institutions.

What kinds of interactions and mechanisms does DISES encourage researchers to study?

DISES encourages mechanism-focused studies of linked processes and feedbacks, such as how policy and governance alter environmental conditions (land use, water quality, biodiversity, climate-related risks) and how those environmental changes then feed back into human decision-making, institutions, behavior, livelihoods, and economic outcomes.

What does DISES mean by "system dynamics"?

In DISES, system dynamics refers to how change unfolds within an integrated socio-environmental system over time, including features like nonlinearity, time lags, thresholds, and feedback loops that can reinforce change or stabilize the system.

Are feedback loops a required focus for DISES proposals?

The opportunity description places explicit emphasis on studying dynamics and feedbacks that link human and environmental components. Strong DISES proposals are expected to analyze feedback loops and coupled processes, not just include both domains in parallel.

Does DISES encourage new theory or new analytical approaches?

Yes. NSF indicates DISES is a place for proposals that push conceptual boundaries, including developing new theoretical framing, models, or analytical approaches that better explain integrated socio-environmental systems where existing disciplinary tools fall short.

Is interdisciplinary work important for DISES?

Yes. DISES is described as designed for interdisciplinary, mechanism-focused research that treats human and environmental processes as inseparable parts of the same system.

What does DISES mean by multi-scalar thinking?

Multi-scalar thinking in DISES refers to studying dynamics and feedbacks across scales, such as household to community to regional governance, or local ecosystem processes interacting with broader market forces, migration patterns, or national policies.

What types of scaling are encouraged in DISES proposals?

The description highlights multiple types of scaling that can be relevant: spatial scaling, temporal scaling (for example, short-term decisions with long-term ecological consequences), and institutional scaling (for example, local rules nested within larger political and economic structures).

How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this opportunity?

NSF anticipated making about 15 awards under this DISES opportunity.

When was this DISES opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on June 18, 2020, and the original closing date was November 16, 2020.

What category of grant is DISES listed under?

Administratively, it is listed as a discretionary NSF research grant in the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" category.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this DISES listing?

The listing is associated with CFDA numbers 47.050, 47.074, and 47.075.

What is the award ceiling for DISES, and what does it mean if it is shown as 0?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0. This typically indicates that a fixed maximum is not specified in the summary field, and applicants should rely on the full solicitation and program guidance for typical award sizes, durations, and budget expectations.

Who is eligible to apply for DISES based on the listing?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." That indicates applicants should consult the full solicitation for precise eligibility categories and any special conditions.

Where should applicants look for details not specified in the summary (such as budget norms, duration, and exact eligibility)?

Based on the listing language, applicants should consult the full NSF solicitation and associated program guidance for details such as typical award sizes, project duration expectations, budgeting norms, and the precise eligibility requirements referenced by the "Additional Information on Eligibility" field.

What is the main takeaway about what DISES is designed to fund?

DISES is designed to fund interdisciplinary basic research that explicitly studies dynamic interactions and feedbacks between human and environmental processes as one integrated system, with an emphasis on explaining mechanisms, system behavior over time, and advancing theory and understanding.