In a call for pre-proposals that will be due as of 15 March 2008, the JRS Foundation requests proposals for projects that build upon existing international standards and institutions for data sharing such as those developed by GBIF and Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG).

Grants made under this JRS Foundation opportunity will be expected to clearly and specifically advance the field of biodiversity informatics.

Successful proposals will describe projects that are based on providing, refining, and making widely-available informatics tools that address important biodiversity issues.

Strong proposals will develop information and informatics tools that are useful for fact-based, biodiversity decision-making beyond the geographic bounds and time course of individual projects.

Proposals that are submitted should explain ways that computer systems, tools, and applications can be used to more effectively collect, maintain, evaluate and disseminate biodiversity information that is currently being collected or that has previously been collected in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

It is anticipated that this call will generate requests from organizations presently working on the acquisition, integration, analysis and application of biodiversity from the molecular, genetic, species, community, or broad ecosystem levels. It is expected that Foundation grant awards for approved projects will be in the range of USD $100,000 to $200,000.

The JRS Foundation has a particular interest in efforts that have the potential to yield new ways to understand and apply to public policy, biological information and to promote collaborative endeavors. There is also an interest in supporting international south-south and north-south partnerships and networks that transfer learning, research, and application capabilities. The Foundation also has an interest in promoting human capacity through its grants and encourages in proposals the inclusion of staff development, involvement of mentors, travel for short courses for junior and senior staff, and similar activities that will build biodiversity competence in developing nations.