research proposal for environmental science

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

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10 Comments

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55 Remarkable Environmental Topics for Research Proposal

Explore the collection of great environmental research topics from field experts.

Environmental Research Topics: Features, Importance & Great Ideas

Environmental investigations entail investigating the natural world’s structure and function, the association between humans and the environment, and how people’s values, beliefs, and attitudes affect that association. Environmental research topics thus cover a wide range of subjects, including climate change, biodiversity, pollution, renewable energy, and sustainability.

How to Choose Environmental Topics for Research

Environmental investigations is a very broad field that offers a wide range of areas to investigate. So how can you choose a good one for your paper? First, always pick an issue from the area you are interested in. What is environmental science direction you’d like to develop? Working on your paper will be easier since you’ll be motivated to explore something you care about. From there, sort through your environmental topics for research to determine the following:

• Relevance – does the proposal theme address an environmental issue with significant societal implications, such as pollution or climate change?
• Originality –  does the investigation subject offer a new perspective on existing knowledge?
• Feasibility – are the environmental topics to research realistic and achievable based on the scope and your available resources?
• Scope – how broad is the matter of investigation? It shouldn’t be too broad or too narrow; it should be the right size to provide a comprehensive investigation.

When choosing environmental science research paper topics, avoid those that are too complex or require more resources and time than you can provide. Remember also to consider data availability, literature, funding, time, and ethical issues involved.

Environmental Topics for Research Paper Are Not Created Equal

Environmental science topics are created differently depending on your discipline, purpose, scope, and methodology. Thus, the approach used to formulate them differs as they will serve different purposes. For example, some are explanatory and will try to explain how something happens or works. Others will try to seek more knowledge about a subject(exploratory). Then, you might also encounter a few that compare and contrast two phenomena or situations.

When assessing investigation issues, carefully evaluate your goals and interests before committing to a specific one. Otherwise, you might get stuck. Luckily our research proposal writing services are always here to help you help to get out of even the most challenging situation!

The Most Actual Environmental Science Topics for an Excellent Proposal

Natural and human-made systems that shape our planet and affect its inhabitants are one of the most interesting areas to write a paper about. Check out these environmental topics for research paper to produce an engaging proposal.

1. Consequences of Climate Change Human Societies.

2. Challenges of Renewable Energy Technologies.

3. Recycling Initiatives and Their Implications on Reducing Pollution.

4. Challenges of Sustainable Management of Freshwater Resources.

5. The Impact of Low Air Quality on Human Health.

6. Effectiveness of Conservational Policies in Addressing Environmental Issues.

7. Impacts of Sustainable Transportation in Reducing Urban Ecological Footprint.

8. Effect of Marine Pollution on Marine Ecosystems.

9. Challenges Facing Sustainable Farming Practices.

10. Impacts of Electricity Generation on the Environment.

11. Ecological Hazards of Electronic Waste.

12. Tourism’s Negative Effect on Ecosystems.

Environmental science research topics are often flexible and can be broadened or narrowed down depending on the scope of your study.

Interesting Environmental Justice Topics

Environmental justice involves advocating for fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in implementing environmental laws and policies. Here’re exciting environmental justice topics for a good proposal.

1. Effect of Hazardous Waste Facilities on Minority Communities.

2. The Influence of Air Pollution Exposure on the Health of Marginalized Populations.

3. Effect of Unequal Distribution of Parks and Green Spaces in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods.

4. Relationship Between Indigenous Communities and Conservation Efforts.

5. Influence of Climate Change on Vulnerable Communities.

6. Differential Impacts of Natural Disasters on Marginalized Populations.

7. The Importance of Environmental Education in Empowering Disadvantaged Communities.

8. Barriers to Equitable Access to Healthy and Sustainable Food Options in Marginalized Communities.

9. Geographical Inequalities in Accessing Clean Water.

10. The Intersection Between Food Justice and Ecological Concerns.

11. The Link Between Exposure to Pollutants Hazards and Adverse Health Outcomes in Socially Disadvantaged Groups.

12. Barriers to Equitable Distribution of Resources and Assistance During Post-disaster Recovery in Marginalized Communities.

The above can provide great options for a research proposal about environmental problems and how they affect specific populations.

Insightful Environmental Economics Research Topics

Environmental economics research topics aim to understand the human activities impacting on the natural environment and human welfare. So if you are looking for decent quantitative research ideas , consider the following offered by our experienced investigator.

1. Effectiveness of Economic Incentives in Promoting the Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources.

2. Effect of Pollution Regulations on Automobile Manufacturing Industry Competitiveness.

3. Factors Promoting Economic Growth in Green Industries and Sustainable Sectors.

4. The Economic Influence of Urban Sprawl on Environmental Quality.

5. Economic Implications of Water Scarcity.

6. Economic Incentives for Conserving Biodiversity.

7. Economic Benefits of Investing in Renewable Energy Technologies.

8. The Economic Viability of Strategies to Reduce Plastic Pollution.

9. Effectiveness of Carbon Pricing Mechanisms in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

10. Economic Consequences of Natural Disasters.

11. Economic Importance of Disaster Preparedness and Resilience.

12. Economic Benefits of Transitioning From a Linear to a Circular Economy Model Focused on Resource Efficiency and Waste Reduction.

13. Role of Green Finance & Sustainable Investments in Supporting Eco-Friendly Projects and Businesses.

14. Efficient Water Pricing Mechanisms to Encourage Conservation.

Captivating Environmental Biology Research Topics

Environmental biology research topics will often try to assess the interaction between living organisms and their natural or human-modified environments. Check out these interesting issues to investigate for your biology research proposal .

1. Ways in Which Climate Change Affects the Distribution and Habitat Suitability of Plants.

2. Relationship Between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health.

3. Role of Keystone Species in Maintaining Ecosystem Processes.

4. Human Factors Contributing to the Decline of Endangered Species.

5. Ecological Effect of Invasive Species on Local Ecosystems.

6. Factors Contributing to Pollinator Decline.

7. Ecological Consequences for Plant-Pollinator Interactions and Food Security.

8. Ecological Effects of Microplastics in Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems.

9. Shifts in the Timing of Seasonal Events in Animals in Response to Climate Change.

10. Ways in Which Changes in Land Use Impact Biodiversity.

11. Ways in Which Deforestation Impacts Ecological Communities.

12. Effects of Agricultural Pollutants on Ecosystems.

13. Challenges of Ecotoxicological Risk Assessments.

14. Ways in Which Wildlife Populations Adapt to Urban Environments.

15. Effects of Conservation on Human-Wildlife Interactions.

16. The Impact of Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels on Coral Reef Ecosystems.

17. The Influence of Marine Tourism on Marine Biodiversity.

DOWNLOAD Here More Environmental Research Proposal Ideas!

Importance of choosing the right environmental research paper topics.

Choosing the proper investigation issue is crucial for the success and impact of your paper. Topics related to environment issues tend to be complicated and demand a thorough understanding of the natural and social dimensions of the problem. But with the right choice, the writing process is much easier and gives a better chance to produce a quality paper.

Poor environmental research paper topics will waste your time, resources and even cause frustration when investigators struggle to meet the word count. So, choose your subjects of investigation wisely or request expert help if you need extra support.

While the above topics for environmental research papers might prove useful, sometimes picking a subject of investigation and working on a proposal can be daunting. But you shouldn’t worry. We have a large team of experienced writers ready to work on your paper and final paper. You only need to send your instructions, and they’ll embark on the task.

We’re here to help with your proposal. So drop us a line anytime you may need professional assistance!

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School of Environment, Education and Development

How to write a PGR research proposal

You will need to submit a research proposal with your PhD application. This is crucial in the assessment of your application and it warrants plenty of time and energy.

Your research proposal should be no more than 1500 words, Times New Roman, Font 12 (exclusive of references). Please provide a word count with your submission. If over length, the submission will be returned to you.

While there are different ways to structure a research proposal, usually a proposal includes the following:

A clear working title for your research project that expresses its essence well.

Overview of the research

An introduction where you identify the subject of your research in relation to theoretical contributions/hypothesis and relevant empirical applications, explaining why the project is important and highlighting why you wish to pursue this project.

Please also add a short paragraph stating why you want to apply to the School of Education, Environment and Development (SEED) at the University of Manchester, and how your research links to at least one of the four research priority themes :

• Global inequalities
• Cities and infrastructure
• Environmental change and sustainability
• Digital methods, perspectives, solutions; and/or the work of a specific research group

Positioning of the research

A short review of relevant literature and theories (or hypotheses) relating to your proposed research area, showing that you clearly understand the key arguments that have been developed and the ideas and findings of key researchers working on the topic. This should also demonstrate your familiarity with the subject area, and your ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.

Research design and methodology

• A summary of the central aims and questions that will guide your research.
• An outline of the research methods you propose to use, explaining how you will conduct your research, and a justification of those. Also consider perceived challenges, and how these may be overcome, plus a short timeline.

Ethical considerations

• You should identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research. Please discuss your research with your proposed supervisor to see how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance, and ensure that your proposed supervisor is happy for you to proceed with your application.
• Include a bibliography highlighting the key references that you have drawn on in the proposal (this does not count towards the 1500 words).

Supervisors

It is strongly advised that you contact your desired PGR supervisor beforehand and discuss your proposed research with them. Please note that contact can only be informal, and no decision can be made on your application until it is submitted and processed through the Humanities Doctoral Academy.

If an academic is interested in supervising your project, make sure to include their name on your application form.

Flexibility

You will not be forced to follow the proposal exactly once you have started to study. It is normal for applicants to refine their original proposal, in light of detailed literature review, further consideration of research approaches and comments received from your supervisors (and other academic staff).

Pitfalls to avoid

We sometimes have to reject applicants who meet the academic requirements but have not produced a satisfactory research proposal, therefore:

• Make sure that your research idea, question or problem is very clearly stated and well-grounded in academic research.
• Make sure that your proposal is well focused and conforms exactly to the submission requirements described here.
• Poorly specified, jargon-filled or rambling proposals will not convince us that you have a clear idea of what you want to do.

The University uses electronic systems to detect plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for assessment. All Humanities PhD programmes require the submission of a research proposal as part of the application process. The Doctoral Academy upholds the principle that where a candidate approaches the University with a project of study, this should be original. While it is understandable that research may arise out of previous studies, it is vital that your research proposal is not the subject of plagiarism.

If you need help and advice about your application, contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team.

University guidelines

You may also find it useful to read the advice and guidance on the University website about writing a proposal for your research degree application.

Writing an Ecological Research Proposal

• LDDL-EcologyResearchProposal.doc

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Environmental Sciences Ph.D. (EVS) Research Plan

Your ph.d. research plan.

The Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Program is a research-based degree program requiring a written and orally defended research dissertation. Since research is a primary component of this program, the Graduate Advisory Committee must approve the student's Research Plan.

• The Research Plan is not meant to be in the form of a formal research proposal. There is a separate course (required for Chemistry Concentration students) that teaches students how to prepare a formal research proposal.
• The Research Plan should be viewed like a contract between the student, the student's mentor, and the student's Graduate Advisory Committee. Changes to the Research Plan may occur while the research is carried out over the course of the student's tenure. The Graduate Advisory committee should be made aware of any substantial changes should this need arise.

Biology Concentration

The project must be defended by the end of the second semester or by the time the student has completed 15 hours of graduate coursework.

Chemistry Concentration

The Research Plan must be completed by the end of the third semester, excluding summer semesters.

Part Time Students

For part-time students, the Research Plan should be completed at a time agreeable with the students Graduate Advisory Committee.

Research Plan Guidelines

• The Research Plan should be a concise literature review of your proposed research. It should also include any preliminary results obtained by the student as well as the proposed experimental procedures and methods.
• The experimental procedures and methods should contain sufficient detail in order for the Graduate Advisory Committee to evaluate the proposal and judge its probability of success. Equipment and supplies necessary for this research should be adequately described.
• The Research Plan should include a bibliography; any other pertinent information may be included in the Research Plan.

Changes to Your Research Plan

• If changes are suggested at the time of the Research Plan Defense, then the corrected copy is the one that should be forwarded to the Directors office, along with the Research Plan Cover Sheet and any pertinent forms.
• If the Research Plan is abandoned and a new one is put in place, the Research Plan should be rewritten, presented to the student's Graduate Advisory Committee and forwarded to the Director's office with a revised Research Plan Cover Sheet and any other applicable forms.
• Research Plan Cover Sheet

The cover sheet must be attached to the Research Plan and copies of both must be forwarded to the Director of the Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Program.

Program of Study

• The appropriate completed Program of Study form should also be included with the Research Plan bearing all applicable signatures.
• The Director will then forward the Program of Study to the Graduate School Office.
• If a Program of Study has previously been filed, and if changes are made to the Program of Study at the time of the Research Plan, the Substitution Form should be sent to the Director as well.
• The Director will sign these forms and forward them to the Graduate School Office and retain copies for our records.
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Earth and Environmental Science

Your bsc (honours) thesis proposal.

• Structure of the proposal

How to write the proposal

• Helpful hints

What happens next?

You have your 3.00 GPA. You are registered in the thesis course. Now comes the thesis. Where do you start? The essential requirements for a thesis (formal departmental policy) are:

• a precise statement of objectives;
• a thorough overview and analysis of the literature;
• an objective analysis and presentation of the facts;
• a conclusion that follows logically from the analysis.
• it needs to incorporate a scientific method or approach to finding answers to questions, or incorporate scientific facts or data into the analysis and conclusions.
• the expectation is that the thesis research should be of potentially publishable quality.
• Environmental Science theses must be both science-based and reflect transdisciplinary thought and analysis.

The basic steps involved in this process are:

• An issue is identified.
• Other people's work on the topic is collected and evaluated.
• Data necessary to solving the problem are either collected by the student, or obtained independently.
• Data are analyzed using techniques appropriate to the data set.
• Results of the analysis are reported and are interpreted in light of the initial issue.
• Recommendations are proposed that would lead to a deeper understanding.

The Proposal

The final outcome of this process is a thesis that you will normally complete in the winter term. You start by identifying a research topic, finding a research supervisor, formulating a hypothesis, understanding the background of your project, developing or adapting appropriate methods, and summarizing the state of your project as a thesis proposal. The goal here is to progress as far as possible with the elements listed before embarking on time-consuming (and possibly expensive) data collection and analysis. The more you can accomplish during the summer and fall, the further you can drive the project in the end, and hopefully the easier life will be in the winter term (for both you and us!)

The purpose of writing a thesis proposal is to demonstrate that:

• the thesis topic addresses a significant problem;
• an organized plan is in place for collecting or obtaining data to help solve the problem;
• methods of data analysis have been identified and are appropriate to the data set.
• the proposal exists as a contract between you and your supervisor. It sets out what needs to be done, defines the limit of the project, and gives you a clear route to achieving the goal of finishing it on time.

If you can outline these points clearly in a proposal, then you will be able to focus on a research topic and finish it in a timely fashion. A secondary purpose of the proposal is to give you experience in the art of proposal writing. Any future career in Earth or Environmental Science, whether it be in industry or academia will require these skills in some form.

We are well aware that the best laid out research plans may go awry, and that the best completed theses sometimes bear only little resemblance to the thesis planned during the proposal. Therefore, when evaluating a thesis proposal, we are not trying to assure ourselves that you have clearly described a sure-fire research project with 0% risk of failure. If there was no risk of failure, it wouldn't be research.

Instead, what we're interested in seeing is if you have a clear handle on the process and structure of research as it is practised by our discipline. If you can present a clear and reasonable thesis idea, if you can clearly relate it to other relevant literature, if you can justify its significance, if you can describe a method for investigating it, and if you can decompose it into a sequence of steps that lead toward a reasonable conclusion, then the thesis proposal is a success regardless of whether you modify or even scrap the actual idea down the line and start off in a different direction. What a successful thesis proposal demonstrates is that, regardless of the eventual idea you pursue, you know the steps involved in turning it into a thesis.

Structure of a thesis proposal

Your thesis proposal should have the following elements in this order.

Table of contents

• Introduction

Thesis statement

• Evidence of serious consideration of the literature

Approach/methods

Preliminary results and discussion

Work plan including time table

• Implications of research

List of references

• Marking scheme (required for ENVS theses only)

The structure is very similar to that of a thesis or a scientific paper. You will be able to use a large fraction of the material of the thesis proposal in your final thesis.

• a short, descriptive title of the proposed thesis project  (should be fairly self-explanatory)
• author, institution, department, supervisor(s), and date of delivery
• the abstract is a brief summary of your thesis proposal
• its length should not exceed ~200 words
• it should present a brief introduction to the issue
• make the key statement of your thesis
• give a summary of how you want to address the issue
• refer to the principal techniques used to address the issue
• include a possible implication of your work, if successfully completed
• list all headings and subheadings with page numbers
• indent subheadings
• this section sets the context for your proposed project and must capture the reader's interest
• explain the background of your study starting from a broad picture narrowing in on your research question
• the introduction should be at a level that makes it easy to understand for readers with a general science background, for example your classmates
• in a couple of sentences, state your thesis
• this statement can take the form of a hypothesis, research question, project statement, or goal statement
• the thesis statement should capture the essence of your intended project and also help to put boundaries around it

Literature overview

• review what is known about your research topic as far as it is relevant to your thesis
• cite relevant references
• some theses will require a substantial review of the literature, which may extend to several pages. This section can usually be used directly in the thesis.
• what methods will be used?
• how will data be collected and analyzed?
• what materials will be used?
• include calculations, techniques, procedures, equipment, and calibration graphs
• detail limitations, assumptions, and range of validity
• citations should be limited to data sources and more complete descriptions of procedures
• do not include results and discussion of results here
• present any results you already have obtained
• discuss how they fit in the framework of your thesis
• describe in detail what you plan to do until completion of your thesis project
• list the stages of your project (e.g., in a bulleted list or table format)
• indicate deadlines you have set for completing each stage of the project, including any work you have already completed
• work in possible presentations at the AUGC, AGS or APICS conferences
• discuss any particular challenges that need to be overcome

Implications of Research

• what new knowledge will the proposed project produce that we do not already know?
• why is it worth knowing, what are the major implications?
• cite all ideas, concepts, text, data that are not your own
• if you make a statement, back it up with your own data or a reference
• all references cited in the text must be listed, using either Canadian Journals of Science or APA format
• do not use footnotes
• list all references cited in the text in alphabetical order using the Canadian Journals of Science or APA format

Marking scheme

Geology and Environmental Science theses use the same marking scheme:

Proposal: 10% (from advisor and 4996 coordinator) Thesis and research: 70% (by advisor) Presentation: 20% (advisor, with input from second reader)

• conclude your proposal with signatures from both the student and the supervisor(s), recognising that you agree on the work to be undertaken. The proposal exists as a contract between you and your supervisor(s). This does not mean that adjustments cannot be made as work proceeds, but is a benchmark you can go back to as you consider what still needs to be done.

Proceed in the following order:

• Meet with your supervisor(s) to discuss what you will be doing
• Hit the library and read about it
• Make an outline of your thesis proposal before you start writing
• Prepare figures and tables
• Figure captions
• Discussion of your data
• Inferences from your data

This order may seem backwards. However, it is difficult to write an abstract until you know your most important results. Sometimes, it is possible to write the introduction first. Most often the introduction should be written next to last.

Helpful Hints

• "A picture says a thousand words!" Figures serve to illustrate important aspects of the background material, sample data, and analysis techniques.
• A well chosen and well labeled figure can reduce text length, improve proposal clarity, and aid the reader in developing an image of the work proposed.  Proposals often contain figures from other articles. These can be appropriate, but you should consider modifying them if the modifications will improve your point.
• The whole process of making a drawing is important for two reasons.  First, it clarifies your thinking.  If you don’t understand the process, you can’t draw it. Second, good drawings are very valuable.  Other scientists will understand your paper better if you can make a drawing of your ideas.
• a picture of the scientific equipment that you are using and an explanation of how it works;
• a drawing of a cycle showing steps, feedback loops, and bifurcations: this can include chemical or mathematical equations;
• a flow chart showing the steps in a process and the possible causes and consequences.
• Incorporate graphs in the text or on separated sheets inserted in the thesis proposal

Grammar/spelling

• Poor grammar and spelling distract from the content of the proposal.  The reader focuses on the grammar and spelling problems and misses keys points made in the text.  Listen to your writing program when the grammar and spelling checkers identifies issues.
• Read your proposal aloud - then  have a friend read it aloud. If your sentences seem too long, make two or three sentences instead of one.  Try to write the same way that you speak when you are explaining a concept. Most people speak more clearly than they write.
• You should have read your proposal over at least 5 times before handing it in.
• Simple wording is generally better.
• If you get comments from others that seem completely irrelevant to you, your paper is not written clearly enough.
• Never use a complex word if a simpler word will do.

How long should it be?

• There is no set length for your proposal - this is up to you and your supervisor. The main determinant here is the review of background literature. If your topic has extensive background literature, this section may well run to 10 or more pages - and will be used verbatim in your thesis. It is not essential to critique every paper ever written that is related to your project, but you must demonstrate you have consulted previous work thoroughly.
• Putting aside the background literature, we recommend the remainder of your proposal be no more than 10 pages in length.

Your thesis proposal should be submitted to your supervisor and to the ENVS/GEOL 4996 coordinator, who will gather them all together, and make them available to faculty to review for two weeks. In practice, faculty members will browse them for interest, to see what you are going to be doing, but rarely make any major modification suggestions. Once you have submitted the proposal, you have agreed with your supervisor what is to be done, and you can get on with it.

University of California, Santa Barbara

Request for Proposals: MESM

The Bren School invites any agency, company, organization, or individual facing an environmental challenge to submit a proposal for a Master of Environmental Science and Management thesis project.

This is a valuable opportunity to have a group of talented master's students tackle the problem and make recommendations to address it. It is also an excellent opportunity to establish a working relationship with the Bren School. Projects give businesses, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations the opportunity to have a group of talented students tackle their environmental problem and make specific and meaningful recommendations.

The Bren School also invites partners to submit a proposal for a Master of Environmental Data Science (MEDS) capstone project .

How it Works

Throughout the project, clients receive high-quality consulting work that is approximately equivalent to one full-time employee engaged for a year. This work helps students develop skills in project management, teamwork, leadership, financial management, organization and data presentation, and effective stakeholder communication. The projects also serve to expand both parties’ professional networks by connecting future and current environmental leaders.

The Bren School encourages creative, interdisciplinary proposals, and has supported a variety of projects, including (but not limited to): cost benefit analyses, life cycle assessments, spatial planning, carbon accounting, fisheries management, pollution remediation, supply chain efficiencies, strategic communication, and assessing community attitudes toward environmental problems.

Deadline & Procedures

The Request for Proposals for the 2024-25 Group Project cycle is closed. The 2025-26 Group Project proposal cycle will open in Fall 2024.

All proposers are encouraged to contact the Bren School ([email protected]) as the first step in proposal development. The Bren School provides guidance regarding proposal content and format. They will also connect proposal authors with Bren faculty, staff, and students who can provide additional guidance and assistance in writing proposals.

Project proposals are due via email to [email protected] by 5:00 pm Pacific Time on January 12, 2024, and are limited to three (3) pages (excluding references, budget and justification, and client letter of support). Examples of successful proposal submissions and completed projects can be found in the Master’s Project Directory .

Please download and review the following documents in preparation: 

• Request for Proposals (PDF)  
• Proposal Guidelines & Format (PDF)

Desirable Project Attributes

Solution-Oriented. Group Projects prepare students to produce meaningful solutions to today’s environmental problems. To this end, projects should yield a specific policy or management recommendation, contain multidisciplinary elements, and align with student and faculty interest.

Data-Driven. Projects should also provide an existing dataset for students to analyze; projects that require extensive data collection or fieldwork are not desirable and will not be considered. Surveys or data collection can be a component of a project but should not be the primary focus.

Funding Support. External funding for the project (e.g., for summer internships, travel, or supplies, sampling and analysis) is one of several factors considered in project selection. If the proposal requires substantial resources, the client will need to include a clear commitment of financial support for the proposed project.

Collaborative, Yet Flexible. A spirit of trust and collaboration by all parties is expected; client involvement should support students while allowing them to develop their own ideas and approaches.

Project Timeline 2024-25

• Fall: The client works independently or with students to identify an environmental problem and write a Group Project proposal.
• Winter: Submit proposals by Friday, January 12, 2024. Projects are selected in late March; students and faculty advisors are assigned, and clients are notified by end of March.
• Spring: Client meets the team; students refine project objectives, gather data, review literature, and develop a work plan.
• Summer: Students often continue Group Project work through internships.
• Fall: Students work on analysis and produce an outline for their Group Project.
• Winter: Students complete an academic defense and their final reports
• Spring: Students present findings to the public, and produce an executive summary and additional deliverables as needed by the client.

Proposal Requirements

A successful project proposal will meet the following criteria:

• Represent a significant environmental problem that requires the group to produce a solution
• Focus on a precise science and policy or management question
• Provide data for analysis
• Match the interests, expertise, and capabilities of students and faculty
• Present a feasible project scope, given student experience and availability (must propose a manageable scope of work for a group of 4-5 master’s students spending about 25% of their time during three academic quarters, or 9 months)
• Anticipate financial needs and provide adequate support
• Support and prioritize open and professional communication among all parties; proposals should outline a clear client point of contact
• Projects that require completion before March (of the second project year) are not feasible and will not be considered

Proposal Format & Content

Download a PDF of this format and content information  

Project proposals are limited to three pages (excluding references, budget and justification, and client letter of support).

• Title , descriptive of the environmental science and management problem to be solved.  
• Name and contact information (email, phone, and affiliation) of the proposer(s). Proposers may be clients, faculty, and/or Bren students. If you have worked actively with a faculty member or student(s) to write the proposal, please list them as co-authors. If more than two Bren students contribute to the proposal, the client and/or students must select two primary student authors. If the proposal is selected, the two primary student authors will have the option to be guaranteed membership in the group.  
• Client/organization, including name, email, phone, and affiliation. The client/organization is the primary representative of the client organization and the main point of contact for students. All clients listed on the proposal will be notified at the end of Winter Quarter (late March) regarding the status of the proposal. If you would prefer to limit notification of the proposal status to specific individuals, please note this in your proposal.   
• Proposed Project  (3 pages): a. Objectives. Briefly describe the environmental problem that you seek to solve with this project. What do you intend to accomplish for the client/organization? What specific question(s) would you like to have answered by the project? Think of the bigger picture, beyond the client/organization. The methodology for how you will reach your objectives will be described below in Possible Approach, not in Objectives. Concentrate on formulating a few (2-4) specific and attainable objectives that involve both science and policy/management . b. Implications. Contextualize the importance of this work and its current relevance. Shed light on the problem's origins, underscoring the significance of addressing it now. If relevant, specify the project's geographic scope and provide a glimpse into past efforts to tackle the challenge, if known. Explain what new insights you intend to add to help solve the problem. Identify the target audience and highlight potential beneficiaries beyond the client who could gain from the project's outcomes. c. Equity. A project may address a historical environmental injustice, or prevent one from happening. Does the proposed project have the potential to address specific environmental justice issues? If so, in what ways will this project improve environmental equity? If the project will involve overburdened and underserved communities, briefly describe the environmental burden, what benefits the project aims to provide, and a few steps you will take to prevent further negative impacts during the time of the project. If the project does not involve specific equity concerns, indicate this here and provide justification for why equity is not being considered in the scope of the project.   The US Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys: (1) the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and (2) equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work." ( https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice ). d. Available data. Describe the data available for understanding, analyzing, and addressing the problem. If possible, provide direct links to available data sources. Explain how and when students can gather data for analysis. If data acquisition is required (e.g., survey, field work), specify the process clearly. Share any specific data sources or acquisition methods that you have in mind. Note that the students will have a limited amount of time for data acquisition, and this is an important factor in the selection process. If access to proprietary data will require a Non-Disclosure Agreement, indicate it here. e. Possible approaches. Very briefly summarize potential strategies for meeting project objectives. This should be very general, addressing “how could the problem be solved?” using the available data/information mentioned above. While students refine approaches for Group Projects, initial client input helps focus the project. f. Deliverables. All Group Projects generate a final written report, executive summary, and final presentation. Do you need a client-specific project output (e.g., a model, a database, a video)? Further deliverables will be discussed between the client and project team once teams are assigned. g. Internships. Clients are encouraged to provide at least one summer internship (see Internships section below) to a student(s) in the Group Project to further the goals of the project, help the student(s) develop professional skills, and build stronger relationships with the client. Please describe the number of internships, including any financial compensation, and duties in the client’s letter of support.  
• Internships:  Include internships in the proposal only if they are certain to be provided upon project selection. Internships should align with Group Project objectives and cultivate students' professional skills. A mentor from the client's organization must guide the student professionally. Projects with paid student internships have higher selection potential. Clients can directly pay interns or contribute to Bren School's Summer Internship Fellowship Fund for the project (details in Funding section). If valuable unpaid opportunities exist but funding is lacking, unpaid internships may still be included.  
• An internship will be offered and it is well-defined and funded (How many internships and how much funding?).
• An internship will be offered and funded, but it is not well-defined. (How many internships and how much funding?).
• An internship will "most likely" be offered but it is not well-defined and funding is unclear at this time.
• An internship will be offered but there is no funding available (How many internships are you willing to provide?).
• An internship is unlikely at this time, but it might be a possibility at a later date.
• No internships are available and will not be offered as part of this Group Project.  
• Proposal writer selected for internship
• Interested group members apply or interview
• Group selects dedicated intern  
• Commitment Caution : If you commit to internships with funding, only commit if certain, and please follow through with your funding process promptly. Students finalize internship plans by May 1. Delays to this timeline cause significant stress and burden on students and jeopardize the client’s ability to secure interns. These guidelines ensure clarity for students juggling academics and internship searches. Your cooperation is appreciated.  
• Summer Internship Fellowships: The Bren School offers Summer Internship Fellowships (SIF) to support students completing low-paying or unpaid internships. The small stipend offsets a portion of the students' travel and living expenses. This funding is not a work stipend, is not guaranteed, and depends on financial resources in a given year.  
• If the client is providing direct support for the student intern(s), then the client is responsible for managing those funds.
• If the client is interested in making a gift to the Bren School for a specific Group Project through the Summer Internship Fellowship Fund, then the Bren School will select and provide the fellowship funding to the student intern(s). Please contact Assistant Dean for Partnerships & Development Dr. Lotus Vermeer ( [email protected] ) for guidance on how to make a gift. Gifts can be restricted in support of a specific Group Project and are subject to UCSB’s 6% gift fee.  
• Data:   If the client intends to provide data or facilitate the acquisition of data, the client should specify the type and content of the data and when it will be available to students. It is preferable for the data to be provided to the students with no stipulation for a non-disclosure agreement or restriction for publication. If a non-disclosure agreement is required, please describe the constraints around the use of the data. NDAs require review by UCSB’s legal team and should be promptly provided to students to ensure no lags in the data acquisition process.

Limited Intellectual Property License

By participating in the Group Project, the client agrees that: (1) its logo and other "publicly available" intellectual property may be used by the Bren School (e.g., its students, faculty and staff) solely in connection with the specific Group Project in which the client participates, and (2) any Group Project’s deliverables containing the client’s logo or other intellectual property may be made publicly available via the Bren School’s website and other formats.

Upon written request by the client, a Group Project incorporating the client’s intellectual property will include a disclaimer identifying the client as the owner of the intellectual property and that all rights are reserved by the client. The client may, upon written request, withhold consent to use certain intellectual property owned by the client. 

Contact the Bren School using the form below. We can provide guidance regarding proposal content and format. We will also connect proposal authors with Bren faculty, staff, and students who can provide additional guidance and assistance in writing proposals.

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AFFECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND

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Call for Exploratory Research Proposals, FY 2024

• July 6, 2023 Letters of intent due at 5 p.m. PDT
• July 28, 2023 Full proposal invitations
• August 31, 2023 Full proposals due
• November 30, 2023 Decision notices
• January 1, 2024 Projects begin

*Updated: January 20, 2024

Proposal Call Overview

Proposals must employ one or more of the capabilities highlighted below to advance scientific understanding in the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory’s (EMSL’s) three Science Areas. As a guide, at least 30% of the research effort should focus on the highlighted capabilities in terms of requested hours or samples analyzed. Other EMSL Instruments and Resources may be used to supplement your research plan. Interested users are encouraged to work closely with EMSL scientists when developing the letter of intent (LOI) and subsequent proposal.

An LOI is required before submitting a proposal, and full proposals may only be submitted by invitation. EMSL utilizes  dual anonymous peer review  for this call. Full proposals must be anonymized to enable dual anonymous peer review. Successful proposals will include well-described research plans that can be completed within the nine-month project period.

For questions about the proposal submission process, please contact User Program Services .

For technical help with the EMSL User Portal (NEXUS), please contact NEXUS Support .

For scientific questions, contact EMSL staff identified in highlighted capabilities of the proposal call.

Highlighted Capabilities

• Single-cell biology capabilities that encompass microscopy, activity-based probing, proteomics, and/or transcriptomics workflows to elucidate intercellular signaling, communication, and ensuing heterogeneity that underpin the phenotypes of microbial systems. (Contact:  Alex Beliaev )  
• The 1000 Fungal Proteins project aims to utilize structural biology resources, both experimental and computational, to accelerate the annotation of proteins of unknown function that are highly conserved across the fungal kingdom. User samples can enter the pipeline at various points, including users who already have proteins or metabolites highly purified and available for shipment, to those users who only have a gene sequence and would utilize our computational or experimental workflows from gene to structure.
• Experiments focused on stable isotope labeling using multi-omics to study the flux of carbon or other nutrients through natural systems (e.g., soils, biofilms, axenic cultures) as well as to inform biotechnology applications. (Contact: Mary Lipton , David Hoyt )
• Activity-based probes to explore enzyme function and characterize biochemical pathways. For example, EMSL recently developed a probe library to broadly profile amidase activity, which targets both canonical (peptide-like) and non-canonical amide hydrolase activity. We seek proposals utilizing this library or working with us to develop probes for other activities. (Contact:  Sankar Krishnamoorthy ) 
• Artificial intelligence/machine learning methods to mine information from 2D chemical maps, process multimodal data, help co-register spatial data from different instruments, or expand 2D chemical info to 3D space. Proposals testing artificial intelligence/machine learning aided methods for molecular simulations are also encouraged. (Contact: Satish Karra)
• Exploratory and statistical data analysis using one or more tools in the Multi-omics Analysis Portal (MAP) to analyze existing data. The MAP is a web-based portal with a suite of applications that provides users access to visualization and statistical techniques without requiring statistical programming. Data supported include metabolomics from nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid or gas chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/GC-MS), isobaric labeled or unlabeled proteomics, LC-MS lipidomics, Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS), and RNA-Seq count data. (Contact: Kelly Stratton )
• 2D chemical mapping using mass spectrometry methods: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, nanospray desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, or nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (Contact: Amir Ahkami ).
• TerraForms (formerly synthetic soil habitats), such as rhizosphere-on-a-chip (Contact: Arunima Bhattacharjee , Jayde Aufrecht ), integrated with one of the chemical mapping methods highlighted in this call.
• Laser ablation-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (Contact: Sophie Lehmann ).
• X-ray computed tomography (XCT) integrated with 2D chemical mapping and artificial-intelligence-based data analysis (Contact: Tamas Varga ).
• 2D chemical mapping using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry (Contact: Odeta Qafoku ).
• Controlled combustion system (Contact: Zezhen Cheng ).
• Thermal desorption gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-fight mass spectrometry (Contact: Swarup China ).
• Long high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometry (Contact: Swarup China, Zezhen Cheng ).
• Molecular dynamics simulations and high-performance computing (Contact: Amity Andersen , Satish Karra ).
• Measurements of soil organic matter reactivity using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (Contact: Qian Zhao ), LC-FTICR-MS for improved formula assignment and expanded mass ranges (Contact: Will Kew , Nicole DiDonato ), or FTICR-MS measurements coupled with mineral pool extractions and XCT or 2D imaging (Contact: Tamas Varga ).
• Imaging soil organic matter using at least one of the following methods: helium-ion microscopy (Contact: Shuttha Shutthanandan ), transmission electron microscopy of microbial cells (Contact: Alice Dohnalkova ), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry chemical analysis (Contact: Odeta Qafoku ), atom probe tomography (Contact: Mark Wirth ), and/or nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (Contact: Jeremy Bougoure , John Cliff ).

Get Started

Develop a Research Plan

Submit a Letter of Intent

Submit a Full Proposal to the Anonymized Call

Review criteria

User proposals are peer reviewed against the four criteria listed below. For each criterion, the reviewer rates the proposal as Outstanding, Excellent, Good, Fundamentally Sound, or Questionable Impact as well as provides detailed comments on the quality of the proposal to support each rating, noting specifically the proposal's strengths and weaknesses. The reviewer also provides overall comments and recommendations to support the ratings given. These scores and comments serve as the starting point for Proposal Review Panel (PRP) discussions. The PRP is responsible for the final score and recommendation to EMSL management.

Criterion 1: Scientific merit and quality of the proposed research (50%)

Potential Considerations: How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative and original concepts? How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity?   If successful, would the proposed research deliver high-impact products (for example, be publishable in high-impact journals)?

Criterion 2: Relevance of the proposed research to EMSL's mission (20%)

EMSL’s mission is to accelerate scientific discovery and pioneer new capabilities to understand biological and environmental processes across temporal and spatial scales. EMSL leads the scientific community toward a predictive understanding of complex biological and environmental systems to enable sustainable solutions to the nation’s energy and environmental challenges.

EMSL supports the mission of the BER program in the DOE to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological, Earth, and environmental systems for energy and infrastructure security, independence, and prosperity. BER seeks to understand the biological, biogeochemical, and physical processes that span from molecular and genomics-controlled scales to the regional and global scales that govern changes in watershed dynamics, climate, and the Earth system.

Starting with the genetic information encoded in organisms’ genomes, BER research seeks to discover the principles that guide the translation of the genetic code into the functional proteins and the metabolic and regulatory networks underlying the systems biology of plants and microbes as they respond to and modify their environments. This predictive understanding will enable design and reengineering of microbes and plants underpinning energy independence and a broad clean energy portfolio, including improved biofuels and bioproducts, improved carbon storage capabilities, and controlled biological transformation of materials such as nutrients and contaminants in the environment.

BER research further advances the fundamental understanding of the dynamic, physical, and biogeochemical processes required to systematically develop Earth system models that integrate across the atmosphere, land masses, oceans, sea ice, and subsurface. These predictive tools and approaches are needed to inform policies and plans for ensuring the security and resilience of the Nation’s critical infrastructure and natural resources.

Note: Projects with direct relevance in these areas will have the best chance for selection. Other projects of scientific significance are also welcomed, but the applicant should clearly outline how the project will further a DOE mission or other areas with economic or societal impact .

Potential Considerations:  What is the relationship of the proposed research to EMSL's mission? Does the research project significantly advance the mission goals? How well does the project plan represent a unique or innovative application or development of EMSL capabilities?

Criterion 3: Impact of the proposed research on one or more EMSL Science Areas (20%)

Potential Considerations:  Will the proposed research advance scientific and/or technological understanding of issues pertaining to one or more EMSL Science Areas? To what extent does the proposed research suggest and explore creative and original concepts related to one or more EMSL Science Areas? How strongly does it relate to the Science Area's focused topics as outlined in the most recent Call for Proposals? How well will it advance EMSL along the directions specifically outlined in the focused topics?

Criterion 4: Appropriateness and reasonableness of the request for EMSL resources for the proposed research (10%)

Potential Considerations:  Are EMSL capabilities and resources essential to performing this research? Are the proposed methods/approaches optimal for achieving the scientific objectives of the proposal? Are the requested resources reasonable and appropriate for the proposed research? Does the complexity and/or scope of effort justify the duration of the proposed project—including any modifications to EMSL equipment to carry out research? Is the specified work plan practical and achievable for the proposed research project? Is the amount of time requested for each piece of equipment clearly justified and appropriate?

Researchers call for return of Sumas Lake following devastating 2021 floods

New paper finds restoring the lake will help in climate adaptation, endangered species restoration and indigenous reconciliation.

A new proposal has emerged in response to the November 2021 floods that swept Sumas Prairie in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, causing mass evacuations and millions in damages.

Instead of rebuilding the dykes to manage water flows and prevent future floods, scientists at UBC, along with members of the Sumas First Nation and other research partners, suggest an alternative: let Sumas Lake, which was drained in the early 1920s and converted into the farmland known as Sumas Prairie, return to its natural state.

This can be done by buying out properties on the lakebed -- a solution that is projected to cost around $1 billion, less than half of the estimated $2.4 billion cost of repairing the dykes and installing a new pump station.

"Dyke rehabilitation programs tend to assume that future waterflows will be predictable, however climate projections show that flooding events are likely to increase in the future -- and the water needs somewhere to go," says study author Riley Finn, a researcher at the Martin Conservation Decisions Lab at UBC in a paper published today in Frontiers of Conservation Science .

"By restoring Sumas Lake -- Semá:th Xhotsa -- we can help the region adapt to future floods, facilitating climate resiliency in the long term. It is the most ecologically responsible solution for flood management in the region."

Ecological reconciliation

The authors note that restoring the lake will also promote healthy food systems and ecological reconciliation, addressing the ongoing harms caused by the loss of the lake to the Semá:th people.

Before its conversion to agricultural land, Sumas Lake supported thriving populations of salmon, sturgeon, ducks, and food and medicinal plants, many of which are now endangered.

Chief Dalton Silver, Sumas First Nation said "For the Semá:th people, the lake represented life and livelihood. In 1924, the lake was drained in an instance of land theft, decimating an ecology that supported a rich and diverse Indigenous food system and replacing it with a settler food system.

"My grandpa used to say that in the Coast Salish Territory, Semá:th was the central location where the people used to gather. The people gathered in the summertime as we had Semá:th Lake that once offered every species of fish right there at the front of our village and in the wintertime, people gathered there from all parts of the Coast Salish Territory for the winter ceremonies."

Managed retreat

The study integrates Indigenous laws and oral tradition and the concept of "managed retreat" -- the purposeful relocation of people and infrastructure to safer areas.

"In a time when climate-change induced flooding is predicted to increase, our study shows that incorporating Indigenous laws and knowledge is essential for developing more sustainable and just solutions," said Dr. Tara Martin, the study's senior author and a professor of forest and conservation sciences at UBC. "We need to explore innovative solutions, not just build more dykes."

Humans seem to want to build bigger and better infrastructure but it is always at the detriment of our ecosystem and environment, added co-author Murray Ned, a member of the Sumas First Nation and executive director of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance.

"Mother Nature signaled to us in 1990 and 2021 that the spirit of the Semá:th Xhotsa is alive and well, and ready to return with or without our cooperation. This research demonstrates that there are more economical and logical options that would allow us to reconcile some of the past harms of draining the lake a hundred years ago, and still maintain agricultural opportunities and the farming community in the region," said Ned.

• Environmental Issues
• Sustainability
• Environmental Policies
• Land Management
• Resource Shortage
• World Development
• Prairie Restoration
• Water scarcity
• Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Mississippi
• Hurricane Andrew
• Lake effect snow
• National security

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of British Columbia . Original written by Lou Bosshart. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Riley J. R. Finn, Murray Ned - Kwilosintun, Leah Ballantyne, Ian Hamilton, Janice Kwo, Rayanna Seymour-Hourie, Deborah Carlson, Kristen E. Walters, Jennifer Grenz, Tara G. Martin. Reclaiming the Xhotsa: climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration via the return of Sumas Lake . Frontiers in Conservation Science , 2024; 5 DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2024.1380083

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National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis

Calls for Proposals

Turn big data into big insights that improve our world .

We periodically invite researchers to submit proposals for collaborative, synthesis research projects in both basic and applied environmental science. If selected, research teams, called working groups, meet one to two times per year at our headquarters in Santa Barbara, CA to focus on their projects.

Successful proposals present research questions that could benefit specifically from the synthesis of existing data and analysis by an interdisciplinary team. 

To receive notifications of open calls for proposals, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter.

Open Calls for Proposals

The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative is a partnership between NCEAS and the  NOAA RESTORE Science Program  to fund synthesis science and postdoctoral researchers. Working groups of scientists and decision makers will collaborate to solve pressing questions across the Gulf of Mexico. Synthesis science proposals and working groups will cover three main areas of research for decision making in the Gulf of Mexico: fisheries, climate change, and the ecological impacts of management. 

The Initiative's annual call for proposals yields 2-3 working groups funded at approximately $75,000 - $125,000 to convene their teams and conduct their work across 2-years. NCEAS provides  training expertise , logistical and cyberinfrastructure support, state-of-the-art facilities, and years of experience running innovative  transdisciplinary working groups . The NCEAS synthesis  working group approach  produces applied science outcomes that can inform  transformative changes  to policy and practice, and can help organizations build science capacity while producing innovative, challenge-specific scientific results

Read our  summary  about the 2023 call for proposals.

Required proposal elements and instructions can be found on the GulfEco Website:  www.nceas.ucsb.edu/gulfeco

The Morpho Initiative’s Annual Request for Proposals  asks potential team leaders to propose a research opportunity to influence management action. Each project will bring together a working group of 12-15 experts for 3-4 in-person collaborative sessions over 24 months. The group will conceive new approaches to its respective problem, synthesize data relevant to the work, and develop science in service of relevant solutions. Between sessions, members will collaborate remotely, participate in Morpho-provided trainings, explore emerging research, identify opportunities to enhance management, and publish results. We will advise on best practices for open data science and offer advice for technical matters related to the group’s synthesis project. Over time, ideas and relationships fostered within Morpho teams may influence management policy or practice at local, state, national or international levels. Awards will be announced in June 2024 and groups will start in Fall 2024. 

Read our full 2024  Call for Proposals .

Required proposal elements and instructions can be found on the Morpho Website:  www.nceas.ucsb.edu/morpho

The  data produced at LTER sites  are an extraordinary scientific resource that can inform a wide variety of questions. Among-site comparisons interrogate the generality of effects observed at particular sites. Modeling efforts employ long term observations and experiments to formulate and test rigorous descriptions of theory. Scaling exercises get at the continental or even global impacts of documented effects. LTER synthesis working groups organized through the LTER Network Office (LNO) are intended to support collaboration on these and many other types of questions.

Please check back in Spring 2024 for our next call for proposals - https://lternet.edu/synthesis/ 

Working Group Model

Collaboration and diversity are among our core values, and team science is part of our approach. Our research is always conducted in working groups, a model we've pioneered for the field of ecology. 

Research proposals should reflect these values and approach. 

Calls for proposals are typically associated with one of the following initiatives.

Gulf ecosystem initiative.

The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative is a partnership between the NCEAS and the NOAA RESTORE Science Program to fund synthesis science and postdoctoral research. Working groups of scientists and decision makers will collaborate to solve pressing questions across the Gulf of Mexico. Synthesis science proposals and working groups will cover three main areas of research for decision making in the Gulf of Mexico: fisheries, climate change, and the ecological impacts of management.

Morpho Initiative

The Morpho Initiative is an applied environmental science initiative that convenes working groups consisting of government agency, NGO, tribal, and academic researchers to develop and accelerate science in the service of environmental management.

Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Synthesis

Through the LTER Network Office, we solicit proposals for projects that synthesize and analyze data from one or more LTER sites. While all relevant ideas will be considered, the selection committee is most interested in ideas that could have high-impact results in the core LTER research areas. Principal investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the Network Office to briefly discuss ideas before submitting proposals.

Special Projects

We occasionally convene one or more working groups to tackle a specific issue of interest to a funding partner, such as a foundation, consortium, or government agency.

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Scholars' Bank

Environmental studies theses and dissertations.

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• AN ACCUMULATION OF CATASTROPHE: A POLITICAL ECONOMY OF WILDFIRE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES  Dockstader, Sue ( University of Oregon , 2024-03-25 ) This dissertation is an environmental sociological study of wildland fire in what is now the western United States. It examines wildfire management from roughly the 1900s to the present time employing a Marxist historical ...
• Managing Life's Future: Species Essentialism and Evolutionary Normativity in Conservation Policy, Practice, and Imaginaries  Maggiulli, Katrina ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Folk essentialist and normative understandings of species are not only prevalent in popular layperson communities, but also end up undergirding United States conservation policy and practice due to the simplistic clarity ...
• Unsettled Ecologies: Alienated Species, Indigenous Restoration, and U.S. Empire in a Time of Climate Chaos  Fink, Lisa ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation traces environmental thinking about invasive species from Western-colonial, diasporic settlers of color, and Indigenous perspectives within U.S. settler colonialism. Considering environmental discourses ...
• Futuremaking in a Disaster Zone: Everyday Climate Change Adaptation amongst Quechua Women in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca  Moulton, Holly ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Indigenous women in Peru are often labeled “triply vulnerable” to climate change due to race, gender, and economic marginalization. Despite Peru’s focus on gender, Indigeneity, and intersectionality in national adaptation ...
• Land Acts: Land's Agency in American Literature, Law, and History from the Colonial Period to Removal  Keeler, Kyle ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation examines land’s agency and relationships to land in the places now known as the United States as these relationships appear in literature and law from early colonization to the removal period. Land Acts ...
• PALEOTEMPERATURE, VEGETATION CHANGE, FIRE HISTORY, AND LAKE PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE LAST 14,500 YEARS AT GOLD LAKE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST, USA  Baig, Jamila ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The postglacial history of vegetation, wildfire, and climate in the Cascade Range (Oregon) is only partly understood. This study uses high-resolution analysis from a 13-meter, 14,500-year sediment core from Gold Lake to ...
• On Western Juniper Climate Relations  Reis, Schyler ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Western juniper woodlands are highly sensitive to climate in terms of tree-ring growth, seedling establishment and range distribution. Understanding the dynamics of western juniper woodlands to changes in precipitation, ...
• Stories We Tell, Stories We Eat: Mexican Foodways, Cultural Identity, and Ideological Struggle in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles  Sanchez, Bela ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Food is a biological necessity imbued with numerous social, cultural, and economic implications for identity production and everyday meaning-making. Food television is a unique medium for the meanings of food and foodways ...
• Soil Nutrient Additions Shift Orthopteran Herbivory and Invertebrate Community Composition  Altmire, Gabriella ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Anthropogenic alterations to global pools of nitrogen and phosphorus are driving declines in plant diversity across grasslands. As such, concern over biodiversity loss has precipitated a host of studies investigating how ...
• Multispecies Memoir: Self, Genre, and Species Justice in Contemporary Culture  Otjen, Nathaniel ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Liberal humanism articulates an individual, rational, autonomous, universal, and singularly human subject that possesses various rights and freedoms. Although the imagined subject at the heart of liberal humanist philosophy ...
• Understanding How Changes in Disturbance Regimes and Long-Term Climate Shape Ecosystem and Landscape Structure and Function  Wright, Jamie ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Long-term and anthropic climatic change intersecting with disturbances alters ecosystem structure and function across spatiotemporal scales. Quantifying ecosystem responses can be convoluted, therefore utilizing multiproxy ...
• Ikpíkyav (To Fix Again): Drawing From Karuk World Renewal To Contest Settler Discourses Of Vulnerability  Vinyeta, Kirsten ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) The Klamath River Basin of Northern California has historically been replete with fire-adapted ecosystems and Indigenous communities. For the Karuk Tribe, fire has been an indispensable tool for both spiritual practice and ...
• Grassland Restoration in Heterogeneous, Changing, and Human Dominated Systems  Brambila, Alejandro ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Ecological restoration is a powerful tool to promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. Understanding underlying system variability and directional change can help predict outcomes of restoration interventions. Spatial ...
• Restoring What? And for Whom? Listening to Karuk Ecocultural Revitalization Practitioners and Uncovering Settler Logics in Ecological Restoration.  Worl, Sara ( University of Oregon , 2022-05-10 ) What does it mean to restore a landscape degraded by settler colonialism? How might a well intentionedprocess like ecological restoration end up causing harm from underlying settler colonial logics? This thesis explores ...
• Instigating Communities of Solidarity: An Exploration of Participatory, Informal, Temporary Urbanisms  Meier, Briana ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) This dissertationexamines the potential for participatory, informal urbanisms to buildcollaborative relations across ontological, cultural, and political difference. This research contributes to thefield of urban, environmental ...
• The Holy Oak School of Art and Ecology: A Proposal for Arts-Based Environmental Education Programming  Best, Krysta ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The following is a proposal for arts-based environmental education programming in elementary schools, after-school programs, and day-camp programs, entitled the Holy School of Art and Ecology. Ecophenomenological, arts-based ...
• Settler Colonial Listening and the Silence of Wilderness in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area  Hilgren, Bailey ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area soundscape in northern Minnesota has a long and contested history but is most often characterized today as a pristine and distinctly silent wilderness. This thesis traces the construction and ...
• Species Dynamics and Restoration in Rare Serpentine Grasslands under Global Change  Hernandez, Eliza ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Conserving rare serpentine grasslands is a challenge with ongoing nitrogen deposition. Nutrient-poor patches are fertilized by nitrogen-rich smog and exotic grasses can rapidly spread. Water resources are also being altered ...
• Place-making and Place-taking: An Analysis of Green Gentrification in Atlanta Georgia  Okotie-Oyekan, Aimée ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Despite the benefits of urban greenspace, Atlanta’s Westside Park is causing gentrification and displacement pressures in Grove Park, a low-income African-American community in northwest Atlanta, Georgia. This study used ...
• Prairie Plant Responses to Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest  Reed, Paul ( University of Oregon , 2021-09-13 ) Understanding how plants respond to climate change is of paramount importance since their responses can affect ecosystem functions and patterns of biodiversity. At the population level, climate change may alter phenology ...

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