Open call: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation – Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative

May 11, 2026 | Awards & Funding, Faculty

To: Science Faculty
From: Office of Foundation Relations
Subject: Funding Opportunity

The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for proposals from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.  

 

Overview

The Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation aims to support  new collaborations that combine disciplinary expertise in aquatic symbiosis with leading-edge techniques from other areas of science and/or complementary disciplines. Proposals should address – in new ways – fundamental and long-standing questions about the origin, function, and evolution of symbiotic relationships of aquatic organisms. 

 

Symbioses within scope for this call must inhabit an aquatic environment and include a microbial partner. Microbes include bacteria, archaea and single-celled eukaryotes. Microbe-microbe associations are within scope. Projects should align with one or more of three topic areas:  

  1. How aquatic environments shape symbiotic interactions.
  2. Evolutionary ecology of symbiosis.
  3. Development of ambitious new methods, tools, or analytical approaches that expand capabilities to study aquatic symbioses.

Proposals must be submitted by a team of two researchers; one with expertise in aquatic symbiosis and one with complementary and/or cross-disciplinary expertise. 

Please see the full RFP here. Please see a list of FAQs here. 

 

Award Amount & Terms

  • Projects are expected to span three years
  • Detailed budgets will be developed for projects that are selected to advance in the process. The foundation does not require institutional sponsored projects offices to create a formal budget at this time. 

 

Eligibility 

  • Each proposal must be submitted by a team of two: 
    • One researcher with demonstrated expertise in aquatic symbiosis; 
    • One researcher with complementary expertise who strengthens and expands the project’s aims and approaches.
  • An individual may participate in only one proposal submission in response to this solicitation.
  • The foundation strongly encourages proposals to include collaborators who bring new methodological, theoretical, and disciplinary perspectives to aquatic symbiosis research
  • Proposals involving marine or freshwater systems that include microbial partners (bacteria, archaea, or single-celled eukaryotes) are within scope.

 

Timeline

  • July 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT Submission deadline
  • Late October Notification
  • Early 2027 Awards begin

 

Special Requirements: 

Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). For support developing your idea, please send a request to the Office of Research Development, resdev@ucsc.edu. Within the Division of Social Sciences, please contact Ashlee Tews (ashleeac@ucsc.edu) to initiate notification and proposal support.

 

Call sent: May 11, 2026

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The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact forde@ucsc.edu
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