Assemble. Disassemble. Reassemble.

What would you do if you could rebuild the world?

We are pleased to announce an open call for proposals for experiments to be conducted in the iDiv Ecotron during June-December 2023. The iDiv Ecotron is a mesocosm facility that provides infrastructure for experimental manipulation of biotic communities (aboveground and belowground) and abiotic environment (e.g. precipitation, nutrients) in terrestrial ecosystems. Established in 2017, based on a collaboration between UFZ and iDiv, the iDiv Ecotron is a Support Unit open to all iDiv members, associate members, and also external collaborators.

The goal of the call is to attract proposals for collaborative experiments that reflect innovation at iDiv and the modern biodiversity research agenda. Proposals will be evaluated by the Ecotron Board, and will be ranked based on their 1) innovation and potential impact, 2) integration, 3) feasibility, 4) fit to iDiv mission (https://www.idiv.de/en/about-idiv/missions.html), and 5) alignment with the aims of the Ecotron facility (https://www.idiv.de/en/research/platforms-and-networks/idiv-ecotron.html). 

Potential experiments could include, but are not limited to, those that test mechanisms underlying: A) complexity-stability relationships, B) scaling of diversity-function relationships, C) ecosystem response to perturbation or stress, D) biodiversity and bioenergy.

Application materials should be sent to Jes Hines (jessica.hines@idiv.de)

There will be a two-stage application process.

1. Pre-proposal(Deadline- 18 November 2022): In the first stage, the pre-proposal will consist of a few sentences (e.g. 1-3 sentences) describing the very basic topic or seed of the idea that you would like to investigate.  

The goal of the pre-proposal is to help us connect people with similar interests, and to give some preliminary feedback on feasibility for new Ecotron users. To stimulate thinking and help people get in touch with each other for development of a full proposal, we will inform the iDiv community about the list of potential topics starting 21 November 2022.

        2. Full proposals(Deadline- 20 January 2022): In the second stage,full proposals will be submitted. There are no strict length or format requirements, but they need to include:

A. State of the art (e.g. 1 page)

B. Statement of why it is important to conduct the experiment in the iDiv Ecotron (e.g. 1 paragraph)

C. Hypotheses

D. Experimental Design, Methods, and Timeline (e.g. 1 page)

E. Budget (Describe how you propose to use Ecotron Experiment funds - up to €7000 + 1 Hiwi 8hr/wk, and what budget you will provide)

F. Names of collaborators and specifically people who will be responsible for writing up and publishing results.

3. Funding decisions will be announced on 3 February 2023.

How many proposals will be funded? Each of 24 EcoUnits can be divided into 4 subunits allowing for 96 experimental units. Scientists can propose to use the full facility, or a fraction of the EcoUnits. Depending on the number of EcoUnits included in proposals, we will accept 1-2 proposals.

More Questions? We will hold info hours at 12:00 on 18 and 25 October 2022 to answer any questions you might have about the call or the facility.

Zoom Link for Info Hour 1 (18 October 2022 12:00):

uni-leipzig.zoom.us/j/69385053696

Meeting ID: 693 8505 3696

Passcode: 867808

Zoom Link for Info Hour 2 (25 October 2022 12:00):

uni-leipzig.zoom.us/j/69958188984

Meeting ID: 699 5818 8984

Passcode: 174393

Additional questions and requests for tours of the Ecotron Facility can be sent to Jes Hines (jessica.hines@idiv.de).