Plant Biotic Interactions | 20 576

Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) Program (NSF/NIFA) - FAQs

1) What is the Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program?

The Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program is a joint grant opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It funds research that aims to understand how plants interact with other living organisms that closely associate with them.

2) Which agencies sponsor and administer this opportunity?

This is a joint NSF and NIFA opportunity, and it is administered by NSF as a discretionary grant program.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The NSF Funding Opportunity Number listed for PBI is 20-576.

4) What kinds of plant-associated partners are included in the program scope?

The program includes beneficial or harmful partners such as viruses, bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, other plants, and invertebrates. These organisms may act as symbionts, pathogens, or pests.

5) What types of biological relationships does PBI cover?

PBI covers the full range of symbiotic outcomes, including commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, and classic host-pathogen interactions.

6) Does PBI focus only on plant pathogens and disease?

No. While host-pathogen interactions are included, the program also supports research on beneficial associations and other interaction outcomes (for example, mutualistic or commensal relationships), as well as pests and symbionts.

7) Are microbiomes and multi-partner interactions within scope?

Yes. The program explicitly includes multi-partner interactions and welcomes studies on the roles of plant-associated microbiomes.

8) Can proposals focus on the plant, the partner organism, or both?

Yes. Proposed research can focus on the plant side, the microbe or pest side, or on the interaction itself.

9) What is the central scientific theme PBI is looking for?

A central theme is explaining the biological processes that shape plant-associated relationships, from basic, curiosity-driven science through more translational work that moves findings toward agricultural practice.

10) Is research on agriculturally important plants encouraged?

Yes. The program indicates openness to projects involving agriculturally important plants.

11) Are both model and non-model systems allowed?

Yes. The program is interested in both established and emerging model systems as well as non-model systems.

12) What stages or dynamics of associations does PBI want to understand?

PBI welcomes studies that address how associations begin, spread, persist, and ultimately influence plant health and performance.

13) What specific topics are highlighted as areas of interest?

Examples of topics of interest include metabolic exchanges between partners, immune recognition and signaling, regulatory mechanisms controlling host-symbiont relationships, reciprocal responses where each organism adjusts to the other, and self versus non-self recognition processes (including pollen-pistil interactions).

14) What does PBI mean by "mechanistic explanations"?

PBI emphasizes work that explains how interactions function through underlying biological processes. The program encourages approaches that use molecular, genomic, metabolic, cellular, network-level, and whole-organism methods to uncover mechanisms.

15) Are hypothesis-driven or discovery-driven projects allowed?

Yes. Projects can be hypothesis-driven, discovery-driven, or combine both.

16) Is quantitative or mathematical modeling allowed or encouraged?

Yes. Quantitative or mathematical modeling is encouraged when it is paired with experimental validation.

17) Are strictly ecological studies a good fit for PBI?

Not typically. Projects that are strictly ecological in nature without probing underlying mechanisms are described as not being a good fit for the program.

18) What is the broader purpose of the program?

The program is designed to deepen fundamental understanding of plant-associated interactions while also supporting research that can be translated into practical advances that benefit agriculture.

19) What funding category is this opportunity listed under?

The opportunity is listed under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

20) What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 10.310 and 47.074.

21) Are proposals accepted on a fixed deadline?

No fixed deadline is listed. The information provided indicates proposals are accepted at any time.

22) Approximately how many awards are expected?

The opportunity lists an expected total of around 30 awards.

23) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is shown as 0. This typically indicates that applicants should consult the solicitation or program guidance for budget expectations rather than assuming a preset maximum.

24) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text.

25) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 14, 2020.