Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Iowa received a $1,085,683 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2030. This collaborative research initiative investigates the theoretical and empirical mechanisms by which reproductive mode drives mutation rate evolution across diverse organisms. The project delivers scientific research outputs including new evolutionary theory building on the drift-barrier hypothesis to model the short- and long-term impacts of reproductive mode variation, polyploidy, and beneficial mutations on mutation rates. Empirical deliverables include base-pair substitution and structural mutation rate measurements across three study systems representing independent transitions in reproductive mode: the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, the ciliate Tetrahymena, and additional model organisms.

Beyond primary research outputs, the award supports substantial workforce development and educational products through STEM activities and community engagement initiatives in Iowa and Texas. The project funds mentorship and training for graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and high school participants, contributing to biotechnology workforce development and providing career development opportunities in science and community outreach. These research findings address fundamental biological understanding of mutational processes relevant to aging, cancer development, and adaptive capacity of natural populations, while also providing practical applications for managing invasive species and predicting population-level adaptation to novel environments.