Federal Grant Award Summary

Florida State University received a $253,886 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Environmental Biology under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), awarded June 15, 2026, with completion targeted for May 31, 2029. This collaborative research project investigates how geological dynamics and biological interactions jointly shape biodiversity in mountain ecosystems, with particular focus on mountain squamates (lizards and snakes). The research integrates newly assembled trait datasets with phylogenetic comparative methods and geospatial analyses to clarify why certain mountain regions host exceptional biological diversity while others with similar environments do not. Primary deliverables include scientific findings that provide critical knowledge for long-term environmental planning, conservation prioritization, and ecosystem management across mountain regions that support nearly half the world's biodiversity hotspots.

The award supports substantial educational and workforce development components, including training for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows in evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, and geosciences. Additional products include K-12 educational resources, hands-on learning experiences for families and local communities, and interdisciplinary workshops and conference symposia connecting earth and life sciences. These educational initiatives aim to foster a new generation of scientists capable of addressing fundamental questions about how physical geological processes interact with species behavior and adaptation to produce and maintain biodiversity.