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The data produced at LTER sites inform many important challenges. Among-site comparisons help to understand how general ecological mechanisms change with local context. Modeling and forecasting efforts employ long term observations and experiments to generate testable predictions. Scaling exercises get at continental or even global interactions with human and economic consequences. LTER synthesis working groups organized through the LTER Network Office (LNO) support collaboration on these and many other types of questions.

Proposal Types

  1. [THIS RFP] 2026 Competition for full synthesis proposals. Funding is expected to be available for two (2) projects of two (2) years in duration. The LTER core thematic areas are especially accessible for synthesis, but proposals in other areas are also welcome. Proposals that are responsive to priorities in the LTER Network’s recently-released strategic plan will be particularly welcome. Working groups should plan on up to three (3) in-person meetings of up to 15 individuals each. Larger or longer meetings will be considered if the proposers can bring additional funds from non-LNO sources.
  2. 2027 Competition for Scientific Peers Advancing Research Collaborations (SPARC) Proposals. SPARC awards support for a single in-person workshop, embedded in a series of virtual meetings. SPARC funding is most appropriate for development of early-stage ideas or wrap-up of an otherwise virtual project. We expect to fund 2-3 SPARC proposals in 2027.
LTER 2026 Strategic Plan

Key Dates

Informational Webinar:
March 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. PST

Register for Webinar

Proposal Due Date:
  September 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST

Awards announced:
  November 2026                              

Projects begin: 
  January 2027   

Full formatting and submission guidelines in the Request for Proposals PDF:

Request for Proposals

Synthesis Resources

Finding Data

Most LTER data is available through the Environmental Data Initiative (EDI)

Example additional data sources:

How-to Resources

Scientific Computing Support

Looking for ambitious, well-trained talent to include on your team? Check out some of the participants in our 2024-2025 Synthesis Skills for Early Career Researchers (SSECR) course!

For additional information, please contact proposals@lternet.edu for submission details or downs@nceas.ucsb.edu for overall questions.

2026-LTER-synthesis-RFPDownload