Applications are now open for the 2026 Biota Awards, a program to fund early-career researchers based in Illinois who seek to restore, protect, and conserve biodiversity locally and around the world.
Applications are due October 21, 2025.
Award Eligibility
For the second year running, the 2026 Biota Awards are exclusively focused on providing support for postdoctoral scientists. We intend to return to supporting independent investigators in the 2027 Biota Awards.
Postdoctoral fellows must be employed by and have a primary adviser at an institution in Illinois by the start of the grant. Researchers that are currently based outside of Illinois (either completing a Ph.D. or working as a postdoc) are encouraged to apply by developing a proposal with an adviser at an institution in Illinois.
For researchers proposing projects at Chicago-region* institutions, the geographic focus of the research is not restricted, and projects may focus on biodiversity and conservation topics relevant to the Chicago region or elsewhere, for example biodiversity hotspots and/or the Global South.
For researchers proposing projects at Illinois institutions outside of the Chicago region* (e.g. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign or Illinois State University), the geographic focus of the research and intended outcomes must be the Chicago region.
If successful, the researcher would need to move to the region to take up employment at a local grantee organization.
*The Chicago region is broadly defined as the Metropolitan Statistical Areaaccording to the United States Census Bureau.
Award Program Aims
We aim to:
· Attract and retain exceptional postdoctoral scientists in Illinois
· Encourage postdoctoral scientists to think creatively and independently about how their research can be applied to deliver on-the-ground results
· Develop a more inclusive and equitable biodiversity research community by supporting fellows from a wide range of backgrounds
Award Support
Selected Biota Award recipients will receive:
· Annual salary of $70,000 in Year 1 and $73,500 in Year 2
· Fringe benefits at the host institution’s rate for postdocs
· Annual research and travel allowance of $20,000
· Relocation allowance of up to $3,000 for those moving from outside of Illinois
· Indirect costs of 15% to the host institution
Further Award Details
Full program and application details and requirements are available on the Biota Awards website. In addition, interested applicants may register for an informational webinar about the opportunity that will take place on July 29, 2025 at 12 p.m. Central.
