Deadline: 03-Aug-2026
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is funding projects that improve how DNA-derived biodiversity data is published, standardized, and updated across its global data network. The initiative focuses on building scalable, automated workflows that allow large datasets—especially environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding data—to be integrated into GBIF’s infrastructure.
This funding call is part of the SPLICE project, a two-year initiative supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Its primary goal is to strengthen the integration of molecular biodiversity data into global open-data systems and improve long-term accessibility and reuse.
Each selected project receives up to €20,000 and must be completed within 8 months.
Purpose and Strategic Goals
The programme aims to modernize biodiversity data sharing by enabling high-throughput, standardized publishing pipelines for DNA-based observations. It ensures that molecular biodiversity data becomes more accessible, interoperable, and usable for science, policy, and environmental monitoring.
Key goals include improving global data interoperability, supporting FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), increasing the quality and consistency of DNA-derived datasets, and strengthening the role of biodiversity data in environmental decision-making.
The initiative also supports long-term sustainability of data workflows, ensuring that updates, corrections, and new records can be continuously integrated into GBIF systems.
Key Focus Areas
The call prioritizes technical and infrastructural improvements in biodiversity data publishing.
Main focus areas include:
- Development of scalable, automated data-sharing pipelines
- Integration of DNA-derived biodiversity data into GBIF infrastructure
- Publication of environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding datasets
- Improved interoperability between biodiversity databases and sequencing repositories
- Application of FAIR data principles in biodiversity data management
- Use of persistent identifiers for traceability and data linking
- Strengthening long-term data quality and update mechanisms
- Enhancing policy relevance and research usability of biodiversity datasets
Project Requirements and Expected Outputs
Applicants are expected to develop robust technical solutions in collaboration with the GBIF Secretariat. Projects must demonstrate practical implementation of DNA data publishing workflows.
Required outputs include:
- Technical specifications for data and metadata mapping
- Workflow designs for automated data publishing and updates
- Implementation of persistent identifier systems
- Operational and maintenance plans for long-term use
- Demonstration of successful data publication through GBIF
- Evidence of improved metadata richness and data interoperability
- Functional update mechanisms for continuous data improvement
Projects may also integrate external systems such as sequence repositories to strengthen data connectivity and usability.
Funding Details
- Maximum funding per project: €20,000
- Project duration: up to 8 months
- Payment structure: installment-based, linked to deliverables
- Contract start date: expected 1 October 2026
Selected participants must also attend:
- An online kick-off webinar (October 2026)
- A mid-project coordination meeting (February 2027)
Who Is Eligible
Eligible applicants are institutions with strong technical and data management capacity in biodiversity or molecular data systems.
Eligible entities include:
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Museums
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Government agencies
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a registered legal entity
- Must be a GBIF-endorsed data publisher
- Must manage large DNA or biodiversity datasets
- Must use open licensing (CC0 1.0 or CC-BY 4.0)
- Must have technical capacity for pipeline development and implementation
- Must demonstrate ability to work with standardized biodiversity data formats
Ineligible Costs and Restrictions
The funding strictly excludes several cost categories to ensure focus on infrastructure development.
Non-eligible costs include:
- Indirect overhead costs
- Bank charges and transaction fees
- Postal and courier services
- Currency exchange losses
- Taxes eligible for reimbursement
- Fieldwork or new data collection
- Laboratory work for generating new biological data
The project must be conducted at the applicant’s own premises, with technical support provided remotely by the GBIF Secretariat.
Implementation Model
The implementation approach is highly technical and collaborative.
Step 1: Technical Planning
Applicants define data structures, metadata standards, and pipeline architecture in coordination with GBIF.
Step 2: Workflow Development
Development of automated or semi-automated publishing pipelines for DNA-derived biodiversity datasets.
Step 3: Integration
Connection of datasets to GBIF infrastructure using standardized formats and persistent identifiers.
Step 4: Testing and Publication
Validation of data ingestion, updates, and interoperability within GBIF systems.
Step 5: Evaluation and Maintenance Planning
Creation of long-term sustainability and maintenance strategies for continued operation.
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative strengthens global biodiversity research by improving how DNA-based ecological data is shared and reused. It enables faster integration of environmental DNA data into global databases, which is critical for biodiversity monitoring, conservation planning, and environmental policy.
It also advances FAIR data principles, ensuring biodiversity datasets are reusable, interoperable, and accessible across scientific and policy domains. By improving data pipelines, the programme supports more accurate ecological analysis and long-term environmental decision-making.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants often fail by:
- Proposing research instead of infrastructure development
- Ignoring data standardization requirements
- Lack of clear pipeline or workflow design
- Weak alignment with GBIF publishing standards
- Not addressing metadata mapping and update mechanisms
- Proposing fieldwork or lab-based data generation (not allowed)
- Missing long-term maintenance planning
Tips for a Strong Application
Strong proposals typically:
- Focus on scalable, automated data publishing systems
- Clearly define metadata and identifier standards
- Demonstrate compatibility with GBIF infrastructure
- Include robust update and maintenance mechanisms
- Show strong technical expertise in biodiversity informatics
- Align closely with FAIR principles
- Provide clear, deliverable-based work plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main goal of the GBIF SPLICE call?
- To improve publishing and integration of DNA-derived biodiversity data
- To develop automated, scalable data-sharing workflows
- To enhance global biodiversity data accessibility and interoperability
What is the funding amount available?
- Up to €20,000 per project
- Payments are delivered in installments tied to milestones
- Funding is limited to infrastructure and workflow development activities
How long do projects last?
- Maximum duration is 8 months
- Contracts are expected to begin on 1 October 2026
- Projects include structured milestones and reporting phases
Who can apply?
- Universities, research institutions, museums, NGOs, and government agencies
- Must be a legal registered entity
- Must be an approved GBIF data publisher
- Must handle large DNA or biodiversity datasets
What data types are supported?
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) data
- Metabarcoding datasets
- Sequence-based biodiversity records
- Other DNA-derived biodiversity observations
What costs are NOT eligible?
- Fieldwork or new sample collection
- Laboratory research for new data generation
- Overheads, taxes, or transaction fees
- Courier, postal, or banking costs
- Currency exchange losses
What is expected from successful projects?
- Functional data publishing pipelines
- Integration with GBIF systems
- Use of persistent identifiers
- Improved metadata quality and interoperability
- Demonstrated data publication and update mechanisms
Conclusion
The GBIF SPLICE funding call supports the development of advanced, standardized workflows for publishing DNA-derived biodiversity data. By enabling scalable and interoperable data pipelines, it strengthens global biodiversity monitoring systems and improves the accessibility, quality, and long-term usability of molecular ecological data for research and policy applications.
For more information, visit GBIF.