SwissBOL Call for Project Applications
Application deadline: January 31, 2013
The Swiss Barcode of Life (SwissBOL) project is committed to the use of DNA barcoding for the
purpose of monitoring biodiversity and enhancing conservation strategies in Switzerland. Our goal is to
establish both a DNA bank and a DNA sequence reference library for all species living in Switzerland. In
order to help us meet this goal, we are currently accepting applications for projects using DNA barcoding
as a tool in taxonomic, systematic, conservation-based and/or evolutionary studies. Applications should be
1-2 pages in length and should include:
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A description of the proposed project, including goals and potential applications
A description of where the voucher specimens will come from and who will be responsible
for their taxonomic identification
The genetic marker/s to be used and a brief justification
Details regarding the involvement of SwissBOL in the lab work proposed (for example,
explain whether you plan for all of the lab work to be performed at the SwissBOL
molecular facility; or if you plan on doing the extractions and PCR yourself but need
SwissBOL to do the sequencing; or if you plan on doing all of the lab work yourself and
need SwissBOL to cover the cost of consumables).
An itemized budget for proposed expenses. If some of the funding for the proposed project
will be coming from another source, please identify the source and the amount contributed.
In order to be funded, the following project requirements must be met:
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Specimens to be barcoded must have been/be collected in Switzerland.
Each sample to be barcoded must be accompanied by a voucher specimen, which shall be
deposited in a publicly accessible collection. For organisms that require destructive DNA
extraction, digital vouchering is acceptable (i.e. high-resolution imaging of diagnostic
morphological features)
For each sample to be barcoded, an aliquot of DNA must be stored in the SwissBOL or
other publicly accessible DNA bank. For small organisms, DNA aliquots may be aliquots
from whole genome amplification (WGA)
Appropriate metadata and voucher information must be given for each sample
All sequences must be made publicly available after the study is completed and published (a
maximum of six months after the delivery of sequence data)
SwissBOL must be acknowledged in all publications reporting data obtained using
SwissBOL support in the following manner: “This study was supported by the SwissBOL
project, financed by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment.”
Proposed projects must achievable by the end of 2014 (the end of the first funding period
for SwissBOL)
The maximum sum to be awarded per project is CHF10.000 but we encourage applicants to apply
for less and seek complementary funding elsewhere. Funds may only be used for costs associated with
molecular analyses and sampling. All applications will be considered but those focusing on red list species,
bio-indicators, biosafety, invasive species, and microorganisms will be prioritized. Our goal is to cover a
broad diversity of higher taxonomic groups, including less well-studied organisms and groups for which
major gaps remain (e.g. some fungi, protists, and meso- and micro-fauna). Please send applications to
Jessica Litman (jessica.litman@unine.ch) by January 31, 2013. Awardees will be notified at the beginning
of March.