Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Marine Microbial Ecology

Open
Application Deadline
Important Dates
  • Application available
  • Application deadline
  • Applicants notified of funding decisions
  • Accept or decline deadline
  • Fellowships commence
    First of the month between September 1, 2024 through April 1, 2025
Important Dates
  • Application available
  • Application deadline
  • Applicants notified of funding decisions
  • Accept or decline deadline
  • Fellowships commence
    First of the month between September 1, 2024 through April 1, 2025
Contact Info

Opportunity

The Simons Foundation’s Life Sciences division invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships to support candidates who intend to pursue a career in basic research on fundamental problems in marine microbial ecology, with an emphasis on understanding the role of microorganisms in shaping ocean processes and vice versa. We are interested in applicants with training in different disciplines, including modeling and theory development, as well as applicants already involved in ocean research.

Eligibility

Applicants should have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree within three years of the fellowship’s start date. Preference will be for applicants with no more than one year of postdoctoral experience. U.S. citizens may choose a postdoctoral research sponsor in either the U.S. or Canada. Foreign applicants may choose a sponsor in the U.S. Awards can only be issued to nonprofit research universities or research institutions in the U.S. or Canada (in a campus within these countries).

Award

The award is for three years, contingent upon satisfactory annual progress reports, and will include an annual stipend of $70,000 and an annual allowance of up to $25,000. This fellowship is intended to support full-time research, and any exceptions (e.g., teaching positions) require advance approval from Simons Foundation staff. The annual allowance may be spent on health insurance for the fellow and family and other benefits as required by the institution, research supplies, small equipment (including computers), attendance at scientific meetings and other research-related travel. The stipend may be supplemented by the host institution or the mentoring Principal Investigator (PI). Funds from the annual allowance may be reallocated to the annual stipend if required to meet the institution’s minimum salary for postdoctoral fellows, at the institution’s discretion. The stipend may not be reallocated to increase the research allowance. Up to $2,000 of the allowance may be used for relocation of the fellow and family to the host institution. Relocation costs must be in accordance with the policies of the host institution. Payment cannot be made directly to fellows. No indirect or overhead costs may be charged. Policies and procedures governing this award can be found at the following link.

Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations The Simons Foundation, Inc. reserves the right to refer to an application to the Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies would apply.

Applications must include:

  • Short personal autobiographical statement, including a summary of prior research experience (one page)
  • Brief research proposal with title and abstract (two to three pages, plus references, and one page for figures)
  • Biosketches of the applicant and sponsor, including publications; the applicant should provide full citations. Do not include funding sources for the applicant’s graduate work.
  • List of sponsor’s current and pending other support, including names of PI and co-PIs and total award amount.
  • Letters of recommendation from applicant’s thesis adviser and two additional research scientists, who should address the applicant’s potential for future leadership in the field, and letter of support from the postdoctoral research sponsor, who cannot be the applicant’s thesis adviser and who must acknowledge acceptance of the applicant to their laboratory. Only one application from a postdoctoral research sponsor will be considered in any year. Confidential letters must be submitted through the Simons Award Manager (SAM).
  • Budget (three years)
  • Brief budget justification
  • Renewable reagents and data-sharing plan
  • 501(c)(3) determination or equivalency letter (Canadian institutions only) — A determination letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stating exemption under 501(c)(3) and, furthermore, either a 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) classification is required. Applicants do not need to have this letter at the time of application. If an international institution is selected for funding and does not have the aforementioned documentation, we will require the institution to complete an equivalency determination with NGOsource (see policies and procedures).
  • Submission of the application with institution signature will document the commitment from the fellow’s institution to administer the fellowship.

Instructions for Submission

Applications must be completed electronically and submitted through the Simons Award Manager (SAM) by May 7, 2024, 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time. Please refer to the How to Apply instructions for further details.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to grantmaking that inspires and supports greater diversity and inclusiveness by cultivating a funding environment that ensures representation of all identities and differences and equitable access to information and resources for all applicants and grantees.

We provide equal opportunities to all applicants for funding without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law. We also fund programs directed at supporting scientists from disadvantaged backgrounds or underrepresented groups, often working closely with professional societies and other funding agencies.

Read More
Important Dates
  • Application available
  • Application deadline
  • Applicants notified of funding decisions
  • Accept or decline deadline
  • Fellowships commence
    First of the month between September 1, 2024 through April 1, 2025
Contact Info

The deadline for proposal submission is May 7, 2024, 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time. Please plan carefully with your host institution and references to meet this deadline.

Applications must be submitted via the Simons Award Manager (SAM). Please click on the Funding Opportunities icon and navigate to the Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Marine Microbial Ecology call. Click the Create Application button to begin. Applications should be started and submitted under the applicant’s own account in SAM.

Informational videos on submitting applications in SAM can be found here.

Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations The Simons Foundation, Inc. reserves the right to refer an application to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies would apply.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:

Applicant: The postdoctoral fellow should be listed in the applicant role, which is titled “Fellow” for this award type. Do not list the sponsor here.

Institution: The institution that will administer the fellowship and have primary contractual responsibility for the fellowship, if awarded, should be listed here, even if the fellow is not at the institution yet. In SAM, the institution name will default to the institution affiliated with the applicant’s user account. To associate your SAM profile with another institution, please click here for directions. If you need to change the institution listed on your application, please contact [email protected].

  • Proposal Tab:
    • Complete all fields in this section, including the following attachments:
      • Proposal Narrative: Note that you are required to use the provided template. Please download by clicking the link in the field instructions, then upload the completed document using the Upload button. The template requires:
        • Short personal autobiographical statement (one page)
        • Brief research proposal with title and abstract (two to three pages, plus references and one page for figures)
      • Fellow Biosketch: Use SciENcv or fillable PDF NSF-style or NIH-style format, including a complete list of publications with the complete reference (up to 10 authors; if greater than 10, give the number of authors and list the senior author). You may include publications about to be submitted in addition to published and accepted publications, if applicable. An additional page may be included if not all publications fit in the standard format. Do not include funding sources for the applicant’s graduate work.
      • Sponsor Biosketch: Upload a biosketch for the sponsor using SciENcv or fillable PDF NSF-style or NIH-style format.
      • Sponsor Other Support: Upload a PDF of a list of the sponsor’s current and pending other support, including names of PI and co-PIs and total award amount.
  • Contacts & Personnel Tab:
    • Institution contacts are required. You must add at least one institution signing official and financial officer to the Institution Administrative Contacts section before you will be able to submit.
      • In order to add institution contacts from the intended host institution, the institution name affiliated with the applicant’s user account must be the intended host institution. If the applicant’s user account is affiliated with a different institution, contact [email protected] for assistance in changing the affiliation.
    • Add your sponsor(s) and thesis adviser(s) to the Project Personnel section. Enter each person’s role using the Add More Details button.
  • Budget Tab: Click the Edit/Modify button to add a detailed budget. Please refer to the allowable expenses outlined in the RFA.
    • In Periods 1–3, please input the stipend amount under Personnel Costs in the Stipend box. In the same section, under Health Insurance & Other Benefits, please input the total amount for health insurance or other benefits required by your institution.
    • If you require fringe benefits, enter your fringe benefit rate.
    • The remaining amount from your annual allowance should be allocated to Supplies and Small Equipment ($10,000 or under per unit of equipment), Travel and Other Expenses. Enter brief budget justifications for each cost. 
  • Letter of Reference Tab:
    • Four (4) confidential Letters of Recommendation are required: One (1) from applicant’s thesis adviser; two (2) from additional research scientists, who should address the applicant’s potential for future leadership in the field; and one (1) letter of support from the postdoctoral research sponsor, who cannot be the applicant’s thesis adviser and who must acknowledge acceptance of the applicant to their laboratory.
    • In the case that the applicant has two thesis advisers and/or two postdoctoral research sponsors, please review the FAQs for more instructions.
    • Instructions for navigating this tab are included within SAM. Note that you should enter a date in the Response Date and click Save Draft prior to sending reference invitations, so that the email invitation sent by the system contains the due date you set.
    • You will not be able to submit your proposal until all four references are uploaded. Please plan accordingly with your references.
    • NOTE: References will not have access to any portion of your proposal during the upload process. References who are also an approved Institution Official at your institution, or who are added as an Institution Administrative Contact in the Contacts & Personnel section, will be able to see the proposal via their regular system login. If your references do not have either of these roles, they will not have access to your proposal.
  • Check Application Progress: Click the Check Application Progress button to check for any missing required information or files. All missing required information will be listed at the top of the screen and must be corrected before the application can be submitted.
  • Send for Sign-Off: When the application is complete, please click on the Send for Sign-off button to send to your signing official for signature. You will receive a notification when the application is signed.
  • Submit Application: When the full proposal application is complete and signed, please click on the Submit Application button. A confirmation page will appear once the application is successfully submitted. It will appear in the Submitted tab of the Applications in Progress table. Please note that you will not be able to submit an application if the deadline has passed.
Important Dates
  • Application available
  • Application deadline
  • Applicants notified of funding decisions
  • Accept or decline deadline
  • Fellowships commence
    First of the month between September 1, 2024 through April 1, 2025
Contact Info
  1. Where do I submit the proposal? Can I email or mail it?plus--large

    All proposals must be submitted online through SAM. We do not accept emailed or mailed proposals.

  2. Do I need institutional sign-off to submit a proposal?plus--large

    Yes. Institution sign-off must be submitted via SAM. Please plan accordingly with your institution to submit the signed proposal by the deadline.

  3. Can postdoctoral associates apply as fellows? plus--large

    Candidates who hold or will hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree at the time of activation of the fellowship are eligible to apply. Applicants should have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree within three years of the fellowship’s start date. Preference will be for applicants with no more than one year of postdoctoral experience.

  4. What should I do if I have two thesis advisers?plus--large

    If you have two thesis advisers, they can either write a joint letter of reference or they can submit separate letters. In the latter case, the second thesis adviser letter may be used for one of the additional research scientists’ letters, or you may have five total letters of reference. Both thesis advisers should be listed on the Contacts & Personnel tab of the application.

  5. What should I do if I have two sponsors?plus--large

    If you have two sponsors, the sponsors must submit a joint letter of reference acknowledging your acceptance to their laboratories. If the sponsors are at different institutions, the letter must specify which institution will host the fellowship. Neither sponsor may be your thesis adviser. Both sponsors should be listed on the Contacts & Personnel tab of the application.

  6. Can foreign institutions apply for this grant?plus--large

    U.S. citizens may choose a postdoctoral research sponsor in either the U.S. or Canada. Foreign applicants may choose a sponsor in the U.S. Awards can only be issued to nonprofit research universities or research institutions in the U.S. or Canada (in a campus within these countries).

  7. Do I need to submit biosketches with the proposal?plus--large

    Yes, biosketches are required for both the sponsor and postdoctoral fellow applicant.

  8. What are the font style and size requirements?plus--large

    Type should be set in 11-point, legible font. All margins should be set at 0.5 inches.

  9. Are indirect costs included in the annual budget limits?plus--large

    No, indirect costs are not allowed.

  10. To whom is the grant awarded?plus--large

    The grant is awarded to the fellow’s host institution.

  11. I get an error message when I try to send for sign-off or submit.plus--large

    The Check Application Progress button reviews your proposal for missing sections. The submission instructions list the required sections and attachments. You must complete the missing items listed in the error message. If you are still receiving error messages after completing and saving the indicated sections, please contact [email protected].

  12. Does the sponsor need to sign the signature page?plus--large

    No, only the signing official may sign and submit the application.

  13. Is there a confirmation email when I submit?plus--large

    A confirmation email is sent upon submission. Make sure that spam filters allow emails from [email protected]. Additionally, the proposal will be in the Submitted tab of the Applications in Progress table after submission.

  14. Are extensions given?plus--large

    No extensions will be given. If you have any difficulties, please email [email protected].

  15. Are deadline times adjusted for time zones?plus--large

    No. Please be advised that deadlines are in Eastern Time. We recommend registering early and submitting with ample time for corrections prior to the deadline hour. Site traffic can slow page-load times. You will not be able to submit after the deadline time has passed.

  16. Can I make changes to the application once it has been submitted?plus--large

    Before you can make changes to your submitted application, you must first contact Simons Foundation staff. Please email [email protected]. Applications can only be changed prior to the deadline.

  17. The deadline for notification has passed. What is the status of my proposal?plus--large

    You should receive notification within 24 hours of the deadline. Please check your spam filter settings if you have not received notification by then.

  18. Note regarding potential referral of an application to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI)plus--large

    Please note that in the event of budgetary or other considerations The Simons Foundation, Inc. reserves the right to refer an application to The Simons Foundation International, Ltd. (SFI) for consideration and funding, in which case SFI’s grant policies would apply.

2023

Annika Gomez, Ph.D.
The impact of eukaryotic phytoplankton physiological ecology on virus susceptibility
Columbia University, laboratory of Sonya Dyhrman

Clarissa Karthauser, Ph.D.
Where does the snow go? How microbial communities interact with mesopelagic marine snow
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, laboratory of Stefan Sievert

Antoine Regimbeau, Ph.D.
Study and model of the metabolic abilities of heterotrophic microorganisms at meso-scale
University of Hawaii, laboratory of Edward DeLong

Shlomit Sharoni, Ph.D.
Elucidating the sensitivity of ocean deoxygenation to the macromolecular composition of marine primary producers
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Mick Follows

Christine Ziegler, Ph.D.
Uncovering the role of Prochlorococcus in marine vitamin B1 biosynthesis and trafficking
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Sallie Chisholm

2022

Maya Anjur-Dietrich, Ph.D.
Toward understanding the function of picocyanobacterial lanthipeptides in marine ecosystems
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Sallie W. Chisholm

Kevin Archibald, Ph.D.
Modeling global evolution of marine mixotroph populations driven by anthropogenic climate change
University of California, Santa Barbara, laboratory of Holly Moeller

Benjamin Calfee, Ph.D.
Viral impacts on nitrogen competition and inter-trophic microbial interactions
University of Chicago, laboratory of Maureen Coleman

Jemma Fadum, Ph.D.
Marine aquaculture: mesocosms for studying nutrient enrichment effects on microbially mediated biogeochemical pathways in coastal ecosystems
Carnegie Institution for Science, laboratory of Emily Zakem

Emma George, Ph.D.
Microscale interactions between bacteria and phytoplankton in marine phycospheres
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, laboratory of Andrew Allen

Benjamin Granzow, Ph.D.
Heterotrophic bacterial production of refractory DOM from common lipids
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, laboratory of Lihini Aluwihare

Sasha Kramer, Ph.D.
Investigating the productivity-diversity relationship across marine ecosystems
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, laboratory of Colleen Durkin

Carolina Alejandra Martinez Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Resolving species boundaries and the processes of diversification in marine bacteria and archaea
North Carolina State University, laboratory of Louis-Marie Bobay

Fernando Medina Ferrer, Ph.D.
Discovering sensing pathways controlling biogenic methane production in marine environments
University of California, Berkeley, laboratory of Dipti Nayak

Sarah Tucker, Ph.D.
Elucidating the roles of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation in natural SAR11 populations
Marine Biological Laboratory, laboratory of A. Murat Eren

Alaina Weinheimer, Ph.D.
Leveraging single-cell genomics to uncover defense strategies between diverse marine microbes against their viruses
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, laboratory of Ramunas Stepanauskas

2021

Marianne Acker, Ph.D.
Phosphonoproteins in marine microbes: characterization, ecological role and biogeochemical impact
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, laboratory of Julia M. Diaz

Stephanie Anderson, Ph.D.
Modeling phytoplankton thermal trait evolution across ocean trajectories
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Stephanie Dutkiewicz

David Anderson, Ph.D.
Effects of physiology and grazers on the response of phytoplankton stoichiometry to temperature
University of British Columbia, laboratory of Mary O’Connor

Holger Buchholz, Ph.D.
Viral impacts on volatile organic carbon and energy cycling in the ocean
Oregon State University, laboratories of Stephen Giovannoni and Kimberly Halsey

Christian Dewey, Ph.D.
Elucidating the roles of microbial Fe(III) and sulfate reduction in dissolved iron fluxes from marine sediments
University of Minnesota, laboratory of Rene Boiteau

Jack Ganley, Ph.D.
Iron Wars: Evaluation of Siderophore Crosstalk in Microalgal-Bacterial Symbioses
Princeton University, laboratory of Mohammad Seyedsayamdost

Suzana Leles, Ph.D.
Reconciling theory to predict the evolutionary trajectories of mixotrophic protists
University of Southern California, laboratories of Naomi Marcil Levine and Holly Moeller

Margaret Mars Brisbin, Ph.D.
Impact of phytoplankton-bacterial interactions on plankton dynamics and biogeochemical cycling
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, laboratory of Harriet Alexander

Leonardo Pacciani-Mori, Ph.D.
Effects of cross-feeding and aggregation on particulate organic matter degradation by marine bacteria
University of California, San Diego, laboratory of Terence Hwa

Xin Sun, Ph.D.
Dynamics of Marine Microbial Communities and the Nitrogen Cycle in a Changing Environment
Carnegie Institution for Science, laboratory of Emily Zakem

2020

Gabriel Birzu, Ph.D.
The effects of bacteria-phage interactions on marine microbial diversity
Stanford University, laboratory of Daniel S. Fisher

Angela Boysen, Ph.D.
Metabolic and ecological consequences of organic nitrogen uptake by picocyanobacterial
University of Chicago, laboratory of Jacob Waldbauer

Michael Henson, Ph.D.
Testing the role of fine-scale diversity for local adaptation and population stability in Synechococcus
University of Chicago, laboratory of Maureen Coleman

Bryce Inman, Ph.D.
Bacterial Tunneling: A Novel Mechanism Mediating Fluxes in the Phycosphere
University of California, San Diego (Scripps Oceanography), laboratory of Farooq Azam

Korinna Kunde, Ph.D.
In the Iron Continuum: Physicochemical Metal Speciation Dictates Bioavailability
University of Washington, laboratory of Randie Bundy

Ashley Maloney, Ph.D.
Tracking phytoplankton metabolism with lipid isotope ratios
Princeton University, laboratory of Xinning Zhang

Lauren Manck, Ph.D.
Controls of iron and carbon substrate availability on heterotrophic metabolism in the mesopelagic
University of Montana, laboratory of Matthew Church

Erin McParland, Ph.D.
Quantifying the ecology of organic sulfur remineralization in the surface ocean
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, laboratory of Elizabeth Kujawinski

Eveline Pinseel, Ph.D.
Linking Micro- and Macroevolution to Understand Freshwater Adaptation by Ancestrally Marine Diatoms
University of Arkansas, laboratory of Andrew Alverson

Camila Serra Pompei, Ph.D.
Assessing the ecology of zooplankton groups with trait-based mechanistic models
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Stephanie Dutkiewicz

Tatsuro Tanioka, Ph.D.
Linking adaptive evolution of marine cyanobacteria with global ocean biogeochemistry
University of California (Irvine), laboratory of Adam Martiny

2019

Gregory Britten, Ph.D.
Macromolecular dynamics of phytoplankton growth in response to submesoscale environmental variability
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Michael J Follows

Rachel Gregor, Ph.D.
The role of chemical signaling in governing bacterial colonization dynamics on marine particulate organic matter
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Otto Cordero

Dominik Hülse, Ph.D.
Modeling emergent microbial communities in marine sediments
University of California, Riverside, laboratory of Andy Ridgwell

Sean Kearney, Ph.D.
Elucidating the biological functions of prochlorosins in marine microbial communities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Sallie W. Chisholm

Veronika Kivenson, Ph.D.
Genetic code expansion enables metabolic augmentation and protein evolution in marine microbial ecosystems
Oregon State University, laboratory of Stephen Giovannoni

Adam Larson, Ph.D.
Oceanography under pressure: Novel tools for studying ecophysiology of marine eukaryotes
Stanford University, laboratory of Manu Prakash

Darcy McRose, Ph.D.
Contribution of redox-active secondary metabolites to phosphorus flux from marine sediments
California Institute of Technology, laboratory of Dianne K. Newman

Nicole Ratib, Ph.D.
Quantifying dormancy rates and controlling factors in the globally abundant bacterioplankton SAR11
University of Southern California, laboratory of Cameron Thrash

Lewis Ward, Ph.D.
Constraining past and future evolutionary response of the nitrogen cycle to environmental change
Harvard University, laboratory of David Johnston

JL Weissman, Ph.D.
Drafting an atlas of prokaryotic immune strategy in the global oceans
University of Southern California, laboratory of Jed Fuhrman

2018

B. Cael, Ph.D.
Testing a distributional theory for the sinking flux of marine organic matter
University of Hawaii at Manoa, laboratory of Angelicque White

Eryn Eitel, Ph.D.
Ecological importance of sulfur redox intermediates in marine sediments
California Institute of Technology, laboratory of Alex Sessions

Matti Gralka, Ph.D.
Resistance and resilience of marine microbial communities to perturbations
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, laboratory of Otto Cordero

Nicholas Hawco, Ph.D.
Regional versus phylogenetic inheritance of iron metabolism traits in Prochlorococcus, a globally important cyanobacterium
University of Southern California, laboratory of Seth John

Katherine Heal, Ph.D.
Mechanisms and consequences of trace metal recycling by heterotrophic bacteria in marine surface waters
University of Washington, laboratory of Randelle Bundy

Bennett Lambert, Ph.D.
Diversify to survive: the role of phenotypic heterogeneity in the life history of marine picoeukaryotes
University of Washington, laboratory of E. Virginia Armbrust

Alexandra McCully, Ph.D.
Physiology and diversity of deep-sea sediment chloroflexi
Stanford University, laboratory of Alfred Spormann

Marian Schmidt, Ph.D.
Biological innovation and resilience in the ocean
The University of Texas at Austin, laboratory of Howard Ochman

Emily Zakem, Ph.D.
What controls the transition from aerobic to anaerobic microbial activity in the ocean?
University of Southern California, laboratory of Naomi Marcil Levine

2017

Natalie Cohen, Ph.D.
Linking trace metal availability with phytoplankton metal metabolism
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, laboratory of Mak Saito

Keisuke Inomura, Ph.D.
Predicting ecological niches of diverse nitrogen fixers in the global ocean
University of Washington, laboratory of Curtis Deutsch

Chana Kranzler, Ph.D.
Driving marine biogeochemical cycles through phytoplankton host-virus interactions
Rutgers University, laboratory of Kimberlee Thamatrakoln

Xuefeng Peng, Ph.D.
Impact of marine fungi on global biogeochemical cycling of C and N
University of California, Santa Barbara, laboratory of David Valentine

Wei Qin, Ph.D.
Adaptive significance of marine ammonia-oxidizing archaeal membrane lipids
University of Washington, laboratory of Anitra Ingalls

Other Funding Opportunities
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Description

Simons Investigator in Aquatic Microbial Ecology Awards

The purpose of these awards is to support recently tenured, outstanding investigators in the field of microbial ecology in marine or natural freshwater systems, who will advance our understanding through field studies, laboratory experiments, modeling or theory. The program will provide support for establishment of a new research direction or an innovative expansion of current…
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