Ecology and Evolution

Monarch Butterfly on a light orange zinnia
Supports research into the genetic, ecological and evolutionary factors that shape the dynamics of organisms and their communities
Biological entities do not exist in isolation. They are enmeshed in a network of ever-shifting biotic interactions dictated by their environment. This ecological context determines the success of individual organisms, their functional roles in ecosystems and how they evolve. Recent findings show that evolutionary change can occur within just a few generations, enabling insights into how genetics drives functional biology, ecology and evolutionary biology. The Simons Foundation seeks to encourage research that generates fundamental understanding of the genetic, ecological and evolutionary factors that shape the dynamics of organisms and their communities.