Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core)
Funds biology at any scale, from molecules to biomes — $280 million across roughly 300 awards, with no deadline.
NSF's biology directorate collapsed its separate programmes into one door with this notice. It funds foundational and interdisciplinary research expanding knowledge of biology at any level of organisation, from the molecular up to the biome.
Two kinds of proposal are welcome and the distinction matters. Topics associated with the legacy programmes NSF BIO has historically supported, and proposals…
Foundational and interdisciplinary biological research at any level of organisation from molecular to biome scale, covering both the topics of NSF BIO's historic programmes and new areas of biology outside them.
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Guides for this application
All guides →NSF Biosketch Guide: SciENcv, Format, and Examples
Learn how the NSF biosketch works, what SciENcv is used for, how it differs from current and pending support, and what startup teams should prepare.
DocumentsNSF Data Management Plan Example and Writing Guide
Learn how to write an NSF data management plan, what the plan should include, how it differs from NIH data sharing plans, and how startup applicants should handle data.
Where to applyGrants for Biotech Startups: NIH, NSF, SBIR/STTR, and Non-Dilutive Funding
A practical guide to grants for biotech startups, including NIH SBIR/STTR, NSF, translational funding, evidence, regulatory readiness, and budgets.
Write proposalHow to Write a Grant Proposal Reviewers Can Score
Learn how to write a grant proposal around reviewer criteria, evidence, work packages, budget logic, and commercialization for deeptech and R&D funding.
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