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National Science Foundation

Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems (EBBS)

Funds engineering of biology — biosensing, tissue and organ function, biomanufacturing — and lists plainly what it will not fund.

OpenNational Science FoundationUnited States

This programme funds the engineering side of biology, at every scale from sensing a biomarker to making a protein to restoring a function of the body. NSF's framing is that US leadership in biotechnology needs engineering at all of those scales.

The method is combination: fundamental mechanistic insight together with experimental and computational technique, producing platforms, devices, organism

Engineering of biological and biomedical systems — mechanisms of microbial, cell and tissue behaviour, bioreactor response, biosensing platforms, optical imaging and modulation, designed biological systems, tissue injury and organ-imitating or restoring systems, rehabilitation engineering, and biomanufacturing. Drug design and delivery, animal model development, therapy validation and clinical trials are out of scope.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: PD-26-369YSource: www.grants.gov