Plant Biotic Interactions

The Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program is a joint funding initiative administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It is supported by the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences, Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, and USDA-NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. This partnership aims to advance fundamental and translational research related to the interactions between plants and a broad range of biotic partners including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, other plants, and invertebrates. The initiative provides a platform to integrate basic scientific inquiry with applied agricultural research, bridging academic and practical approaches to plant health and productivity. The program supports studies on both beneficial and antagonistic plant biotic interactions. It welcomes research on current and emerging model systems and agriculturally relevant species. Research proposals may be focused on either fundamental mechanisms or translational objectives—or include both. Topics of interest span molecular, genomic, metabolic, cellular, and organismal processes, and the program prioritizes hypothesis-driven and discovery-based experimental approaches. Strictly ecological research that does not delve into mechanistic underpinnings is not considered appropriate. Examples of research interests include immune signaling, plant-symbiont regulation, host-pathogen recognition, and mechanisms underpinning microbiome function. Eligible applicants vary depending on whether proposals are submitted through NSF or USDA/NIFA. NSF accepts proposals from U.S.-based accredited institutions of higher education, as well as non-profit, non-academic organizations like research labs and museums. USDA/NIFA broadens eligibility to include state agricultural experiment stations, federal agencies, private organizations, and individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Proposals must explain the benefit of conducting any research at international branch campuses, if applicable. Applications are accepted at any time and must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, depending on the chosen submission portal. Collaborative proposals can be submitted as either single or separately submitted linked applications. The use of FastLane is no longer permitted for this program. The anticipated funding amount for the program is approximately $18.5 million annually, with NSF contributing about $10.5 million and USDA/NIFA contributing around $8 million, subject to appropriations. Individual awards typically range from $50,000 to $300,000 per year and last between two and four years, with CAREER awards extending up to five years. Matching is not required, and voluntary cost sharing is prohibited. Indirect costs are limited under NIFA guidelines to 30% of total federal funds awarded or the institution’s negotiated rate, whichever is lower. Applications undergo a rigorous merit review process based on NSF’s Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria. Review panels assess the potential of projects to advance knowledge and benefit society, as well as the quality of the proposed research and the qualifications of the investigators. Additional considerations include data management and postdoctoral mentoring plans. Program officers at NSF and USDA/NIFA jointly manage the review and award process. Applicants may also apply for supplemental funding or include specific sub-programs like Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI), Research Coordination Networks (RCN), EAGER, and RAPID grants within their submissions. For inquiries, applicants may contact Courtney E. Jahn (cjahn@nsf.gov, 703-292-7746), Aardra Kachroo (akachroo@nsf.gov, 703-292-7826), or Amer Fayad at USDA-NIFA (amer.fayad@usda.gov, 816-894-7228). The program is open year-round, and awards are contingent upon funding availability. NSF and USDA/NIFA also encourage proposals that foster international collaborations and align with broader federal research priorities related to agriculture, climate resilience, and food security.

Submit via Research.gov or Grants.gov; follow PAPPG or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide strictly. Collaborative proposals must follow specific submission formats.