Core Research in Biological Sciences Program

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences administers the Core Research in Biological Sciences program, identified as NSF 26-517. BIO Core consolidates research areas previously covered by programs in the Divisions of Environmental Biology, Integrative Organismal Systems, and Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, while programs formerly managed within the Division of Biological Infrastructure continue under separate solicitations. BIO Core supports foundational and interdisciplinary biological research at levels of organization ranging from molecules and cells to organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. Proposals are submitted through a single BIO Core opportunity and are centrally sorted and assigned to appropriate NSF BIO review units, reducing the need for applicants to determine the best individual program fit. The program supports basic and foundational research that advances fundamental understanding of biological systems, whether motivated by scientific curiosity or inspired by potential uses. Supported topics may fall within Foundations of Life, Living Systems, or Bioinnovation and Infrastructure and may involve a single biological area, span biological subdisciplines, or cross disciplinary boundaries. NSF particularly emphasizes intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative research, opportunities for early-career investigators, and scientifically justified use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced computation, laboratory automation, and related research infrastructure. BIO Core can support single investigators, multiple investigators, small groups, and consortia. Routine application of established methods, product or drug development, and later-stage deployment are outside the scope of the core opportunity. NSF anticipates approximately $280,000,000 in program funding and an estimated 250 to 300 awards, subject to the availability of funds. Awards may be Standard Grants or Continuing Grants. The solicitation does not establish a specific minimum or maximum award amount. NSF anticipates a portfolio containing a range of budgets and durations, including smaller exploratory projects and longer-horizon projects. NSF encourages proposals requesting up to five years of support when longer awards would benefit ambitious and transformative research and reduce administrative burden. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. No indirect cost limitation or other budgetary limitation is specified in the solicitation. Eligible submitting organizations are accredited two-year and four-year Institutions of Higher Education that have a campus in the United States and submit on behalf of faculty members; U.S.-located nonprofit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations directly associated with educational or research activities; and federally recognized Tribal Nations. International branch campuses of U.S. institutions may receive project funding when the proposer explains the benefit of work at the international branch campus and justifies why the activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus. There are no restrictions or limits on who may serve as principal investigator, the number of proposals an organization may submit, or the number of proposals a PI or co-PI may submit. Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Full proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must be prepared according to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide in effect on the proposal's due date, except where the solicitation provides different instructions. Research.gov submissions follow PAPPG requirements, while Grants.gov submissions follow the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. Collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must use Research.gov. For proposals involving off-campus or off-site research, the Safe and Harassment-Free Fieldwork Plan is not submitted with the proposal; instead, the Authorized Organizational Representative must provide the required certification that a plan exists. The plan itself will be requested if the proposal is recommended for an award. BIO Core proposals are evaluated using the National Science Board-approved criteria of Intellectual Merit, addressing the potential to advance knowledge, and Broader Impacts, addressing the potential to benefit society and contribute to desired societal outcomes. Proposals may undergo ad hoc review, panel review, or internal NSF review. Following an initial compliance check, an NSF Program Officer reviews the proposal, and in most cases three or more external experts also participate. After merit review, all else being equal, NSF may give preference to institutions with lower indirect cost rates. Potential measures of success include scholarly publications, established or expanded datasets, new technologies or techniques, improved student educational outcomes, support for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers, and student training in critical areas. Full proposals are accepted at any time rather than by a fixed deadline, making the opportunity continuously available for submission. Award notifications are made to submitting organizations by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer, but the solicitation does not specify a fixed notification date or performance start date. Awardees are generally required to submit annual project reports and a project outcomes report for the general public. Questions concerning program scope may be directed to Foundations of Life at bio-fl@nsf.gov, Living Systems at bio-ls@nsf.gov, or Bioinnovation and Infrastructure at bio-bi@nsf.gov. Research.gov technical assistance is available from the NSF IT Service Desk at rgov@nsf.gov or 1-800-381-1532, and Grants.gov assistance is available at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726.

Emphasize foundational biological research that advances fundamental understanding and clearly demonstrate Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. NSF particularly emphasizes intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative research, opportunities for early-career investigators, interdisciplinary connections, and scientifically justified use of AI, advanced computation, automation, or other emerging technologies. Clearly distinguish the project from routine application of established methods, product or drug development, and later-stage deployment.