[National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

March 3, 2025 | March 1, 2026 (Annual)

$2M–$6M total for FY25–26; 10–15 awards/year; up to 3 years/project

Supports innovative mathematical research to address significant biological questions, including foundational work in AI/ML for biology.

Proposals must include expertise in both mathematical and biological sciences; strong emphasis on integrative, cross-disciplinary research.

--- ## Description The National Science Foundation's Emerging Mathematics in Biology (eMB) program aims to catalyze the development of innovative mathematical theories, techniques, and approaches to tackle complex and significant questions in biology and public health. The program supports integrative research projects that apply traditional or novel mathematical tools—including foundational mathematics for AI, deep learning, and machine learning—to advance understanding of dynamic, heterogeneous biological systems at all scales (molecular to ecosystem). Research may focus on, but is not limited to: - Mathematical foundations of AI/ML/DL in biomathematics, enabling explainable AI or mechanistic insight. - Methods for modeling with limited, noisy, or heterogeneous data. - Probabilistic and deterministic modeling frameworks in biology. - Foundational mathematics in genomics and other -omics. - Modeling organismal development, physiology, biomechanics, behavior, and neuroscience. - Dynamics of interactions (e.g., host-symbiont, predator-prey, disease transmission). - Environmental and evolutionary feedbacks. - Mathematical tools for large biological datasets. - Applications in biotechnology and climate impacts on biodiversity. The program encourages new collaborations between mathematical, computational, and biological scientists, as well as innovative work by established interdisciplinary teams. Proposals should clearly articulate the biological significance, the mathematical challenges, and the necessity of mathematical approaches for advancing biological understanding. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** March 3, 2025 - **Annual Deadline (thereafter):** March 1 (next: March 1, 2026) - Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization. --- ## Funding Amount - **Total Program Funding:** Up to $6,000,000 for FY25–26 (subject to availability and proposal merit) - **Number of Awards:** Approximately 10–15 per year - **Award Duration:** Up to 3 years per project - **Award Type:** Standard or Continuing Grant - **Cost Sharing:** Not required or allowed --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** - U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), including two- and four-year colleges and community colleges, accredited and with a campus in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty. - International branch campuses of U.S. IHEs may participate with justification. - **PI/Co-PI Requirements:** - No restrictions on who may serve as PI or co-PI. - Proposals must include expertise in both mathematical and biological sciences (either through multiple PIs/co-PIs or a single PI with demonstrated expertise in both). - **Number of Proposals:** - No limits per organization or per PI/co-PI. --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platforms:** [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) - **Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals:** Not required - **Full Proposal:** Must follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) or the [NSF Grants.gov Application Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide) - **Collaborative Proposals:** If submitting as separate organizations, must use Research.gov - **Review Criteria:** Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, plus solicitation-specific criteria (see below) - **Budget:** Must be commensurate with project scope and justified; no voluntary cost sharing --- ## Additional Information - **Solicitation-Specific Review Criteria:** - Balanced participation from both mathematical and biological sciences. - Use of innovative mathematical methodologies or mechanistic modeling to generate new biological insights. - Advancement of mechanistic or quantitative understanding of the biological problem through mathematical approaches. - **Broadening Participation:** Proposals are encouraged from diverse teams and institutions, including Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), two-year colleges, and EPSCoR jurisdictions. - **Training:** Projects should address training and mentoring of students and postdocs at the math-biology interface, with attention to broadening participation. - **Restrictions:** NSF does not support research on the etiology, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease, or the development of animal models for such conditions, unless the work advances knowledge in engineering, mathematical, physical, computer, or information sciences. --- ## External Links - [NSF eMB Program Solicitation (NSF 25-509)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/emb-emerging-mathematics-biology/nsf25-509/solicitation) - [Download Solicitation PDF](https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf25509.pdf?VersionId=wsyTlAT5nYqwChzj0WrD5dO1_OPD43.g) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/jsf/workspace/createWorkspace.faces?activityID=CreateWorkspace&cleanSession=1&oppId=357047) - [NSF Broadening Participation in STEM](https://www.nsf.gov/od/broadeningparticipation/bp_portfolio_dynamic.jsp) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Division/Role | Email | Phone | |-----------------------|----------------------|------------------------------|-----------------| | Zhilan J. Feng | MPS/DMS Program Dir. | [zfeng@nsf.gov](mailto:zfeng@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7523 | | Shin-Han Shiu | BIO/IOS Program Dir. | [sshiu@nsf.gov](mailto:sshiu@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4834 | | David J. Klinke | BIO/MCB Program Dir. | [dklinke@nsf.gov](mailto:dklinke@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2890 | | Jeremy Wojdak | BIO/DEB Program Dir. | [jwojdak@nsf.gov](mailto:jwojdak@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8781 | | Jennifer W. Weller | BIO/DBI Program Dir. | [jweller@nsf.gov](mailto:jweller@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2224 | | NSF Information Center| General Inquiries | [info@nsf.gov](mailto:info@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-5111 | For technical support with Research.gov: [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) For Grants.gov support: [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) ---

Emerging Mathematics in Biology

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