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

Proposals accepted anytime

$25,000–$1,200,000 per award; approx. $40 million total program funding; up to 80 awards expected

Supports the development, expansion, or improvement of infrastructure that enables fundamental research in the biological sciences.

No limit on the number of proposals per PI, co-PI, or organization.

--- ## Description This program supports projects that develop, expand, or improve infrastructure critical for advancing fundamental research in the biological sciences. Supported infrastructure may include cyberinfrastructure, instrumentation, biological collections, living stocks, field stations, marine laboratories, and other shared, openly accessible resources. The goal is to enhance the capacity of the scientific community to conduct leading-edge research, with an emphasis on projects that deliver or substantially improve infrastructure serving broad user communities. Proposals must demonstrate how the proposed infrastructure will advance or transform research in areas supported by the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences. Projects can address any field of research supported by BIO and may span one or more of the following programmatic areas: - Cyberinfrastructure for Biological Research (CIBR) - Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) - Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML) - Instrumentation Capacity for Biological Research (ICBR) Projects that integrate across these resource types are encouraged. The program also considers workshop, planning, RAPID/EAGER, GOALI, and Research Coordination Network (RCN) proposals. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime --- ## Funding Amount - Individual awards range from $25,000 to $1,200,000, depending on the scope and complexity. - Approximately $40 million available for new awards annually. - 50–80 awards anticipated per year. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** - U.S. institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited in and having a campus in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty. - Non-profit, non-academic organizations in the U.S. (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities. - For international branch campuses of U.S. IHEs: proposals must justify why project activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus. - **Who may serve as PI:** No restrictions. - **Limits on proposals:** No limit on the number of proposals per PI, co-PI, or organization. - **Other:** A single research resource may be the focus of only one proposal to this solicitation in a single year. --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359588). - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. - Follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). - Proposals should: - Clearly describe the infrastructure to be delivered/improved. - Provide a science-driven rationale and needs assessment. - Include a detailed work plan, management structure, dissemination, and sustainability plan. - Address both intellectual merit and broader impacts. - Include a Data Management Plan and, if applicable, a Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan. - Collaborative proposals must be submitted via FastLane. - Cost sharing is not permitted. --- ## Additional Information - Workshop and planning proposals are accepted as described in the PAPPG. - RAPID, EAGER, GOALI, and RCN proposals are considered; contact program officers for guidance. - Projects involving construction or environmental impacts may require compliance with NEPA and other federal regulations—contact NSF in advance if relevant. - Annual and final reporting is required for all awards. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/capacity-infrastructure-capacity-biological-research) - [NSF 18-594 Solicitation (Archived)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf18594) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359588) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |---------------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------| | Peter H. McCartney | pmccartn@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8470| | Robert D. Fleischmann | rfleisch@nsf.gov | (703) 292-7191| | Reed S. Beaman | rsbeaman@nsf.gov | (703) 292-7163| | NSF Grants.gov Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | 1-800-518-4726| | NSF Information Center | nsfpubs@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5111| ---

Infrastructure Capacity for Biological Research

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