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

Proposals accepted anytime

Up to $2,000,000 per award (up to 4 years) | Estimated total program funding: $10,000,000 | ~15 awards expected

Supports development of genomic tools and hypothesis-driven research to uncover causal mechanisms linking genes and phenotypes in diverse, especially non-model, organisms.

--- ## Description The Enabling Discovery through GEnomic Tools (EDGE) program funds research that advances understanding of the mechanistic basis of complex traits in a broad range of organisms—including plants, animals, microbes, viruses, and fungi—particularly in non-model systems. The program supports both the development of innovative genomic tools, technologies, and infrastructure, and hypothesis-driven research that directly tests relationships between genotypes and phenotypes. EDGE aims to accelerate biological discovery by enabling direct tests of gene function and elucidating the rules connecting genomes to phenomes, a foundational challenge in biology. Projects may focus on: - Developing functional genomic tools and infrastructure for organisms where these are currently lacking (Functional Genomic Tools Track). - Hypothesis-driven research on complex, multigenic traits, especially using non-model organisms, to generalize findings across biological contexts (Complex Multigenic Traits Track). NSF expects funded projects to have high potential for catalytic impact on research communities and to include plans for rapid dissemination of tools and training. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $2,000,000 per project (up to 4 years) - Estimated total program funding: $10,000,000 - Expected number of awards: approximately 15 - No cost-sharing required --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants: Unrestricted—open to all categories of proposers identified in the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg), except unaffiliated individuals. - No limits on the number of proposals per organization or per PI/co-PI. - International subawards are permitted if justified by unique capabilities not available in the U.S. - Proposals must not focus exclusively on established model organisms unless the work will generalize to other systems. --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted via [FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. - Proposals must follow the [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) and include required sections: Intellectual Merit, Experimental Approach, Broader Impacts, and (for Functional Genomic Tools Track) Research Community Impact. - Supplementary documents may include: Data Management Plan, Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan, Dissemination and Education Plan (for tool development proposals), Project Management Plan (for multi-organization projects), and Letters of Collaboration as appropriate. - Proposals are reviewed based on NSF’s standard merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, plus additional criteria specific to this solicitation. --- ## Additional Information - EDGE does not support projects focused solely on initial genome sequencing, bioinformatics pipeline development, or research on established model organisms (unless for generalization). - Multi-institutional collaborations must be submitted as a single proposal with subawards. - Awardees are expected to attend annual meetings and rapidly disseminate tools and resources prior to publication. - See the [program solicitation](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20532) for full requirements. --- ## External Links - [NSF EDGE Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/edge-enabling-discovery-through-genomics) - [NSF Publication 20-532 (Program Solicitation)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20532) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359418) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------| | General EDGE Program Inquiries | [BIOIOSEDGE@NSF.GOV](mailto:BIOIOSEDGE@NSF.GOV) | | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | Ted Morgan (Program Officer) | [tmorgan@nsf.gov](mailto:tmorgan@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7868 | | Edda Thiels (Program Officer) | [ethiels@nsf.gov](mailto:ethiels@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8167 | | Douglas Abbot (Program Officer) | [dabbot@nsf.gov](mailto:dabbot@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7820 | | Ford Ballantyne (Program Officer)| [fballant@nsf.gov](mailto:fballant@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8037 | | Steven Ellis (Program Officer) | [stellis@nsf.gov](mailto:stellis@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7876 | | Anthony Garza (Program Officer) | [aggarza@nsf.gov](mailto:aggarza@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8440 | | Diane Okamuro (Program Officer) | [dokamuro@nsf.gov](mailto:dokamuro@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4508 | ---

Enabling Discovery through GEnomics

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