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

Proposals accepted anytime

~$60,000,000 total annually; typical project duration 1–5 years; no minimum or maximum budget

Supports research to understand organismal structure and function, including integrative and cross-scale biological studies.

No set deadlines; proposals may be submitted year-round.

--- ## Description The Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) Core Programs support fundamental research aimed at understanding why organisms are structured the way they are and how they function across a wide range of biological contexts. The program welcomes proposals in all core scientific areas supported by IOS, including developmental biology, nervous system development and evolution, biomechanics, physiology, symbioses, microbial interactions, genomics, and animal behavior. Proposals should focus on organisms as fundamental units of biological organization and are encouraged to use integrative, systems-level approaches. The solicitation features two tracks: - **Core Programs Track:** For research in any core IOS area, emphasizing integrative, interdisciplinary, and innovative approaches. - **Rules of Life (RoL) Track:** For proposals that span multiple biological scales and divisions within NSF's Biological Sciences Directorate, aiming to uncover general principles ("rules") that explain emergent properties in living systems. Proposals may include small- or large-scale projects, with budgets and durations appropriate to the scope of work. The program also supports supplemental and special proposal types, such as Research Coordination Networks (RCN), Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI), and Mid-Career Investigator Awards. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there are no fixed deadlines. - Supplemental funding requests for REU, RET, RAHSS, and ROA activities are generally targeted for March 1 each year, but planned activities can be included in the main proposal at submission. --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: ~$60,000,000 annually. - Approximately 250 awards are made each year. - Typical project duration: 1–5 years. - No minimum or maximum budget; requests should be commensurate with project scope. - Both small- and large-scale projects are supported. --- ## Eligibility - Open to all categories of proposers eligible under the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), including universities, colleges, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government agencies. - Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals. - No restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI. - No limits on the number of proposals per organization or per PI/Co-PI. --- ## 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/). - Follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) for proposal preparation. - Letters of Intent and preliminary proposals are not required. - For the RoL Track, proposal titles must begin with “RoL:” and must designate at least one secondary program in a different BIO division. - Required documents include a Data Management Plan and, if applicable, a Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan. - Proposals must be compliant with both the solicitation and PAPPG requirements. --- ## Additional Information - Research motivated by human health or disease mechanisms is not appropriate for this program and will be returned without review. - Proposals that leverage NSF-supported infrastructure (e.g., NEON, CyVerse) are encouraged. - Special opportunities exist for: - Mid-Career Investigator Awards - Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) - Research Coordination Networks (RCN) - Accomplishment-Based Renewal (ABR) - U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) collaborations - Conference, EAGER, RAPID, and supplemental proposals - Broader Impacts and Intellectual Merit are central review criteria. --- ## External Links - [Program Solicitation and Details (NSF Publication 20-536)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20536) - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359412) - [NSF IOS Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=IOS) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) - [Research Coordination Networks (RCN) Program](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11691) - [Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) Program](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5518&from=fund) --- ## Contact Information | Cluster / Program Area | Email Address | Phone | |-------------------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------| | Behavioral Systems | IOSBSC@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8423 | | Developmental Systems | IOSDSC@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8417 | | Neural Systems | IOSNSC@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8421 | | Physiological & Structural Systems | IOSPSS@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8413 | | Plant Genome Research Program | dbipgr@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8420 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | | | NSF Information Center | nsfpubs@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5111 | For technical support with FastLane or Research.gov: fastlane@nsf.gov or rgov@nsf.gov For Grants.gov support: support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726 ---

Division of Integrative Organismal Biology Core Programs

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