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

Proposals accepted anytime

Awards typically range from $300,000 to $800,000; total program funding up to $18,000,000; up to 40 awards expected.

Supports the design and development of novel or significantly improved research tools, methods, and infrastructure to advance biological research in areas supported by the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences.

--- ## Description The Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research Program (Innovation) aims to foster the development of research infrastructure that enables transformative advances in biology. The program supports projects that design novel or greatly improved research tools, methods, or infrastructure with broad applicability across the biological sciences. Supported areas include bioinformatics, instrumentation, and research methods. Projects should have clear potential to advance biological understanding by improving researchers’ ability to manipulate, control, analyze, or measure critical aspects of biological systems. Proposals may focus on: - Developing new infrastructure, - Significantly redesigning existing infrastructure, or - Adapting existing infrastructure in novel ways. The intended impact is for these innovations to be utilized by a research community beyond a single team, addressing important fundamental questions in biology. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there is no fixed deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Typical award size: $300,000 to $800,000 per project. - Estimated total program funding: up to $18,000,000. - Expected number of awards: up to 40, subject to availability of funds and proposal merit. - Award types: Standard Grant, Continuing Grant, or Cooperative Agreement. - No cost-sharing or matching required. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible organizations:** - U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities. - U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited in the U.S. and acting on behalf of their faculty. - For international branch campuses of U.S. IHEs: proposals must justify why project activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus and explain the benefit of performance at the international branch. - **Eligible individuals:** - No restrictions or limits on who may serve as Principal Investigator (PI). - **Proposal limits:** - No limits on the number of proposals per organization or per PI/co-PI. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov). - **Format:** Follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) and [NSF Grants.gov Application Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide). - **Required documents:** - Project Summary (with keywords, intellectual merit, and broader impacts) - Project Description (max 15 pages, including relevance, development plan, management, dissemination, and outcome assessment) - Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources (max 2 pages) - Data Management and Sharing Plan - Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan (if applicable) - Letters of Collaboration (if applicable) - **Review process:** Proposals are reviewed by NSF staff and external experts using the NSF merit review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, with additional review considerations specific to infrastructure innovation. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals related to human disease, clinical, or drug design research are not eligible. - The program encourages high-risk/high-reward proposals and the leveraging of NSF-supported infrastructure. - Education supplements are generally not provided except for Career-Life-Balance supplements. - For proposals involving specimen collection or generation, a Specimen Management Plan must be included in the Data Management Plan. - All off-campus or off-site research requires a Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan as a supplementary document. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Solicitation (NSF 23-578)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/innovation-infrastructure-innovation-biological-research/nsf23-578/solicitation) - [NSF Publication 23-578](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf23578) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/347680) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Research.gov Submission Portal](https://www.research.gov) - [Grants.gov Submission Portal](https://www.grants.gov) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Email | Phone | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | General inquiries (Bioinformatics) | [DBIBioinformatics@nsf.gov](mailto:DBIBioinformatics@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8470 | | General inquiries (Instrumentation) | [DBIInstrumentation@nsf.gov](mailto:DBIInstrumentation@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8470 | | General inquiries (Research Methods) | [DBIInnovationMethods@nsf.gov](mailto:DBIInnovationMethods@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8470 | | NSF grants.gov support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | NSF Help Desk | [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) | 1-800-673-6188 | | Grants.gov Contact Center | [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) | 1-800-518-4726 |

Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research

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