Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs
This grant supports research to understand living systems at molecular and cellular levels, emphasizing mechanistic insights and interdisciplinary approaches across various scientific disciplines.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime
Funding Amounts: $110,000,000 total program funding per year; typical project duration 3–5 years; no stated minimum or maximum per award
Summary: Supports fundamental research to advance mechanistic understanding of molecular, subcellular, and cellular systems across all domains of life, emphasizing innovative, interdisciplinary, and quantitative approaches.
Key Information: Research focused solely on human diseases and their treatment is not eligible unless advancing other scientific fields.
Description
The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) Core Programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) fund research that uncovers the fundamental properties of living systems at the atomic, molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels. The program emphasizes mechanistic studies that advance predictive and quantitative understanding of complex and emergent biological behaviors.
MCB welcomes proposals in four core clusters:
- Molecular Biophysics: Structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and supramolecular assemblies.
- Genetic Mechanisms: Organization, processing, expression, regulation, and evolution of genetic and epigenetic information.
- Cellular Dynamics and Function: Cellular structure, properties, and function across broad spatiotemporal scales.
- Systems and Synthetic Biology: Modeling, manipulation, or design of complex interactions at molecular-to-cellular scales.
Projects that bridge multiple clusters, integrate experimental and computational/modeling approaches, or develop innovative, broadly applicable methods are encouraged. Cross-disciplinary and high-risk, potentially transformative research is welcome. The solicitation also includes tracks for:
- Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO): For projects spanning sub-disciplines within biology.
- EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR: For capacity-building collaborations led by researchers in EPSCoR jurisdictions.
Research solely focused on human disease or its treatment is generally outside the scope unless it significantly advances fields such as engineering, computer science, or the physical sciences.
