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

September 29, 2026

Estimated total program funding: $16,500,000; typical award floor: $220,000 per fellowship

Supports postdoctoral fellowships for early-career researchers at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biological sciences to drive biotechnology innovation.

--- ## Description This program supports postdoctoral researchers pursuing independent research and training at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and biological sciences. The goal is to foster breakthroughs in biotechnology and bio-system design by leveraging AI to explore complex biological systems, accelerating innovation, and strengthening the nation's biotechnology infrastructure. Fellows will gain cross-disciplinary expertise, positioning them as future leaders in AI-enabled biological research. Proposals should demonstrate the integration of AI and biology, with an emphasis on leveraging existing biological data and infrastructure (such as Biofoundries, Programmable Cloud Labs, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and NEON) to advance discovery and innovation that benefits society and the economy. --- ## Due Dates - September 29, 2026: Application closing date / full proposal deadline --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $16,500,000 - Typical award floor: $220,000 per fellowship - Awards are made directly to individual fellows, not to host institutions. --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** - Proposals must be submitted by individuals (not institutions). - Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents (green card holders) at the time of submission. - Intended for graduate students seeking their first postdoctoral position or early-career postdoctoral fellows. - Must earn a doctoral degree in an appropriate field prior to beginning the fellowship. - Must present a research plan within the purview of the Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO) and focused on the intersection of AI and biology as described in the solicitation. - Must identify a sponsoring scientist(s) and affiliate with a suitable U.S. or international host institution (including higher education institutions, nonprofit institutes, museums, government agencies/labs, and, in special cases, for-profit organizations with prior approval). - Applicants must not have worked in positions requiring a doctoral degree for more than 15 full-time months prior to the application deadline. - Applicants may submit to the PRFB program no more than twice, regardless of outcome. - The same research must not be submitted to another NSF postdoctoral fellowship program. - Proposals not meeting eligibility requirements will be returned without review. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted by the individual applicant, not by the host institution. - Applicants must secure a sponsoring scientist and confirm affiliation with an appropriate host institution at the time of submission. - Follow guidelines in the official solicitation ([NSF Publication 26-504](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf26504)). - All applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361249). - No cost-sharing or matching is required. --- ## Additional Information - The program emphasizes leveraging the diversity of existing biological data and infrastructure to accelerate biotechnology discovery and innovation. - Proposals should articulate how the research and training will integrate AI and biological sciences to address challenges and opportunities in biotechnology. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/prfb-postdoctoral-research-fellowships-biology) - [NSF Publication 26-504 (Solicitation)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf26504) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361249) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Description | |--------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | NSF grants.gov support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | For issues accessing the funding announcement | | General NSF Inquiries | info@nsf.gov | General questions about NSF programs | | NSF Contact Page | [Contact NSF](https://new.nsf.gov/about/contact-us) | Online contact form and additional information |

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology

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