The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences (NSF BIO) enables discoveries for understanding life.
NSF BIO-supported research advances the frontiers of biological knowledge — at and across organizational, spatial and temporal scales — and provides a theoretical basis for prediction within complex, dynamic living systems through the integration of scientific disciplines.
The directorate also supports several user facilities and centers that create or synthesize data; provide access to tools, technology and expertise; and provide educational and workforce development opportunities.
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Key research themes
- Foundations of Life: Fundamental research in natural and synthetic living systems, including neural systems, to understand structure, dynamics, mechanisms, functions, and regulation at multiple scales of biological organization, from biomolecules and supramolecular assemblies to cells to organisms.
- Living Systems: Fundamental research on how diverse extant and extinct organisms and their interactions evolve and contribute to the structure, function, variation, and dynamics of natural and managed systems.
- Bioinnovation and Infrastructure: Hypothesis-driven, discovery-based research on functional genomics and development of new technological approaches that will transform our understanding at all levels of biological organization.
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Contact BIO
Reach out to program directors in the three BIO thematic areas: Foundations of Life (bio-fl@nsf.gov), Living Systems (bio-ls@nsf.gov), Bioinnovation and Infrastructure (bio-bi@nsf.gov).
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Attend virtual office hours webinars
Hear from BIO program directors about funding opportunities and proposal submission.
Search for BIO awards
See examples of current and past projects.