Tool Development for Molecular and Cell Biology (Tools4Cells)

NSF BIO supports the submission of proposals to develop novel tools and methods that improve scientists’ abilities to measure, analyze, manipulate, or control critical aspects of cellular properties and functions in order to continue to push boundaries and open new avenues of inquiry in molecular and cellular biosciences.

As scientists push forward new frontiers in cell biological research, progress is increasingly constrained by the limits of existing technologies, underscoring the continued need for the development of innovative tools and methods to advance understanding of cells and their functions. 

Historically, technological advances have had a profound and often catalytic influence on cell biology, either by enabling existing technologies to be applied in creative ways to study cellular processes or by introducing entirely new approaches that open previously inaccessible areas of investigation.  In this context, tool and method development – particularly efforts that draw on interdisciplinary advances from fields such as engineering, physics, chemistry, computation, or data science – remains essential.

Proposed tools or methods may be designed to address specific research questions or hypotheses defined by and intended for use by an individual investigator or a focused group of researchers.  Such projects will be evaluated based on the importance of the underlying biological question or hypothesis and the extent to which the proposed tool or method enhances the ability of scientists to study cells or cellular function in relation to that question.  In addition, the research community is encouraged to pursue high-risk, high-reward approaches that explore novel tools or methods with the potential to fundamentally change how cellular processes are observed, measured, or understood.

There are additional opportunities in research infrastructure in the areas of bioinformatics, instrumentation and research methods through the Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research (Innovation) solicitation.

PIs can contact the program officers listed above with any questions about where best to submit a proposal.