BIO Programs

Funding in the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) is awarded through core research programs housed in its divisions and offices and through focused programs managed by one or more division. Contact the program director(s) listed on any program webpage to ask questions or get feedback on whether the program is a good fit for your research. 

You can also visit the Funding at NSF page to learn more about opportunities aimed at students and researchers based on career stage and information about preparing and submitting a proposal. Visit the Funding Search page to explore all NSF funding opportunities.

Proposals are evaluated through the merit review process outlined in the Proposal Award Policies and Procedures Guide.

On this page

Directorate-wide and interdisciplinary programs

Program
Next Required Due Date: September 4, 2025
Posted May 16, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 18, 2025
Posted October 27, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 19, 2025
Posted July 29, 2024
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted January 17, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 23, 2025
Posted October 22, 2024

DBI core programs

Division of Biological Infrastructure

Program
Next Required Due Date: January 28, 2025
Posted October 28, 2021
Program
Next Required Due Date: July 1, 2025
Posted December 23, 2021
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted April 18, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted April 20, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: March 19, 2025
Posted August 16, 2024

DEB core programs

Division of Environmental Biology 

Program
Posted June 15, 2011
Program
Posted June 15, 2011
Program
Posted June 15, 2011

IOS core programs

Division of Integrative Organismal Systems

Program
Posted August 15, 2011
Program
Posted August 15, 2011
Program
Posted August 15, 2011
Program
Posted August 15, 2011
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted February 16, 2024

MCB core programs

Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

Program
Posted October 9, 2012
Program
Posted October 10, 2012
Program
Posted October 10, 2012
Program
Posted October 10, 2012

Other programs

Program
Posted December 16, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: March 6, 2025
Posted December 14, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted December 9, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: March 3, 2025
Posted June 10, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted May 13, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted October 6, 2020

Lead agency opportunities and international collaborations

Note that several of the above programs also support international collaborations.

Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted January 27, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted September 26, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted October 23, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted November 15, 2021