Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs

U.S. National Science FoundationAmount not specifiedNo deadline listed

Schools & universities Researchers Narrow eligibility

Deadline: Not specified
Posted: Feb 14, 2024
Award amount: Amount not specified
Focus areas: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

In plain English

NSF's Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences core programs fund fundamental research on molecular, subcellular, and cellular biology, and are restricted to U.S. nonprofit research organizations and accredited institutions of higher education (faculty-sponsored). General nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals are not eligible. No specific funding amount is listed.

AI-generated summary to help you decide quickly — verify the official eligibility rules before applying.

Who can apply

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

About this grant

MCB supports research that promises to uncover the fundamental properties of living systems across atomic, molecular, subcellular, and cellular scales. The program gives high priority to projects that advance mechanistic understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of molecular, subcellular, and cellular systems, especially research that aims at quantitative and predictive knowledge of complex behavior and emergent properties. MCB encourages research exploring new concepts in molecular and cellular biology, while incorporating insights and approaches from other scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics, to illuminate principles that govern life at the molecular and cellular level. MCB also encourages research that exploits experimental and theoretical approaches and utilizes a diverse spectrum of model and non-model animals, plants, and microbes across the tree of life. Proposals that pursue potentially transformative ideas are welcome, even if these entail higher risk. This solicitation calls for proposals in research areas supported by the four MCB core clusters, including: (i) structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and supramolecular assemblies, especially under physiological conditions ( Molecular Biophysics ); (ii) organization, processing, expression, regulation, and evolution of genetic and epigenetic information ( Genetic Mechanisms ); (iii) cellular structure, properties, and function across broad spatiotemporal scales ( Cellular Dynamics and Function ); and (iv) systems and/or synthetic biology to study complex interactions through modeling or manipulation or design of living systems at the molecular-to-cellular scale ( Systems and Synthetic Biology ). All MCB clusters prioritize projects that integrate across scales, investigate molecular and cellular evolution, synergize experimental research with computational or mathematical modeling, and/or develop innovative, broadly applicable methods and technologies. Projects that bridge the intellectual edges between MCB clusters are welcome. Projects that integrate molecular and cellular biosciences with other subdisciplines of biology are also welcome through the new Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) track. Regarding health-related challenges, NSF supports basic research in all areas of the biological sciences and recognizes that this foundational research is likely to impact many different areas, including human health. MCB celebrates all the biological science discoveries funded through MCB awards that have had major impacts on health, environment, energy, food production, and other applications. Nevertheless, research focused exclusively on understanding human diseases and their treatment is normally outside of the scope offunding and will be returned without review unless that research significantly advances other fields such as engineering, computer science, or the mathematical and physical sciences.

Let AI draft your application

Your first draft is free: a narrative and budget outline tailored to this grant, emailed to you. Drafts are written in a nightly batch, so it arrives by email later — not instantly on this page.

Application Kit — $49 one-time

Winner intelligence + a first-draft narrative grounded in applications that actually won. One payment, no subscription.

Get the Application Kit →

Related grants

Other open grants funding Science and Technology and other Research and Development — soonest deadline first.

Also listed under U.S. National Science Foundation and Science & Research Grants.

Source: public records via Grants.gov. UseGrants is an independent aggregator, not affiliated with any funding agency. Always confirm details on the official listing before applying.