Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Core Programs

The Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) Core Programs grant, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports a broad array of research initiatives aimed at advancing the scientific understanding of organisms as integrated systems. This funding opportunity, updated under Solicitation NSF 24-546, provides continuous proposal acceptance with no formal deadlines, accommodating ongoing and emerging biological research. The IOS is housed within NSF's Directorate for Biological Sciences and covers several specialized clusters, including Behavioral, Developmental, Neural, Physiological and Structural Systems, and the Plant Genome Research Program. These clusters emphasize different facets of organismal biology, allowing for wide-ranging scientific inquiry that integrates various biological scales and disciplines. The primary purpose of this program is to fund research that enhances understanding of how organisms develop, function, and interact within their environments. Supported research topics include developmental biology, neurobiology, biomechanics, genomics, and organismal interactions with both biotic and abiotic factors. Investigators are encouraged to apply systems approaches to generate theoretical insights and predictive models about organismal traits and behaviors. The program supports both traditional and interdisciplinary research and strongly encourages proposals that span conceptual and methodological boundaries to address complex biological problems. The funding opportunity includes two tracks: the Core Programs Track and the Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) Track. The IntBIO Track specifically targets bold, integrative research questions that necessitate collaboration across biological sub-disciplines. These proposals must demonstrate synergy across different biological systems and methodologies, resulting in knowledge that transcends the sum of its parts. Requirements for IntBIO proposals include a graphic showing integration strategies, collaborative teams with distinct expertise, and a training component that prepares researchers in integrative biology. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and follow the guidelines set in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. All full proposals involving off-campus or off-site work must include a Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan. Proposals should also include a data management and sharing plan, and if applicable, details about collection and preservation of biological specimens. Additionally, supplementary funding may be requested for activities such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), career-life balance needs, or international collaborations. Applicants must be institutions of higher education or nonprofit, non-academic research organizations located in the United States. There are no limits on the number of proposals an organization or individual may submit. Approximately 150 awards are expected annually, with a total estimated program budget of $70 million. Awards can be standard or continuing grants, and budgets should be appropriate to the scope and duration of the proposed research. Cost sharing is not permitted, and indirect costs are unrestricted. Proposals are evaluated based on NSF’s two primary review criteria—Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Additional solicitation-specific criteria apply to IntBIO Track proposals and SAHF Plans. For assistance, proposers may contact the relevant Program Directors listed in the solicitation. This opportunity remains perpetually open, allowing continuous submission and review. Although the solicitation does not specify performance periods or award timelines, funding decisions typically follow the NSF’s standard review cycle, with decisions made within approximately six months of submission.

Highlight synergistic, integrative research; include strong training and broader impacts components; address all supplementary documents thoroughly