Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) program is administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), a federal agency dedicated to supporting fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. The PRFB program falls under the Directorate for Biological Sciences, Division of Biological Infrastructure. This funding opportunity reflects NSF’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary scientific advancement by investing in early-career researchers who are positioned to push the frontiers of both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biological sciences. The 2026 PRFB solicitation emphasizes the integration of AI with biological research to drive innovation and secure future technological and economic prosperity. The program supports postdoctoral scientists whose research is at the intersection of AI and biological systems. Proposals must address how AI can be applied to biological data to uncover new mechanisms or insights that may lead to technological breakthroughs. Fellows are expected to engage in both research and training, acquiring competencies in areas outside their original specialization—AI scientists will gain biology expertise, and vice versa. This dual training model is designed to cultivate a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists capable of addressing complex biological challenges using advanced computational methods. Awards provide $110,000 annually for two years, comprising an $85,000 stipend and a $25,000 research and training allowance. Allowable costs include travel, training, equipment, supplies, publication fees, and fringe benefits like health insurance and dependent care. Fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and must not have accumulated more than 15 months of postdoctoral experience by the proposal deadline. Proposals are submitted directly by the individual through Research.gov, not via an institution, although the fellow must be affiliated with a qualified host institution and sponsoring scientist(s). Eligible institutions include U.S. and international academic, nonprofit, and government entities, with some conditions allowing for-profit institutions. All fellows must have a sponsor and a host institution, which must demonstrate a strong mentoring and research environment. A single integrated sponsor statement, limited to three pages, is required. Proposals must include a project summary, project description, doctoral research abstract, and additional documents like reference letters and data management plans. Applications must conform to both the PRFB solicitation and the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The PRFB program does not permit voluntary cost sharing and limits eligibility to individuals who have not previously submitted more than one PRFB application. The deadline for full proposal submissions is September 29, 2026, with a recurring annual deadline on the fourth Tuesday of September. Notification of awards typically occurs in the following spring, and fellows must begin their tenure between June 1 and September 1 of the following year. The program encourages international experience and interdisciplinary collaboration, including through NSF-supported infrastructure such as NEON, Biofoundries, and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot. Evaluation is based on the NSF merit review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, with additional emphasis on scientific independence, sponsor fit, training plans, and how well the proposal integrates AI and biology for technological application. The fellowships are non-renewable and subject to the terms outlined in the PRFB Administrative Guide. Questions may be directed to the program contact at [email protected].

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