Engineering of Biomedical Systems

The Engineering of Biomedical Systems (EBMS) program supports fundamental and transformative research that integrates engineering and life sciences to address complex biomedical problems. As part of the Engineering Biology and Health cluster, this program emphasizes research projects that use engineering frameworks, such as design or modeling, to enhance the understanding of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Projects must simultaneously advance knowledge in both engineering and biomedical sciences, with long-term goals tied to improving disease diagnosis, treatment, or healthcare delivery. Immediate objectives should focus on gaining a deeper understanding of cellular and tissue functions under normal and pathological conditions. Research areas of interest include developing validated computational or living models of tissues and organ systems to improve understanding or facilitate future medical interventions. The program also supports the design and validation of systems integrating living and non-living components to aid in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Projects may involve creating technologies and tools for studying physiological processes, advancing biomanufacturing techniques for 3D tissues and organs, and applying engineering principles to study and modulate immune responses. Innovative proposals outside these areas may be considered, but investigators are strongly advised to consult the program director beforehand to ensure alignment with program objectives. Certain areas fall outside the program's scope, such as projects centered on drug design and delivery, biomedical devices without a living biological component, or animal model development. Proposals focusing exclusively on device design, material optimization, or algorithm development without a clear biomedical research component are also not suitable. Researchers are encouraged to explore related NSF programs for projects in protein engineering, cellular manufacturing, biomechanics, biomaterials, microphysiological systems, signal processing, and advanced manufacturing systems. Feasibility studies involving human volunteers may be supported, but clinical trials are not eligible for funding. Proposals should clearly articulate the novelty and potentially transformative nature of the research, emphasizing its significance to both engineering science and biomedical applications. The Project Summary must explicitly highlight these aspects. Awards typically support three years of research, including funding for one graduate student and up to one month of principal investigator time per year. Larger budgets should be discussed with the program director in advance. Investigators can refer to recent awards for guidance on project scope and funding expectations. Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals are strongly encouraged, with a submission deadline in July each year. These awards have a five-year duration. Proposals for conferences, workshops, and supplemental funding require prior discussion with the program director. Additionally, RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI proposals are accepted year-round but must also be discussed in advance. These mechanisms support time-sensitive research, exploratory projects, and collaborations with industry partners, respectively. Applicants must ensure full compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), as non-compliant proposals will be returned without review. Investigators are advised to review funded project examples to better understand the program's priorities and expectations.