Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research

The Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research (Innovation) program, managed by the Division of Biological Infrastructure within the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports the design and development of novel or substantially improved research tools and methods that advance contemporary biology. With a mission to promote the progress of science and support fundamental biological research, NSF aims to facilitate infrastructure innovations that are broadly applicable across the biological sciences. The program particularly targets areas that require cutting-edge solutions to enable researchers to manipulate, control, analyze, or measure biological systems in ways that support transformative scientific discoveries. This solicitation invites proposals under three core programmatic areas: Bioinformatics, Instrumentation, and Research Methods. Each of these areas represents critical components of research infrastructure essential to the progress of modern biological research. The Bioinformatics area seeks novel cyberinfrastructure tools that can enhance data analysis and integration. Instrumentation focuses on the development of tools for observing biological phenomena, while Research Methods supports the creation of laboratory and field-based methodologies with the potential for wide application and significant impact across biological disciplines. Proposals must demonstrate how the innovation fills a clear gap, improves existing capabilities, or introduces a new approach that can be scaled and utilized by the wider scientific community. The program emphasizes inclusivity and invites applications from institutions of higher education, including community colleges and international branches of U.S. institutions (with justification), as well as non-academic, nonprofit organizations such as research laboratories, observatories, and professional societies. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals per institution or individual investigator. The application process does not require letters of intent or preliminary proposals. Proposals can be submitted at any time through either Research.gov or Grants.gov and must comply with NSF's Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The solicitation allows for several proposal types beyond standard research proposals, including CAREER, Research Coordination Networks (RCNs), Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI), and proposals under the RAPID, EAGER, RAISE, and GOALI mechanisms. Proposals may also include conference and travel support, provided they are submitted at least six months before the planned event. All applicants proposing off-campus or field research must submit a Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan as a supplementary document. Additionally, for projects involving specimen collection, a Specimen Management Plan must be included in the Data Management and Sharing Plan, detailing long-term preservation and accessibility strategies. Approximately $16 million to $18 million is expected to be available for this program, with an estimated 20 to 40 awards, subject to the availability of funds and proposal quality. The size and duration of awards will vary based on project complexity and anticipated impact. The solicitation does not permit voluntary committed cost sharing, and indirect cost limitations do not apply. Proposals should include detailed budgets with justification for personnel, equipment, and travel, among other categories. Review criteria include both intellectual merit and broader impacts, with an emphasis on high-risk/high-reward innovations that meet the evolving needs of the biological research community. To ensure widespread dissemination of outcomes, proposals must include strategies for communication, data sharing, and accessibility of developed infrastructure. Reviewers will assess the significance of the proposed innovation, its alignment with biological research priorities, its potential for community adoption, and the strength of the project management plan. Interested applicants may contact program officers assigned to each of the three thematic areas—Bioinformatics, Instrumentation, and Research Methods—at [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected], respectively. The funding opportunity remains open continuously, with proposals accepted year-round.

Emphasize high-risk/high-reward potential, broad applicability, and strong project management plans to meet NSF expectations.