Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Biological Sciences and the Division of Biological Infrastructure, administers the Infrastructure Innovation for Biological Research (Innovation) Program, solicitation NSF 23-578. Established under NSF’s longstanding mission to support research and education in all fields of science, this program specifically funds the design of novel or significantly improved research tools, methods, and infrastructure that enable transformative advances in biological sciences. The solicitation was released on April 19, 2023, and replaces NSF 21-502. It reflects NSF’s mandate since 1950 to foster broad participation in science and engineering and to provide resources that enhance the capabilities of researchers across the nation. The Innovation Program focuses on three main programmatic areas: Bioinformatics, Instrumentation, and Research Methods. Within these areas, proposals may aim to develop entirely new infrastructure, substantially redesign existing infrastructure, or adapt existing approaches in new and impactful ways. Supported innovations should improve researchers’ ability to analyze, manipulate, measure, or control key aspects of biological systems. Projects are expected to serve the broader biological research community rather than a single research team, with emphasis on infrastructure that can advance understanding across multiple disciplines. High-risk, high-reward projects are encouraged, provided they are designed to make substantive contributions to the research community and scientific knowledge. The funding scope is broad, supporting proposals aligned with any research area under NSF’s Directorate for Biological Sciences. However, proposals primarily focused on human disease, clinical applications, or drug design are not eligible. Instead, projects must center on advancing biological research infrastructure. Awards may be structured as standard or continuing grants, or in some cases, cooperative agreements for larger and more complex efforts. Approximately 20 to 40 awards are expected, with a total program budget of $16 million to $18 million. Award size and duration vary according to the complexity and potential impact of the project. Importantly, cost sharing is prohibited, and no indirect cost limitations are imposed. Eligibility for this program is restricted to U.S.-based institutions of higher education, including two- and four-year colleges and community colleges, as well as non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, professional societies, and research laboratories. International branch campuses of U.S. institutions may participate only if applicants demonstrate that the work cannot be conducted at the U.S. campus and if the international component provides clear benefits to the project. Proposals may be submitted at any time; there are no fixed annual deadlines. This rolling acceptance provides flexibility but requires applicants to carefully track NSF updates to ensure the program remains active and funded. Applicants must submit proposals through either Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. Full proposals must include sections on project relevance to advancing basic biological research, a detailed development plan with risk assessment, project management structure, broader impacts, communication and dissemination, and outcomes assessment. Supplementary documentation may include Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plans, data management and specimen management plans, and letters of collaboration. NSF places strong emphasis on ensuring safe and inclusive research environments, particularly for projects involving fieldwork. Evaluation of proposals follows NSF’s merit review principles and criteria, emphasizing both intellectual merit and broader impacts. Reviewers consider the potential of the proposed activity to advance knowledge, benefit society, demonstrate originality, and be well-organized with a sound rationale. Additional solicitation-specific criteria include responsiveness to defined research needs, community benefit, clear advancement beyond existing methods, and effective project management. Proposals undergo review by ad hoc reviewers and panels, with awards finalized after programmatic and administrative approval. Principal Investigators must provide annual and final reports through Research.gov, and awards are subject to NSF’s general grant conditions. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program-specific email addresses for Bioinformatics, Instrumentation, or Research Methods at DBIBioinformatics@nsf.gov, DBIInstrumentation@nsf.gov, and DBIInnovationMethods@nsf.gov, or call (703) 292-8470:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.