Sustaining Infrastructure for Biological Research

The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) "Sustaining Infrastructure for Biological Research" (Sustaining) program, identified by solicitation NSF 21-503, provides funding to maintain essential research infrastructure that supports a broad spectrum of biological research. The program specifically targets resources that are well-established and widely used, such as cyberinfrastructure and biological living stocks, which play a significant role in advancing biological research within NSF’s Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). Unlike other NSF programs, Sustaining is focused exclusively on supporting ongoing operation and maintenance, rather than infrastructure development or expansion. Awards under this program are expected to cover only the essential costs for sustaining current functionality, including human resources, routine updates, and technical support, as well as implementation of cost-sharing policies that distribute some of the operational burden to user communities. The program anticipates awarding between one and three grants annually, with total funding of approximately $5 million per year, although awards may vary based on the number and quality of applications and the availability of funds. Notably, while cost-sharing is prohibited, applicants are encouraged to implement revenue-generating models for long-term sustainability, as future funding may depend on the development of such cost-sharing mechanisms. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based higher education institutions and non-profit, non-academic organizations, such as research labs, museums, and professional societies. There are no restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator (PI), nor on the number of proposals per organization or individual. This flexibility is intended to accommodate the broad needs and contributions of various biological research resources. Full proposals are accepted at any time and must adhere to NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines. Submission must be made through Research.gov or Grants.gov, with a comprehensive project description detailing the infrastructure’s current impact, its critical role in biological research, and plans for operational continuity. Evaluation of proposals follows NSF's merit review process, focusing on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Reviewers will also assess specific factors such as the infrastructure’s criticality to biological sciences, effectiveness in supporting user needs, management, fiscal planning, and sustainability. Successful projects must demonstrate mature infrastructure with significant past impact and potential for sustained contributions to research. Additional specific criteria include detailed project management plans, user community engagement, and clearly defined success metrics for assessing ongoing and projected impacts. For awarded projects, annual progress reports are required, along with a final project report upon completion. Award terms may include additional documentation requirements, especially for large and complex projects, where project execution plans and detailed cost estimates might be necessary. Queries about the Sustaining program can be directed to NSF's designated program officers via email at SustainingDBI@nsf.gov or by calling (703) 292-8470. Further information is available on the NSF website, where applicants can access resources on proposal preparation, policy updates, and technical support for Research.gov and Grants.gov submissions.