Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB), has issued an ongoing funding opportunity titled "Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research (Transitions)" under solicitation number NSF 21-508. This program supports mid-career and senior researchers aiming to transition their research programs into new, potentially transformative areas within molecular and cellular biosciences. The initiative specifically seeks to enable scientists to acquire new technical or scientific expertise through professional development such as sabbaticals, with the overarching objective of enhancing their competitiveness and fostering innovative, interdisciplinary research. The NSF is an independent federal agency established to support fundamental research and education across science and engineering disciplines. The MCB Division emphasizes the mechanistic understanding of living systems at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels. The Transitions program aligns with NSF’s goal of promoting scientific advancement and workforce retention by allowing principal investigators (PIs) to initiate a shift in research direction using a combination of sabbatical support and follow-up research funding. This funding opportunity offers grants up to $750,000 per award, with an estimated total funding pool of $6 million, pending availability of funds. The program anticipates supporting between five and eight awards annually. Each award spans three years: up to six months of salary support during the professional development period (e.g., a sabbatical), followed by two years of continued research funding once the PI resumes regular duties at their institution. Proposals must include a robust professional development plan, a rationale for the transition, prior research accomplishments, and institutional support demonstrated through a letter from the department chair. An optional letter from the host lab may also be submitted. Applicants must be mid-career or senior researchers—specifically, Associate or Full Professors, or the equivalent. Proposals must align with MCB-supported research domains and explicitly outline a significant transition in research focus. Importantly, projects focused on understanding or treating disease are not eligible for support under this program. Research that integrates biology with physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, or engineering is especially encouraged. Proposals lacking a clear research transition plan or medical relevance will be deemed unresponsive or returned without review. Proposals may be submitted at any time via Research.gov or Grants.gov, following standard NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) instructions. Applicants must label the proposal title with the prefix "Transitions:" and include distinct sections within the project description that cover prior accomplishments, the professional development plan, and the future research plan. The broader impacts section is also required, per NSF policies. Evaluation of proposals is based on NSF’s merit review criteria—intellectual merit and broader impacts—along with additional factors specific to this program. These include the strength of the professional development strategy, alignment with MCB priorities, and the PI’s potential for achieving transformative research outcomes in the new area. Questions regarding the program should be directed to the listed program officers: Wilson A. Francisco (wfrancis@nsf.gov, 703-292-7856), Anthony G. Garza (aggarza@nsf.gov, 703-292-8440), Manju M. Hingorani (mhingora@nsf.gov, 703-292-7323), or Richard J. Cyr (rcyr@nsf.gov, 703-292-8440).

Ensure compelling transition plan; align with MCB priorities; avoid disease-related proposals.