A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise

The National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), has released solicitation NSF 23-569 titled A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO). This program seeks to advance the scientific basis of science and innovation policy with a focus on the biomedical sciences. The solicitation emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and broadening participation while drawing on the expertise of the science of science policy research community. It builds upon NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science and education across all fields, and NIH’s mission to support biomedical research that strengthens understanding of biological processes and advances diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The program is designed to fund projects that develop models, analytical tools, data, and metrics that can inform science policy and the structure of the scientific enterprise. By aligning the goals of NSF’s Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate and NIGMS, the program encourages innovative approaches to examining the biomedical research system. The expectation is that funded research will produce a portfolio of high-quality analysis to better understand and improve the biomedical research ecosystem, support a diverse and efficient workforce, and lay a foundation for future leadership in the field. A high priority is placed on proposals that demonstrate interdisciplinary methods and that engage with diverse participants in the research process. Applicants are encouraged to prepare proposals that follow the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, depending on the submission platform chosen. Full proposals must include sections addressing intellectual merit and broader impacts, as well as information about prior NSF or NIH support if applicable. Collaborative proposals may be submitted through Research.gov, and supplementary documents such as leadership plans, data management plans, and letters of collaboration are required when relevant. Applicants are reminded that proposals involving human subjects or vertebrate animals must comply with both NSF and NIH requirements for ethical research practices. Proposals will undergo a joint merit review process that considers both NSF’s intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria and NIH’s review standards, which include significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and research environment. Reviewers will assess the value of proposed projects in advancing the science of science and their potential impact on analyzing and innovating within the biomedical research enterprise. Depending on the review outcome, meritorious proposals may be selected for funding by either NSF or NIH, with subsequent grant administration procedures governed by the awarding agency. Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with program officers prior to submission to confirm project relevance. The program anticipates making between four and eight awards annually, with total available funding of approximately $2,000,000. NIGMS and SBE will each contribute up to $1,000,000, subject to availability of funds and receipt of meritorious proposals. Award sizes are expected to range from $100,000 to $250,000 per year, with project durations of up to four years. Awards may take the form of continuing or standard NSF grants, or NIH R01 projects when funded by NIGMS. Cost sharing is prohibited, and there are no restrictions on the number of proposals an organization or principal investigator may submit. Eligibility is broad, following the general categories outlined in the NSF PAPPG. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible, but there are no other restrictions on who may serve as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, businesses, and state or local governments as defined by the NSF PAPPG. Prospective applicants should review eligibility conditions carefully to ensure compliance. Because no voluntary cost sharing is allowed, applicants should budget accordingly for their projects. The program follows two proposal deadlines each year: September 9 and February 9. These deadlines recur annually. For the current cycle, proposals are due by February 9, 2026. The recurring structure means that unsuccessful applicants may resubmit in future cycles. There are no required pre-application steps such as letters of intent. Standard NSF reporting requirements apply to funded projects, with annual and final reports required through Research.gov. Program contacts include Mary Feeney and Thomas Woodson at NSF, and Kenneth Gibbs at NIGMS, who may be consulted for specific questions or guidance regarding the relevance of proposed projects.