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Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core)

Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation

Assistance Listings
  • 47.074 -- Biological Sciences

Open opportunityLast Updated: Oct 5, 2026

Important dates

  • Closing: October 5, 2076

    Proposals accepted anytime

Award details

  • Expected project funding: $280,000,000
  • Expected awards: 300

Award min.

$500,000

Award max.

Not specified

  • Funding opportunity number:26-517
  • Cost sharing or matching requirement:No
  • Funding instrument type:
    • Grant
  • Opportunity Category:Discretionary
  • Opportunity Category Explanation:Not specified
  • Category of Funding Activity:
    • Science technology and other research and development
  • Category Explanation:Not specified

History

  • Posted date: August 17, 2026
  • Archive date: Not specified
  • Version: 3

View version history on Grants.gov

Summary

The U.S. National Science Foundation's Directorate for Biological Sciences (NSF BIO) Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core) funding opportunity supports foundational and interdisciplinary research projects that expand knowledge of biology at any level of organization, from the molecular to the biome scale. We accept proposals that cover scientific topics associated with legacy programs historically supported by NSF BIO and proposals that explore new areas of biological sciences.

BIO Core funds single- and multi-investigator awards. The portfolio of awards is anticipated to include a range of budgets and durations, including exploratory projects of smaller scope and long-horizon projects that benefit from longer-term commitment. BIO Core awards are subject to the availability of funds.

Eligibility

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information on eligibility

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.

Documents

No documents are currently available.

Agency contact information

Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.

NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Link to additional information

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