Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core) | 26 517

Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core) - FAQs

What is the Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core) opportunity?

BIO Core is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity run through the Directorate for Biological Sciences (NSF BIO) that supports foundational and interdisciplinary research in the biological sciences.

What is the main purpose of BIO Core funding?

The purpose is to expand basic knowledge in biology across any level of biological organization, from molecular and cellular studies to ecosystem- and biome-scale research.

What kinds of research topics are appropriate for BIO Core?

The program is intentionally broad. It welcomes proposals aligned with long-standing NSF BIO topic areas (often described as legacy program areas) as well as proposals that pursue emerging or newly developing directions in biological science.

Is BIO Core limited to a specific biological scale (e.g., only molecular or only ecological work)?

No. The opportunity explicitly spans all levels of organization, ranging from molecular and cellular biology through ecosystems and up to biome-scale research.

Does BIO Core support interdisciplinary research?

Yes. BIO Core supports foundational and interdisciplinary biological research.

Can a single investigator apply, or are teams required?

Both are allowed. Applicants may propose single-investigator projects or multi-investigator collaborations.

What kinds of project sizes and durations does BIO Core fund?

The program expects to make awards with a variety of budgets and project lengths. This can include smaller, exploratory projects that test new ideas or generate early evidence, as well as larger or longer-horizon research programs that benefit from sustained support.

How many awards does the program expect to make?

Based on the provided information, the planned overall portfolio is sizable, with an anticipated total of around 300 awards.

Are awards guaranteed if a proposal meets program goals?

No. As with many NSF programs, awards depend on the availability of funds.

Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

Eligibility is limited to specific U.S.-based organization types. The provided information indicates that eligible applicants include: (1) U.S.-accredited institutions of higher education (including two-year and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges), (2) eligible non-profit, non-academic U.S. organizations that are directly connected to education or research (such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies), and (3) Tribal Nations that meet the definition provided in the opportunity description.

Can U.S.-accredited colleges and universities apply, including community colleges?

Yes. U.S.-accredited institutions of higher education are eligible, including two-year and four-year institutions, and community colleges are included.

How are proposals submitted for college/university applicants?

For faculty-based applicants at institutions of higher education, proposals are submitted by the institution on behalf of faculty.

Are non-profit, non-academic organizations eligible?

Yes, if they are U.S.-based and directly connected to education or research activities. Examples provided include independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar entities.

Are Tribal Nations eligible to apply?

Yes. Tribal Nations are eligible, defined as federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribes, bands, nations, pueblos, villages, or communities recognized under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.

Is eligibility restricted to organizations located in the United States?

Yes. The eligible organization types described in the provided information are based in the United States (including U.S.-accredited institutions and U.S.-located non-profit, non-academic organizations).

Is there a special requirement if project work will be done at an international branch campus of a U.S. institution?

Yes. If any project funds would support work at an international branch campus (including through subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain: (1) why activities need to be performed at that international location, (2) what benefits the international location brings to the project, and (3) why the same work cannot reasonably be done at the U.S. campus.

Does the international branch campus requirement apply only to direct funding, or also to subawards and consultants?

It applies to both. The note specifies that it includes support provided via subawards or consultants, not only direct project spending.

What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?

The opportunity metadata provided identifies this as a discretionary grant program in the science and technology/research and development category, CFDA 47.074.

What is the opportunity number listed for BIO Core?

The provided metadata lists the opportunity number as 26 517.

Is there an award ceiling listed?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided text.

What is the closing date, and what does it suggest about the program timeline?

The provided metadata shows an original closing date of 2076-08-17. A closing date far in the future often signals an ongoing or continuously accepted program announcement rather than a single one-time deadline.

Is BIO Core a one-time competition or an ongoing opportunity?

Based on the provided closing date information (2076-08-17) and how such dates are commonly used in listings, it appears more consistent with an ongoing or continuously accepted program announcement than a one-time deadline, though the listing itself should be treated as the source for timing.