Funding Opportunities for Science and Engineering Research with Impact on Women's Health

Funding Opportunities for Science and Engineering Research with Impact on Women's Health is sponsored by NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements . All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects.

This document has been archived. Encourages research and education proposals related to women's health topics, from the molecular to the ecosystem level, including input from the full range of science, engineering and education that NSF supports.

Encourages research and education proposals related to women's health topics, from the molecular to the ecosystem level, including input from the full range of science, engineering and education that NSF supports.

With this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), in response to the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research , the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) encourages the submission of research and education proposals related to women's health. Despite making up more than half of the population, women are historically understudied and underrepresented in health research.

The historical exclusion of women from scientific and biomedical research studies, combined with the undervaluation of research that advances knowledge on conditions that uniquely, differentially, or disproportionately affect women, has resulted in significant knowledge and health gaps. Addressing these research gaps will ultimately advance the health, prosperity, and welfare of all.

NSF continues to support fundamental science and engineering research with implications for women's health. This DCL reaffirms NSF's commitment to fund discovery, innovation, and research translation on topics of relevance to women's health, from the molecular to the ecosystem level, including input from the full range of science, engineering, and education that NSF supports.

Pioneering the next generation of discoveries in women's health will require a sustained effort focusing on the socioeconomic impact of women's health, breaking down disciplinary boundaries in carrying out the necessary research to advance understanding of relevant questions, and building a diverse STEM workforce committed to advancing women's health and the health of a citizens.

The National Science Foundation encourages the submission of fundamental research and education proposals related to women's health topics, including, but not limited to, proposals in the following areas: Projects that develop a well-informed citizenry and a diverse and capable STEM workforce that will pioneer the next generation of discoveries in women's health.

Science and engineering approaches and novel computational models that elucidate factors that interact with and impact women's health, such as studies that examine the genetic, epigenetic, biological, economic, societal, and environmental determinants of women's health and cognition.

Holistic approaches to women's health and development, including aging, by moving beyond diagnostics and disease management to include novel methods for discovery and monitoring. This includes, but is not limited to, wearable devices, and other types of sensing and imaging technologies that improve early detection, as well as telehealth platforms that broaden accessibility and promote women's health.

Foundational and transformative research that advances our understanding of engineering biomechanics and/or mechanobiology related to women's health. Advanced biomanufacturing of cells, tissues, or organs relevant to women's health. Engineering research that advances the understanding of injury mechanisms and rehabilitation technologies for health conditions and disabilities that affect women.

Development of validated models (living or computational) of healthy and pathological cells, tissues, and organ systems relevant to women's health that improve the understanding of these systems. Projects on novel computational approaches (i.e. multi-level and multiscale data, sensing, prediction) that examine the effects of women's health on mental and physical development across the life span and that support health decision making.

Projects that foster partnerships with government, industry, nonprofits, civil society, and communities of practice to leverage, energize, and rapidly bring to society use-inspired research and innovation that may include, but are not limited to, innovations that enable fundamental research of women's health topics, and breakthrough technologies designed for women.

Transdisciplinary approaches to environmental change challenges and opportunities to improve understanding of climate, environment, and health pathways to protect and promote women's health, such as research that elucidates mechanisms and/or prevention of pollution transport/exposure implicated in adverse health outcomes.

Studies that assess theories and models of health, aging, disease, and disease transmission at multiple scales (populational, generational, transgenerational, and geographical), from the molecular to the ecosystem level, including the interaction of environment on molecular scale phenomena.

Research that seeks to advance knowledge about the processes that shaped biological diversity in living and ancient human species such as effects of life history transitions on women's health; intergenerational effects of violence, stress, and maternal health; and impacts of biocultural context on women's health, reproduction, and epigenetics.

Research to advance theory on design and management of organizations such as how gendered aging symptoms may affect women's experience at work and in other environments.

Research and research infrastructure to advance basic knowledge in bias, prejudice, and discrimination directed toward women as well as the intersection of gender and other identities; dynamics of close interpersonal relationships and women's health; and power in relationships. NSF welcomes proposals that broaden geographic and demographic participation to engage the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM.

Proposals from minority-serving institutions , emerging research institutions , primarily undergraduate institutions, two-year colleges, and institutions in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions , along with collaborations between these institutions and those in non-EPSCoR jurisdictions, are encouraged.

Susan Marqusee, Assistant Director Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Dilma Da Silva, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Susan Margulies, Assistant Director Directorate for Engineering (ENG) James Luther Moore, Assistant Director Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) C.

Denise Caldwell, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Kendra Sharp, Office Head Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) Alicia Knoedler, Office Head Office of Integrated Activities (OIA) Sylvia M.

Butterfield, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Office of International Science and Engineering (OD/OISE) Office of Integrative Activities (OD/OIA)