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Find similar grantsMolecular Biophysics is sponsored by NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (BIO/MCB). Supports computational and experimental research on the structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules, supermolecular assemblies, and their interactions.
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Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs (MCB) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs (MCB) Archived funding opportunity This document has been archived. See NSF 26-517 for the latest version.
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.
Supports research on living systems at the molecular, subcellular and cellular levels. Core areas supported include cellular dynamics and function; genetic mechanisms; molecular biophysics; and systems and synthetic biology. MCB supports research that promises to uncover the fundamental properties of living systems across atomic, molecular, subcellular, and cellular scales.
The program gives high priority to projects that advance mechanistic understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of molecular, subcellular, and cellular systems, especially research that aims at quantitative and predictive knowledge of complex behavior and emergent properties.
MCB encourages research exploring new concepts in molecular and cellular biology, while incorporating insights and approaches from other scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics, to illuminate principles that govern life at the molecular and cellular level.
MCB also encourages research that exploits experimental and theoretical approaches and utilizes a diverse spectrum of model and non-model animals, plants, and microbes across the tree of life. Proposals that pursue potentially transformative ideas are welcome, even if these entail higher risk.
This solicitation calls for proposals in research areas supported by the four MCB core clusters, including: (i) structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and supramolecular assemblies, especially under physiological conditions ( Molecular Biophysics ); (ii) organization, processing, expression, regulation, and evolution of genetic and epigenetic information ( Genetic Mechanisms ); (iii) cellular structure, properties, and function across broad spatiotemporal scales ( Cellular Dynamics and Function ); and (iv) systems and/or synthetic biology to study complex interactions through modeling or manipulation or design of living systems at the molecular-to-cellular scale ( Systems and Synthetic Biology ).
All MCB clusters prioritize projects that integrate across scales, investigate molecular and cellular evolution, synergize experimental research with computational or mathematical modeling, and/or develop innovative, broadly applicable methods and technologies. Projects that bridge the intellectual edges between MCB clusters are welcome.
Projects that integrate molecular and cellular biosciences with other subdisciplines of biology are also welcome through the new Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) track. Regarding health-related challenges, NSF supports basic research in all areas of the biological sciences and recognizes that this foundational research is likely to impact many different areas, including human health.
MCB celebrates all the biological science discoveries funded through MCB awards that have had major impacts on health, environment, energy, food production, and other applications.
Nevertheless, research focused exclusively on understanding human diseases and their treatment is normally outside of the scope of funding and will be returned without review unless that research significantly advances other fields such as engineering, computer science, or the mathematical and physical sciences.
December 18, 2025 - NSF BIO Virtual Office Hour: Updates from the NSF… March 8, 2023 - New MCB Solicitation for Core Programs Funded as part of this Program Cellular Dynamics and Function Designing Synthetic Cells and Cellular Components (Designer Cells) Leveraging Innovations From Evolution (LIFE) Systems and Synthetic Biology Tool Development for Molecular and Cell Biology (Tools4Cells) Additional program resources Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (BIO/MCB)
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Project Description addressing both NSF merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit (potential to advance knowledge, creative and original concepts, qualified team, sound methodology, adequate resources) and Broader Impacts (benefit to society, STEM workforce development, public engagement, improved infrastructure, economic competitiveness)
Broader Impacts statement — describe how the proposed activity benefits society or advances desired societal outcomes
Data Management and Sharing Plan — describe how research data will be managed and shared
Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (required if postdoctoral researchers are supported) — describe mentoring activities
Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan (required for off-campus/off-site research, max 2 pages): describe field setting and unique challenges, steps for establishing a harassment-free environment, team communication processes minimizing singular points of failure, and organizational mechanisms for reporting and resolving harassment issues
[IntBIO track] Graphical illustration showing integration of research across BIO sub-disciplines
[IntBIO track] Clearly describe and justify team member roles and complementary expertise
[IntBIO track] Training/education plan for integrative research approaches (included within Broader Impacts section)
[EXPAND MCB track] Capacity-building plan with long-term institutional benefits (included within Broader Impacts section); proposal title must begin with 'EXPAND:'
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Universities, Nonprofits, State/local governments, Individuals. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Molecular Biophysics is funded by NSF Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (BIO/MCB). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
The solicitation lists 9 required documents: Project Description (PAPPG guidelines apply), Budget and Budget Justification, Broader Impacts statement, Biographical Sketches for Key Personnel, Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources description, and Data Management and Sharing Plan, among others (the full list is in the Required Documents section on this page). Check the official notice for formatting and page-limit rules.
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MGPV Travel Grant is sponsored by Geological Society of America (GSA), Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, Volcanology Division. MGPV Travel grants support student travel to the annual GSA meeting. Applications are restricted to active graduate or undergraduate students who are the presenting authors of an accepted abstract at the annual GSA meeting.
Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) - 2025: A.4 Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science is sponsored by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD). This omnibus research funding opportunity includes various program elements, with rolling submissions for Earth Science research through August 2026. Proposers to Earth Science using the NASA Center for Climate Simulation high-end computing facility must include specific budget details.
NSF 26-517 replaces the core solicitations of Environmental Biology, Integrative Organismal Systems and Molecular and Cellular Biosciences with a single directorate-wide opportunity. Proposals are accepted anytime, sorted centrally by NSF rather than targeted by the PI, and reorganized under three inquiry areas. Here is what the $280 million actually buys, why the loss of program targeting cuts both ways, and what to do before the September 16 webinar.
Read articleTCUP lists eight funding tracks and roughly $10.3M a year, but the October 14, 2026 deadline applies to only three of them — CHAI, Pre-TI, and TCUP Partnerships — and each carries a restriction that disqualifies most applicants. Here is the track-by-track math.
Read articleNSF 26-513 makes roughly $100 million available for up to 10 State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs at $4M to $12M each over five years. One award per state or multi-state region. One proposal per organization. And NSF is not buying you GPUs — it funds the coordination, the workforce and the faculty training, while the compute has to come from partners you have to already have.
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