The goal of the Undergraduate Biology and Mathematics (UBM) activity is to enhance undergraduate education and training at the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences and to better prepare undergraduate biology or mathematics students to pursue graduate study and careers in fields that integrate the mathematical and biological sciences. The core of the activity is long-term research experiences for interdisciplinarily balanced cohorts of at least four undergraduates. Projects should focus on research at the intersection of the mathematical and biological sciences. Projects should provide students exposure to contemporary mathematics and biology, addressed with modern research tools and methods. That is, projects must be genuine research experiences rather than rehearsals of research methods. Projects must involve students from both areas in collaborative research experiences and include joint mentorship by faculty in both fields. In addition, it is expected that projects will strengthen the research and education capacity, infrastructure, and culture of the participating instituions. To this end, projects should create models for education in the mathematical and biological sciences and influence the direction of academic programs for a broad range of students. UBM is a joint effort of the Education and Human Resources (EHR), Biological Sciences (BIO), and Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) directorates at the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The goal of the Undergraduate Biology and Mathematics (UBM) activity is to enhance undergraduate education and training at the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences and to better prepare undergraduate biology or mathematics students to pursue graduate study and careers in fields that integrate the mathematical and biological sciences. UBM aims to broaden undergraduate research experiences and enhance capacity for, infrastructure in support of, and commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. It is a joint effort of the Education and Human Resources (EHR), Biological Sciences (BIO), and Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) directorates at the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

There has been an explosion of knowledge in the life sciences over the past twenty years that cuts across all levels from molecules to ecosystems. Current research is often characterized by integrative and interdisciplinary approaches. At the center of this explosion of knowledge is a revolution in instrumentation, computational abilities, information systems, and mathematical tools.

There has been a parallel growth in understanding in the mathematical sciences. Theoretical advances in complexity, dynamical systems, and uncertainty, coupled with advances in modeling and in computational methods, have helped mathematicians and statisticians put ideas into action. This has enabled expansion in the use of mathematics and statistics beyond the traditional fields of physical science and engineering. As that expansion has taken hold, the life sciences and other fields are posing new kinds of questions for the mathematical sciences, stimulating further the growth of mathematical ideas.

Thus, the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences is a fertile field for both sets of disciplines, where results in each area lead to advances in the other. However, there are comparatively few people able to work in this intersection. UBM aims to transcend traditional boundaries in educating biological and mathematical scientists. It should expand the community of faculty capable of working at the intersection of the disciplines and better prepare students for more advanced work in both the biological sciences and the mathematical sciences. Projects must involve students from both areas in collaborative research experiences and include joint mentorship by faculty in both fields. Projects should create models for education in the mathematical and biological sciences and influence the direction of academic programs for a broad range of students.

Individually, UBM projects will have a significant impact on the undergraduate programs of participating institutions. Collectively, they will strengthen the nation's research enterprise by providing new mechanisms for attracting a larger, more diverse group of students to careers that involve both the mathematical and biological sciences.

UBM provides opportunities for funding of undergraduate education and training efforts that integrate the biological sciences and mathematical sciences. Such efforts are expected to:

• Be grounded in research activities involving both mathematical and biological sciences;
• Connect to regular academic studies, influencing the direction of academic programs for a broad range of students.
• Involve students from both areas in significant research experiences that connect to research at the intersection of the disciplines; and
• Show commitment to joint mentorship by faculty in both fields.

Proposals of duration of up to five years are invited. We encourage projects of a five year duration. Long-term projects will be reviewed in the third year; fourth- and fifth-year funding will depend on the outcome of this review. Research activities should focus on areas funded by the Division of Mathematical Sciences and the Directorate of Biological Sciences;  NSF does not normally support bioscience research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings or animals.

Within this context, there is room for a variety of possible emphases, ranging from undergraduate research participation, through curriculum and faculty development, as well as internships outside the academic institution. Key characteristics of projects are expected to include:

• Student involvement in innovative research at the forefront of the biological and mathematical sciences;
• Four or more students involved as a cohort, working and learning together;
• Long-term involvement of each student with project activities - more than a semester or a summer - to provide immersion, intense involvement in research, and mutual reinforcement between the research and classroom activities;
• Extensive, interdisciplinary mentoring;
• A diversity of students with attention to ethnic and gender diversity;
• Use of program models to motivate curriculum changes and faculty development;
• The ability to affect programs and students beyond those directly involved in the project.

UBM will include annual meetings of awardees to share information and encourage student/faculty exchanges among awardees. Opportunities for partnering across institutions and for developing international collaborations are welcome. Fieldwork may be appropriate. While the core of UBM research projects and educational activities is the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences, it is open to projects that include other disciplines as appropriate such as the physical sciences, social sciences, computer sciences, and engineering. However, UBM funds can only be used for students or other personnel from the biological or mathematical sciences.

Dissemination of information about project outcomes to a broader audience is also important. UBM aims to create new models for approaches to interdisciplinary education and training. UBM projects should strengthen educational capacity, infrastructure, and culture at participating institutions, as reflected in the number and inclusiveness of participating mentors and students and the quality of their research experience. Educational culture is linked to campus resource investment and to the value placed on participation by mentors in the undergraduate research enterprise by the institution. Educational culture also embraces the fostering of student learning and professional development and an appreciation for the integration of research and education. UBM projects should contribute substantially to an enhanced and sustainable undergraduate educational enterprise that strengthens mathematical training or education for those students studying biology  and interdisciplinary training for those studying mathematics.

The program encourages collaborations that bring together biological and mathematical scientists from associate, baccalaureate, masters, or Ph.D. granting institutions, minority serving institutions, national and regional organizations, and that may involve industrial or government laboratories.