BIO - Directorate for Biological Sciences
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Divisions and Programs Biological Infrastructure (DBI)

Environmental Biology (DEB)

Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB)

Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)

Plant Genome Research (PGR)





What's Going on in the BIO Sciences?

About the Directorate

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Funding

Program Opportunities and Deadlines

The Submission Process

Award Listings

Budget Excerpts

About the Directorate for Biological Sciences
Dr. Mary E Clutter, Assistant Director
Dr. Mary E. Clutter, Assistant Director The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) promotes and advances scientific progress in biology largely through grants to colleges, universities and other institutions, especially in those areas where NSF has major responsibility. The Foundation is the nation's principal supporter of fundamental academic research on plant biology, environmental biology and biodiversity.

The BIO budget for FY 2004 is $586.89 million, from which approximately 2,700 awards will be made. Total award size ranges from $5,000 to $4,945,000 over the period of the grant. The median annual research grant size, excluding symposia, conferences and some special competitions, is expected to be about $138,000. The average award duration for research grants is 3.2 years.


Areas of Support

The Directorate for Biological Sciences provides support for research to advance understanding of the underlying principles and mechanisms governing life. Research ranges from the study of the structure and dynamics of biological molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, through cells, organs and organisms, to studies of populations and ecosystems. It encompasses processes that are internal to the organism as well as those that are external, and includes temporal frameworks ranging from measurements in real time through individual life spans, to the full scope of evolutionary time.

  • Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI)
    Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) supports varied activities that provide the infrastructure for contemporary research in biology. These broadly include instrumentation-related activities, research resources, and training opportunities.

  • Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
    The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) supports fundamental research on the origins, functions, relationships, interactions, and evolutionary history of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.

  • Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB)
    The Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) supports research aimed at integrative understanding of organisms as units of biological organization, with particular emphasis on their development, function, behavior, and evolution.

  • Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)
    The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) supports research and related activities that contribute to a fundamental understanding of life processes at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels.

  • Emerging Frontiers (EF) Division
    Emerging Frontiers
    (EF) supports multidisciplinary research and networking activities that arise from advances in disciplinary research.

In addition, BIO oversees the Plant Genome Research Program (PGR). It is part of a national plant genome research initiative established by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The long-term goal of this program is to understand the structure, organization and function of plant genomes important to agriculture, the environment, energy and health.

Support for research and education in the biological sciences is also provided through: early development of academic faculty as both educators and researchers through programs such as Faculty Early Career Development; research workshops, symposia, and conferences; the purchase of scientific research collections; active research participation grants for undergraduates, integrative graduate education and research training, and postdoctoral research fellowships; and, in selected areas, doctoral dissertation improvement grants.

 

The Submission Process
Eligibility
Multiple Principal Investigator Proposals

 

 
*Contact the BIO Webmaster

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Last Modified: Sep 03, '04