# Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/20-505-transitions-to-excellence-in-molecular-and-cellular/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359375

> U.S. National Science Foundation offered grants to any type of organization. It expected to make about 8 awards worth $6.0 million in total. It is no longer open on Grants.gov.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | 20-505 |
| Agency | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | not set |
| Award ceiling | not stated |
| Award floor | $750,000 |
| Expected awards | 8 |
| Total funding | $6.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 47.074 |

## Who can apply

- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

## What the grant funds

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) has developed a new opportunity to enable researchers with a strong track record of prior accomplishment to pursue a new avenue of research or inquiry. This funding mechanism is designed to facilitate and promote a PI’s ability to effectively adopt empowering technologies that might not be readily accessible in the PI’s current research environment or collaboration network. Transformative research likely spans disciplines and minimizing the practical barriers to doing so will strengthen research programs poised to make significant contributions. The award is intended to allow mid-career or later-stage researchers (Associate or Full Professor, or equivalent) to expand or make a transition in their research programs via a sabbatical leave or similar mechanism of professional development and then develop that research program in their own lab. This award will also enable the PI to acquire new scientific or technical expertise, facilitate the investigator’s competitiveness, and potentially lead to transformational impacts in molecular and cellular bioscience. The award would fund up to six months of PI salary during the first sabbatical or professional development year, followed by support for continued research for two subsequent years upon the PI’s return to normal academic duties. Through this solicitation MCB and NSF hope to develop a novel mechanism that will encourage investigators to expand and/or transition to new research areas aligned with MCB priorities, to increase retention of investigators in science, and to ensure a diverse scientific workforce that remains engaged in active research. Highest funding priority is given to proposals that have outstanding intellectual merit and broader impacts, while proposals with weaknesses in either category (or those that are perceived as likely to have an incremental impact) will not be competitive. Proposals should also demonstrate a strong record of prior accomplishment, a compelling plan for professional development that will enable the PI to forge a new direction in their scholarship, and a strong rationale for why this support is needed for the PI to become competitive in the new research area. Support for the proposed transition from the PI’s department, described in a letter from the department chair or equivalent, will also be required. Proposals that do not describe a plan for a transition in research direction will be considered unresponsive.

## Questions people ask

### Is NSF 20-505 still open?

No. It is no longer open on Grants.gov. A newer notice is open: NSF 27-500, closes January 29, 2027 (83 days left).

### Who can apply for Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research?

U.S. National Science Foundation accepted applications from any type of organization.

### What is the deadline for Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research?

Closed. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

About $6.0 million in total across about 8 awards.

### Who has won Biological Sciences grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Battelle Memorial Institute, Arizona State University, Cornell University. The program made 6,885 awards worth $4.2 billion in that time.