NSF 25-509: Emerging Mathematics in Biology (eMB)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Major Research Instrumentation Program: (MRI) (NSF 27-500). Status: Closes January 29, 2027 (83 days left). It is in our archive of U.S. National Science Foundation notices from 2026.
U.S. National Science Foundation offered grants to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 15 awards worth $6.0 million in total. It is no longer open on Grants.gov.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed August 19, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Total funding$6.0 million
- Expected awards15
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | August 17, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Archived by Grants.gov | August 20, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the money in the 2 programs behind this notice (81% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Emerging Mathematics in Biology (eMB) program seeks to stimulate the development of innovative mathematical theories, techniques, and approaches to investigate challenging questions of great interest to biologists and public health policymakers. It supports truly integrative research projects in mathematical biology that address challenging and significant biological questions through novel applications of traditional, but nontrivial, mathematical tools and methods or the development of new mathematical theories particularly from foundational mathematics, including the mathematical foundation of Artificial Intelligence/Deep Learning/Machine Learning (AI/DL/ML) enabling explainable AI or mechanistic insight. The program emphasizes the uses of mathematical methodologies to advance our understanding of complex, dynamic, and heterogenous biological systems at all scales (molecular, cellular, organismal, population, ecosystems, evolutionary, etc.).
Who has won Mathematical and Physical Sciences grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Mathematical and Physical Sciences (47.049) awarded $8.5 billion across 14,898 grant awards, an average of $568,976 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. | Arizona | 22 | $725 million |
| Associated Universities Inc | Virginia | 18 | $646 million |
| California Institute of Technology | California | 148 | $316 million |
| Cornell University | New York | 179 | $256 million |
| Florida State University | Florida | 92 | $228 million |
Who has won Biological Sciences grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Biological Sciences (47.074) awarded $4.2 billion across 6,885 grant awards, an average of $609,810 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battelle Memorial Institute | Ohio | 8 | $381 million |
| Arizona State University | Arizona | 57 | $108 million |
| Cornell University | New York | 85 | $85.6 million |
| University of Florida | Florida | 100 | $70.6 million |
| Michigan State University Foundation | Michigan | 105 | $67.9 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, NSF 27-500, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is NSF 25-509 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 Emerging Mathematics in Biology (eMB)?
U.S. National Science Foundation accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Emerging Mathematics in Biology (eMB)?
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 15 awards.
Who has won Mathematical and Physical Sciences grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., Associated Universities Inc, California Institute of Technology. The program made 14,898 awards worth $8.5 billion in that time.