Well Told Grants

Grants / U.S. National Science Foundation / U.S. National Science Foundation

Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core)

Open Closes October 5, 2076 (18237 days left) Opportunity 26-517

U.S. National Science Foundation is offering grants to the applicants described in the notice. It expects to make about 300 awards worth $280 million in total. Applications close on October 5, 2076.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed October 5, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

PostedAugust 17, 2026
DeadlineOctober 5, 2076

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Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the applicants described in the notice.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -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. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.

Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

The U.S. National Science Foundation's Directorate for Biological Sciences (NSF BIO) Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core) funding opportunity supports foundational and interdisciplinary research projects that expand knowledge of biology at any level of organization, from the molecular to the biome scale. We accept proposals that cover scientific topics associated with legacy programs historically supported by NSF BIO and proposals that explore new areas of biological sciences. BIO Core funds single- and multi-investigator awards. The portfolio of awards is anticipated to include a range of budgets and durations, including exploratory projects of smaller scope and long-horizon projects that benefit from longer-term commitment. BIO Core awards are subject to the availability of funds.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

How to apply

  1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov and the agency's announcement. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
  2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
  3. Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.

Questions go to U.S. National Science Foundation, grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, 703-292-4203.

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core)?

U.S. National Science Foundation accepts applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core)?

Closes October 5, 2076 (18237 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

How much funding is available?

About $280 million in total across about 300 awards.

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