Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers conducting computational and mathematical research that advances biological sciences. Applicants include university faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research teams at accredited academic institutions. The National Science Foundation and NIH jointly fund this initiative. Work must integrate mathematics or computer science with biological or biomedical research questions. Domestic institutions and U.S. citizens or permanent residents are typically eligible.
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Program description
The Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS)in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) at the National Science Foundation (NSF)and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)plan to support fundamental research in mathematics and statistics necessary to answer questions in the biological and biomedical sciences. Both agencies recognize the need to promote research at the interface between mathematical and life sciences. This program is designed to encourage new collaborations, as well as to support innovative activities by existing teams.
The joint DMS/NIGMS initiative offers two submission tracks: Track 1 – for projects with a total budget of up to $600,000 for an award duration of 3 years, and Track 2 – for projects with a total budget of up to $1,200,000 for an award duration of 3-4 years.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project Narrative (research goals, methodology, significance)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches of key personnel
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Letters of collaboration (if applicable)
- Facilities and Equipment description
- Data Management Plan
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.859 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$59,464,779
-
$57,271,194
-
$56,019,458
-
$54,912,096
-
$53,329,877
-
$52,858,544
-
$52,347,059
-
$52,026,661
-
$50,897,104
-
$49,349,731
Top States by Funding
- ME 4 awards $143.3M
- MS 4 awards $135.1M
- NY 5 awards $131.6M
- CA 5 awards $129.3M
- RI 4 awards $126.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.859). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,085,929,426 | |
| 2025 | $3,092,472,727 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,093,422,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Faculty, postdocs, and graduate student-led teams at accredited U.S. universities and research institutions. International collaborators may be included but principal investigators must be U.S.-based.
What types of projects are funded?
Research that bridges mathematics, statistics, or computer science with biological or biomedical sciences. Examples include computational biology, mathematical modeling of biological systems, and data-driven biological research.
What is the typical funding range?
NSF research grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 over 2-3 years, though amounts vary by discipline and project scope.
How competitive is this program?
Very competitive. Success rates for NSF grants average 20-25%. Strong preliminary data and innovative methodology are essential.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is September 18, 2026. Check the NSF website for additional solicitation cycles and any updates to timelines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of your work. Show clear connections between the math/computation and biology.
- Include preliminary results or proof-of-concept data demonstrating feasibility of your approach.
- Build in collaboration between mathematical and biological scientists if your team lacks either expertise.
- Use clear visualizations (diagrams, charts) to explain complex mathematical models to reviewers with varying backgrounds.
- Start writing 3-4 months before the deadline. NSF applications are thorough and require multiple rounds of revision.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear biological motivation for the mathematical approach or fail to explain why standard methods are insufficient. Teams underestimate the work required; budget and timeline should realistically reflect a rigorous, multi-disciplinary project. Weak preliminary results or insufficient evidence that the team can execute both the math and biology components.
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